Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously. Daniel 6:10 NIV
I had the privilege of rooming with one of the former influential pastors, EJ James, in our city at a pastors prayer retreat nearly 20 years ago. He passed away last year. I had just started our new church plant and was young in the role as senior pastor.
EJ and I talked about our wives, families and ministry while in the room together. I shared how my wife and I start most days with the verse “this is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.” I will never forget his humble and penetrating response, “My wife and I kneel before our bed every night and pray for our children and their families.” He added no commentary or justification to the comment. It was as if he invited me into the bedroom to share the intimacy of the moment when we kneel our bodies and hearts before the Lord.
Kneeling in prayer for worship is a common act in cultures all over the world. It is an outward expression of an inner disposition. It is true that you can kneel while still standing up on the inside, but normally it reveals honor and surrender.
Kneeling brings us close to the dust from which we were made. Kneeling decreases our importance and exalts the one to whom we pray. Kneeling places us in the most vulnerable position before the one to whom we kneel. It is from this position that it forces us to look up for help.
There are physical reasons that a person may not be able to kneel down any longer, but the action is mostly available to all. The bending of the will is so very difficult, we struggle with humbling ourselves.
When was the last time that you knelt down and asked for the Lord’s help?
You can pray in any position, why do you think kneeling is overlooked as one of the common expressions in your tools of prayer?
Kneeling doesn’t make you more spiritual than someone else, but it is a great position to beg and entreat God on behalf of others. Don’t let pride or cynicism rob you of the joy of meeting with God while you are low, broken and contrite.
Pastor EJ didn’t have to use eloquent words that day in the room to express where he gained spiritual authority. Jesus’ words still ring true, “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:14
May you become very familiar with kneeling prayer such as the custom of Daniel who knelt and prayed 3 times a day. May God’s presence meet you intimately, while you worship and kneel before the Lord your maker.
Blessings Love y’all