Chapter 32—Proper Attitude in Prayer
I have received letters questioning me in regard to the proper
attitude to be taken by a person offering prayer to the Sovereign of
the universe. Where have our brethren obtained the idea that they
should stand upon their feet when praying to God? One who has been
educated for about five years in Battle Creek was asked to lead in
prayer before Sister White should speak to the people. But as I beheld
him standing upright upon his feet while his lips were about to open
in prayer to God, my soul was stirred within me to give him an open
rebuke. Calling him by name, I said, “Get down upon your knees.”
This is the proper position always.
“And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and
kneeled down, and prayed” (
Luke 22:41
).
“Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and
turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes:
and when she saw Peter, she sat up” (
Acts 9:40
).
“They stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus,
receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice,
Lord, lay not this sin to their
[312]
charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep” (
Acts 7:59, 60
).
“When he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with
them all” (
Acts 20:36
).
“When we had accomplished those days, we departed and went
our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children,
till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and
prayed” (
Acts 21:5
).
“At the evening sacrifice I arose up from my heaviness; and having
rent my garment and my mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out
my hands unto the Lord my God, and said, O my God, I am ashamed
and blush to lift up my face to Thee, my God: for our iniquities are
increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens”
(
Ezra 9:5, 6
).
284