Prayer

Is there a special posture we should have when we pray?

No. We should always be thoughtful, humble, reverent and sincere when we pray, but there is no special posture required in order for us to pray in a way that pleases God. We may bow, kneel, sit, stand, raise our hands, or lie prostrate on the ground when praying. Many people, however, feel that kneeling in prayer is a special sign of sincerity and reverence and therefore usually kneel when they pray in private and often in public as well.

Scripture References

I desire then that in every place the men should pray. (1 Timothy 2:8)

I . . . fell upon my knees and spread out my hands to the LORD my God. (Ezra 9:5-6)

The tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” (Luke 18:13)

[The king] bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD, worshiping the LORD. (2 Chronicles 20:18)

He [Jesus] fell on his face and prayed. (Matthew 26:39)

Now as Solomon finished offering all this prayer and plea to the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD, where he had knelt with hands outstretched toward heaven. (1 Kings 8:54)

Is it appropriate to pray directly to Jesus and to the Holy Spirit as well as to the Father?

Yes. The resurrected and ascended Jesus is reigning as the ruler over the entire universe and is always willing to listen when we pray. The Holy Spirit is our comforter and guide and the one who enables us to live a Christian life. He also hears us when we pray. The Christian church has therefore produced a number of hymns of petition or praise which are specifically directed to Jesus or to the Holy Spirit.

Scripture References

Jesus said, “If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” (John 14:14)

As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” (Acts 7:59)

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness . . . the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches our hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints [believers] according to the will of God. (Romans 8:26-27)

Does God hear and answer our prayers?

Absolutely! He hears and answers all the prayers of those who pray according to his will. However, he does not always answer our prayers in the way that we personally would choose or desire. At times his response may be “No” and at other times his response may be “Not now.” Sometimes he may give us something much better than we had asked for, even though we may not understand immediately why it is better. But whatever his answer might be, we may be confident that our prayers are always heard. (See also questions 10 and 11.)

Scripture References

This is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. (1 John 5:14)

Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8)

Jesus said, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7)

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. (James 5:16)