OUR DAILY BREAD : POSTURES OF THE HEART

[cimi]

SUNDAY JUNE 11


POSTURES OF THE HEART

TODAY’S READING
2 Chron. 6:7-9, 12-15
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[Solomon] knelt
in front of the
entire community
of Israel and lifted
his hands toward
heaven [and] he
prayed.
2 chronicles 6:13-14 NLT
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When my husband plays the harmonica for our church praise team, I have noticed that he sometimes closes his eyes when he plays a song. He says this helps him focus and block out distractions so he can play his best__just his harmonica, the music, and him__all praising God.

Some people wonder if our eyes must be closed when we pray. Since we can pray at any time in any place, however, it might prove difficult to always close our eyes__especially if we are taking a walk, pulling weeds, or driving a vehicle!

There are also no rules on what position our body must be in when we talk to God. When King Solomon prayed to dedicate the temple he had built, he knelt down and “spread out his hands toward heaven” (2 CHRON. 6:13-14). Kneeling (EPH. 3:14), standing (LUKE 18:10-13), and even lying face down (MATT. 26:39) are all mentioned in the Bible as positions for prayer.

Wheter we kneel or stand before God, whether we lift our hands heavenward or close our eyes so we can better focus on God__it is not the posture of our body, but of our heart that is important. Everything we do “flows from [our heart]” (PROV. 4:23). When we pray, may our hearts always be bowed in adoration, gratitude, and humility to our loving God, for we know that His eyes are “open and [His] ears attentive to the prayers” of His people (2 CHRON. 6:40).
__Cindy Hess Kasper

**Lord, direct my focus always toward You and teach me to follow You in
obedience and love.
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The highest form of prayer comes from the depths of a humble heart.