Learning to Talk with God - Pt. 5

 

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. (Psalm 51:1-12 ESV).

 

Through the years I have had many conversations with people about the “right” posture of prayer. Should you be standing, kneeling, bowing, face-down or face up? Do you close your eyes, or keep them open? Do you fold your hands, or hold them with palms open? I’m afraid I’ve become less tolerant with such frivolous inquiries inwardly than when I was a bit younger. My inclination is to simply, quietly answer, “Doesn’t really matter how your physical position is if your inward position is not correct. Get your heart right and everything else will be right!

 

The Bible teaches that God rejects the proud and the arrogant. But God listens to the prayers of believers who approach him with a humble and contrite heart. Approaching God with a humble and repentant heart, though, does not imply groveling. Coming before God with meekness, we confess that we have sinned and have fallen short of his glory. Our humility is an appeal for forgiveness. It’s an acknowledgment of our utter need and total dependence. Ultimately, it’s a plea that we need Jesus.

 

Through Jesus’ death on the cross, we receive God’s grace. So, with humility and a contrite spirit, we can boldly enter into God’s very presence with our prayers. God does not despise our humble repentance. So whether you pray standing up, on your knees, seated, with your hands folded, or however you happen to approach God, do so with a humble and contrite heart!