Kneeling To Pray The Best Way?

[Bini]

As a child I was taught that you bow your head, fold your arms and kneel when praying. Of course, not everyone can "kneel" but as a whole this was the preferred method when talking to the Lord. In my primary days, I remember "reverence" specifically being tied to praying. At home with my family, we all knelt to pray before dinner and at bedtime I would do the same thing with my mum or dad beside me. So kneeling to pray was very much ingrained on me early on. When I started to become inactive I did less kneeling and less praying. I eventually got to the point where I felt that kneeling and praying was far too much of a hassle - and stopped all together.

So anyway, this year I started praying again. But rarely on my knees or even in a reverent manner.. It's usually "pray-on-the-go" as I'm halfway out the door or already in my car driving. Why? Because I'm out of the good habit of talking to the Lord and I forget - only to remember - at the last minute! I really should make a Post-It note and stick it to my bathroom mirror reminding me to go back into the bedroom and pray properly. Even so, I know that I'll forget something and I'll end up praying while right in the middle of doing something.. Again, not so reverent.

I'm wondering if kneeling to pray is something all LDS people follow as a general rule? As I've got older, I realise that kneeling in reverence isn't always possible but then again, finding time to talk with the Lord in a quiet place is a whole other issue. And I can't say that it isn't possible to find a few moments in my day to do this. I know it's always welcomed to ask for guidance and or strength at any time, regardless, of where you may be. But a apart of me still feels a bit guilty when I pray this way. Wouldn't you consider this to be a bad habit as opposed to praying in reverence?

OK, now I'm just mumbling. But I have been thinking about this today, yesterday and the day before.. On a positive note! My husband has started to pray with me in the evenings (when we remember!) and a few nights ago he offered and said the prayer :] So I think we're making progress..

[Misshalfway]

I actually think the Lord wants all kinds of communications from us. I don't like kneeling as my legs tend to fall asleep :), but there is a humbling and a vulnerability that happens to my heart when I do kneel and pray vocally. Sometimes I feel like a dork. Other times I feel like I am literally talking to my Father.

I love the praying in the heart concept. I love talking to God in my thoughts through out the day. But I am finding power in the formal stuff too even though I admit I am not consistent with it.

[Connie]

A few years back Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve gave a talk in General Conference on prayer in which he said, "Physical position is less important than is spiritual submission to God." You can read that talk here: LDS.org - Ensign Article - Sweet Power of Prayer

I was watching an old Disney movie recently with my children called The Three Lives of Thomasina. At one point in the movie this guy has a conversation with his pastor that really struck me. I typed it out.

Pastor: Pray for God's help and mercy.

Andrew: Pray.

Pastor: Yes, pray, because if ever there was a man in need of mercy it is you.

Andrew: You know i'm not one for praying, for goin' down on my knees.

Pastor: Well pray on your feet, man! It's what's in your heart and mind that matters, not whether you kneel or not. Though that would be good for your soul! It's this stubborn pride of yours that has made you live inside yourself so long.

Andrew: I've forgotten how to pray. I can't do it. I can't feel the need for it.

Pastor: Humble yourself, Andrew. Humble yourself.

[lattelady]

Connie, I loved those lines from the movie. So great to think about...

I've sometimes found myself feeling like "I've forgotten how to pray," or found myself afraid that praying has become just one more thing on my checklist of things to do. But it's not. I know it's a lifeline. I agree with what's already been posted: the posture of my body is less important than the condition of my spirit--is it humble? And for me, I have to ask myself: am I really being HONEST with God about whatever it is I'm praying about or for? Sometimes I try to make everything sound so perfect instead of just being vulnerable and recognizing: He already knows my heart--He just wants the truth from me. I'm learning to love prayer for what it's teaching me about Him, not for what I get from Him. He's so good!

[ploomf]

I don't know if there is a best way to pray but I pray in all sort of positions. Standing up, sitting down, kneeling down, laying down, basically whatever position I happen to be in when I feel the need to pray. I thought of this while I was reading this thread, it’s always made me laugh.

"The Prayer of Cyrus Brown"

"The proper way for a man to pray,"

Said Deacon Lemuel Keyes,

"And the only proper attitude

Is down upon his knees."

"No, I should say the way to pray,

Said Reverend Doctor Wise,

"Is standing straight with outstretched arms

And rapt and upturned eyes."

"Oh, no, no, no," said Elder Slow,

"Such posture is too proud:

A man should pray with eyes fast closed

And head contritely bowed."

"It seems to me his hands should be

Austerely clasped in front,

With both thumbs pointing toward the ground,"

Said Reverend Doctor Blunt.

"Las' year I fell in Hodgkin's well

Headfirst," said Cyrus Brown,

"With both my heels a stickin' up,

My head a-pinting down;

"An' I made prayer right then an' there,

Best prayer I ever said,

The prayingest prayer I ever prayed,

A-standing on my head."

[Mason]

Early Christians generally prayed standing with head slightly bowed. No idea if their eyes were closed. Does it matter?

Probably not.

[Moksha]

The Melevi order of the Sufis pray while whirling in a circle.

My preferred way is in a Laz-E-Boy recliner with my eyes closed and my hands in the lotus position, but then again I imagine most people prefer this way as well.

[Bini]

Moksha, that method of praying does sound very tempting! Only, I lack the Laz-E-Boy :[

[annewandering]

Well Bini you need to repent and go get a nice laz-e-boy!!!