For Christian Prayer

While practicing the habit of privately praying upward

to God in intimate worship and adoration, standing

is by far the best posture for keeping up abiding oneness. Above

all else, because the Bible tells us to stand, we should be curious

enough to bring our understanding of the procedure in line

with this powerful truth. The humanistic viewpoint that standing

is irrelevant should be regarded as without merit, for it has

no solid biblical support. If you are in opposition to the question

of “standing and praying,” you shall have the opportunity

to investigate the subtle leading of Old Testament and New Testament

prophets, apostles, angels, saints, and Christ Himself as

they lay witness to God’s design.

Private praying in adoration of God while standing is the

proper protocol before the Father and the Prince of peace, Jesus

Christ! If you are not sure of this truth, I will say that you are

not alone in your questions, strong concerns, or—for some—

denial of the efficacy of standing and praying intimately the

private prayer God longs for.

 

156 • THE TABERNACLE

There are many who disagree, so it is right that we lay the

proper historical foundation from a basis settled long ago in

Jewish tradition. Most of us who read these materials are Gentiles,

needing only to pause and reflect that we too have been

grafted into the olive tree (the Jewish tradition and teaching).

We too, therefore, are bound up in and by these truths to understand

and receive our mercies, grace, and adherence to ancient

statute and testimony.

It will be to our advantage to discover together as much

as we can concerning the Word of God as it reveals a history

of “standing.” This controversial subject is wonder-filled and

lightning-hot. It should be that way, for it is a sad reality that

the twenty-first-century man has lost his sense of propriety, his

plumb for proper prayer. The prayer of praise, worship, and the

hallowing of God’s name is a mysterious step into the throne

room in heaven itself. This posture will support the ablest form

of presentation of one’s spiritual self at court. The Greek word

for this sort of formality, as we have said, is prosago. This term

speaks of the One who comes into court alongside His dependent,

His friend, and presents the subject to the King.

Because it is unfamiliar, as we view this celebration, we come

with our fear of acceptance and belonging. We are not the ones

coming to court on a regular basis, so we are struck to our knees,

bowing, kneeling, and groveling when we do come. We have

little biblical basis to rely on concerning the proper approach to

a distant God we may view as strict within a relational setting.

Consider a scene out of a movie depicting a young man

courting a young lady in her home for the first time. The father

looks down his nose at the youngster who is trying to be bright

and proper, forgetting that in a short time he will be the son

 

THE WATCH • 157

of the master. We are the sons and daughters of the King who

delights at our appearance, whose desire is that we stand with

the family, members of the family, one with the royal order.

You did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear,

but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry

out, “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15).

Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of

His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”

Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if

a son, then an heir of God through Christ (Galatians

4:6–7).

Standing is a must for the ones who understand the enemy’s

view, for it is Satan who has his methods of entering the mind with

lies, often begun with good thoughts of the well-being of others,

soon spoiling and carrying one off into the futility of the mind.

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the

earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ

in God (Colossians 3:2–3).

While attentive to God, a wandering mind soon yields

to thought-life snares that neutralize the progress of bringing

our sacrifice, our holy praise to the Father. Having made these

points, we acknowledge that “praying privately” could be done

in any other position under the sun. God will always accept

your offering at whichever station you have reached, that place

which you are best capable of bringing Him love. If you are

 

158 • THE TABERNACLE

more comfortable praising Him on your knees, go for it. Prayer,

praise, and worship are spiritual; we are called to pray and worship

in the Spirit.