The Storyteller: The Pharisee and the Tax Collector Day 5

The Posture of Prayer

Meanwhile the tax man, slumped in the shadows, his face in his hands, not daring to look up, said… Luke 18: 11, 13 MSG

I tell you, he went down to his house made righteous, Luke 18:14 Dr. Kenneth Bailey translation

What’s your posture in prayer? Do you pose reverently over your table in the restaurant so wait staff must take note. Do you curl down on your knees closing into a fetal position before your Creator in your prayer corner?

Jesus describes posture in this story, but the point is not the posture but what is in the heart. The widow in our story last week taught us to come with a courageous confident heart. The tax collector teaches us to come with a humble and hopeful heart.

In a social setting we often shape our posture based on the position we think we occupy. Our posture subtly shifts in the presence of those with power compared to the presence of those with none.

How does posture and position enter your practice of prayer? Try a new prayer posture to see how it shapes the heart of your prayers.

After your prayers, after you’ve heard Jesus’ assurance of mercy for the humble at heart, consider how that good news adjusts your posture in life towards others.