Like most areas of religion, we all have ideas about the proper way to pray.
Over the years I’ve heard a lot of ideas espoused from the pulpit and even more ingrained ideas from laity on this subject. Similar to many other subjects in the church, the laity typically reflect what they’ve been taught a bit less crisp than the original. And, many times, the original was not so brightly polished before being delivered from the pulpit.
In my opinion, the number 1 rule of prayer is simple: pray from the heart.
Matthew 12:34b tells us:
- KJV – “for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”
- NIV – “For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”
- NKJV – “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”
An earnest prayer from a forgiven heart is truly effective.
Here’s my favorite poem on the “proper” way to pray.
The Prayer of Cyrus Brown
By Sam Walter Foss (1858–1911)“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
Head first,” said Cyrus Brown,
“With both my heels a-stickin’ up,
My head a-p’inting down;“An’ I made a prayer right then an’ there—
Best prayer I ever said,
The prayingest prayer I ever prayed,
A-standing on my head.”
AWS
