God’s Word for You
Daniel 6:10b Pray continually
by Pastor Timothy Smith on Friday, October 31, 2025
Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.
We have considered the posture of the heart in prayer, which approaches God the Father in prayer in the name of Jesus Christ. It is also fitting and proper to pray directly to each of the persons of the Holy Trinity, each in sequence as we often do in the Prayer of the Church that follows the sermon, or individually, such as in the common table prayer, “Come, Lord Jesus.” But now we also consider the posture or position of the body, especially to pray on one’s feet or knees, with hands raised or fingers folded, with head bowed, tilted, or not, and with eyes open or closed.
The quickest answer is that none of these things are required, and none is better or worse than any of the others. Christian freedom allows us to pray in whatever manner seems best, and this might change or be different depending upon the circumstances.
Yet each of these things has various merits. Raising the hands or arms was an ancient way of praying. “May the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice” (Psalm 141:2). It was a way of picturing the prayer ascending to God. Our posture of folding the hands comes, I suppose, from table and bedside prayers, where we want to occupy our hands and the busy fingers of our little ones with nothing but the prayer and not (for example) with grasping a fork or a spoon. Since folding the hands has become a long habit with most of us, it may distract some people to see hands raised. Also, for many Christians, seeing people raising their hands in prayer has the feel of a music concert, and can seem a little “showy.” But enough about that.
Daniel prayed on his knees. This recalls Elijah’s prayer on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:42). The Apostles prayed this way (Acts 9:40). It is a way of showing submission and subservience to God (Psalm 95:6). Many people receive the Lord’s Supper in this way, until arthritis prevents them. My grandmother was hurt and embarrassed when this happened to her (at about my age now) but we can comfort such friends and family with the account of Jacob, who in some way bowed himself to worship the Lord and pray to him while sitting in his bed (Genesis 47:31). Luther says: “Jacob demonstrates his piety and respect with whatever gesture he can, and although the weakness of his members makes it impossible for him to bend his knees, he nevertheless moves his head somehow or other and bends toward his bed” (LW 8:144).
Luther also applied this to the way that we also stand when we approach the Lord’s table for the Lord’s Supper, when we baptize, when we receive the forgiveness of sins and when ministers pronounce that forgiveness, and “yes, even at the reading of the promises or the text of the Gospel—we should bend our knees or at least stand as a sign of our adoration or reverence and gratitude.” Now this is excellent and pious, and a mark of faith, but ultimately we are free to do or not to do these things, especially when age or infirmity keeps us from doing them.
Yet the opposite of standing, which we will take as kneeling, also shows the same sign of adoration, reverence and gratitude. Recall that the Magi “bowed down and worshiped him” when they found the infant Jesus (Matthew 2:11). And while we do not have the same words from Luke about the shepherds at the manger, we have little doubt but that they, too, bowed or knelt as they saw him (Luke 2:16). For it was common to say, “I beseech God on my knees.”
As for other things, such as the head bowed or not, and with eyes open or closed, this, too, is up to the worshiper. There have been times when I have witnessed something disturbing, such as on a visit or in a sickroom, and I find that if I pray soon afterwards, I see whatever disturbing thing it was once again when I close my eyes, and so I am content to pray with my eyes open and fixed on something ordinary, natural, good, and simple, such as a tree trunk, or a stone, the grass (or snow), or even a wall or a chair, and I am content and am able to pray without being distracted.
We have learned that we do not need to face a certain direction when we worship. And as for our other mannerisms, whether with folded hands or open arms, eyes open and heads bowed, standing or kneeling, or sitting—we approach our holy God before his throne in heaven. He will hear us, and answer us, and he will bless us.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy Smith
Pastor Smith serves St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in New Ulm, Minnesota. To receive God’s Word for You via e-mail, please visit the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church website.