Pastor's Blog

3. Comment on the omission of any reference to any kind of posture during prayer in 6:6:
(1) Although our posture in devotions is noticed by God (v. 5), no particular posture is prescribed as there is no virtue in any one AS SUCH. These may only be conformity
to a traditional pattern or a mere matter of mechanical formality
(2) Posture is related to the nature of our devotions at a particular time and is largely determined by a variety of factors, such as individual personality, emotional state, conception of God, and environmental circumstances, all of which tend to diversity rather than uniformity
(3) However, when posture is the natural expression of an individual and is not unnaturally imposed, it becomes an integral and effective component of devotions, whether it be worship as in Job 1:20 or supplication as in I Kings 18:42
4. Observe a diversity of postures under a diversity of circumstances from:
(1) I Chron. 23:30 – Standing in worship
(2) II Sam. 7:18-29 – Sitting in prayer
(3) II Chron. 6:13 – Kneeling in supplication
(4) II Sam. 12:16 – Prostration in distress

5. What is the open reward in 6:6? The manifest effect before men of our secret devotion before God; e.g., as in:
(1) Mark 1:35-39 – Ability to meet the needs of others through effective ministry
(2) John 6:15 – Ability to avoid the snare of public acclamation
(3) Matt. 14:23-33 – Ability to walk on water before men and enable others to do the same, such as the waters of distress, etc.
(4) Luke 6:12-16 – Ability to choose the cross as Jesus did when he chose Judas
(5) Matt. 26:47 – Ability to drink the cup of suffering offered by the wisdom of divine providence

6. Inasmuch as God knows what we need before we ask him, 6:8, why do we need to ask? Not because God needs to be informed but:
(1) To keep us in an awareness of our dependence upon God whom we would otherwise take for granted and even forget, “days without number,” Jer. 2:32
(2) To enable God to demonstrate to us his goodness and faithfulness which would otherwise remain unrecognized
(3) To satisfy his heart by our thankful expression of praise for his bountiful and benevolent care, a praise which otherwise he would not receive