The Best Way to Pray

The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
Psalm 145:18 (NIV)

I heard the story of three preachers who were discussing the best position for prayer. They were sitting around trying to compete with each other in theological dialogue about the best posture to be in so that God would hear their prayers. Nearby was a telephone repair man who was working.

One preacher says, “Kneeling is definitely the best posture for prayer.” Another one says, “No, no, no. Kneeling is not the best posture for prayer. I get the best results standing with my hands outstretched to heaven.” The third preacher says, “Y’all are both wrong. The most effective prayer position is lying prostrate, face down on the floor.” The telephone repair man had been listening to them prognosticating theologically—having their competition about what is the best position in prayer—and he chimed in and said, “Hey fellas, the best praying I ever did was when I was hanging upside down from the top of a telephone pole.”

I don't know how spiritual you are when you pray. You might have a little prayer closet or corner in your home. You might have a prayer shawl that you put over your shoulders, special lighting, or meditative music for your prayer times. But life is going to push you into some predicaments where you aren’t going to have a chance to use those wonderful prayer places, positions, or props. When life hangs you upside down until you don't know which way is up, you still can have a little talk with Jesus and tell Him all about your troubles, and He will hear you!

When it comes to prayer, it’s not so much about the how, when, and where. It’s about the what, why, and who.