Building A Daily Prayer HabitSýnishorn

How Do You Pray—Humility

In 1 Peter, we’re called to “clothe ourselves” in humility. Why? Because God opposes the proud. God’s grace is reserved for the humble. And Peter says all of this in a prayer context (“casting your cares upon him…”). 

Few of us today are used to praying on our knees. Although of course God does not require this physical posture, he does call our hearts to have this kind of humility and reverence when speaking to Him.

Too many of us rush in where angels fear to tread. We make our demands of God without a moment’s reflection on who we are talking to. Yes, it is right for us to expect God to act in response to our prayers, but we should be careful not to view God as a genie bound to fulfill our wishes. 

Prayer is the outflow of a heart set on knowing God. It’s the byproduct of a loving relationship with him.

In our society, self-promotion is the way to get ahead. But prayer is the great leveler. In prayer, there are no rich or poor, male or female, religiously accomplished or degenerate. In prayer we are all on our knees before the one Being who is exalted. 

We cannot pray without the moment by moment acknowledgment that we can’t take another step without God’s sustaining grace. And as we approach this God, we do so in faith that when we humble ourselves under his mighty hand, he will find the perfect time to exalt us. 

Tip for Cultivating a Daily Prayer Habit: In your regular prayer time, spend at least 30 seconds—before you say a word to God—picturing the God you are about to speak with. Consider praying on your knees at least once a week to allow your physical posture to set the posture of your heart!

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