Bowing the Heart

A story is told that Neil Marten, a member of the British Parliament, was once giving a group of his constituents a guided tour of the Houses of Parliament. During the course of the visit, the group happened to run across Lord Hailsham, then serving as chancellor, wearing all the regalia of his office. At a distance, Hailsham recognized Marten among the group and cried, “Neil!” Not daring to question or disobey the “command,” the entire group of visitors promptly fell to their knees!

Can you imagine? I’ve never been in a situation when I’ve had to kneel before another person. However, there is something about that level of humility and respect that resonates – especially when I think about kneeling in the presence of God.

In the Bible, people pray to God while standing, sitting, kneeling, or even laying face down on the ground. I’ve been known to pray laying on the floor, flat on my back. Our posture says a lot about what is in our hearts. It also has the ability to put us in a certain frame of mind.

Today, while praying, I invite you to try a different posture – something other than what you are accustomed to. No matter how it looks, the most important part is to bow your heart in humility and awe before the Creator of Lord of all that is.

Let us pray: You are the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. You are worthy to receive glory, honor, and power. And so we come before you – on the very knees of our hearts – praising you with our entire being. Today, we thank you for the gift of life and the wonder of living. We thank you for a path to walk, for companions along life’s journey, and for your guiding redeeming love. Fill us again with your grace and joy – that these gifts would be ours to share. Amen.