How should we set about praying? Should we stand, kneel, sit, recline, or prostrate ourselves upon the ground? There are examples in Scripture of all these forms of posture being used. It seems as though differing circumstances governed the stance adopted. Some prayed with hands uplifted like the ascending cloud of incense (Exod. 9:33; Ps. 28:2; 1 Tim. 2:8). Others stood in respect (Mark 11:25). David sat meditatively (2 .Sam. 7:8). Daniel kneeled in humility (Dan. 6:10; cp. Eph. 3:14). Ezekiel and Christ prostrated themselves in excess of feeling (Ezek. 9:8; 11:13; Matt. 26:39).

The form of posture does not matter greatly; but the state of the heart does. Sometimes posture can help even in this. For example, in ancient times, many prayed with the eyes open; but we have learned to concentrate better with them closed. Some lifted up their hands, we do not do so. Whatever posture we find best suited to the circumstances, and which helps us to concentrate upon the matter in hand, is the best stance to use.

Whilst Prayer-time is any-time, men of faith had set times in which to approach God. In Israel, the time of offering of incense was the set time for prayer; therefore, morning and evening saw the people assembled for the purpose, so that the prayers of the people mingled with the fragrance of incense as it ascended in the Holy Place. Consider the following examples of allocating set times for praying..

At morning and evening. "Yahweh, I cry unto Thee; make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto Thee. Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands, as the evening sacrifice" (Ps. 141:1-2).

Three times a day. "He kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God" (Dan. 6:10).

Seven times a day. "Seven times a day do I praise Thee because of Thy righteous judgments" (Ps. 119:164).

At noon. "Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour" (Acts 10:9).

Every son and daughter of God should find time for prayer. No work, activity, or duty is so vital that it should be allowed to crowd prayer out of our lives. No one is so busily occupied that he can afford to do without it. The person who lives a prayer-less life, denies himself of access to a reservoir of power which he can tap in time of need, and which at all times brings great blessings in its train.

There is much truth in the saying: "The family that prays together, stays together." Therefore, develop the habit of family prayers. Insist upon the children assembling for the daily reading of the Bible, and commence with a word of prayer. It will impress their young minds with the solemnity of the reading, and illustrate to them the importance that their parents place upon the Bible, and upon Divine worship. These exercises will help mould the character of family life, and will act as a bulwark against the pressures of the world without.