When my husband plays the harmonica for our church praise team, I have noticed that he sometimes closes his eyes when he plays a song. He says this helps him focus and block out distractions so he can play his bestjust his harmonica, the music, and himall praising God.
Some people wonder if our eyes must be closed when we pray. Since we can pray at any time in any place, however, it might prove difficult to always close our eyesespecially if we are taking a walk, pulling weeds, or driving a vehicle!
There are also no rules on what position our body must be in when we talk to God. When King Solomon prayed to dedicate the temple he had built, he knelt down and spread out his hands toward heaven (2 Chron. 6:1314). Kneeling (Eph. 3:14), standing (Luke 18:1013), and even lying face down (Matt. 26:39) are all mentioned in the Bible as positions for prayer.
Whether we kneel or stand before God, whether we lift our hands heavenward or close our eyes so we can better focus on Godit is not the posture of our body, but of our heart that is important. Everything we do flows from [our heart] (Prov. 4:23). When we pray, may our hearts always be bowed in adoration, gratitude, and humility to our loving God, for we know that His eyes are open and [His] ears attentive to the prayers of His people (2 Chron. 6:40).
The dedication of the temple was much more than a formality; it was a celebration. God had kept His promise to David about the temple being built, but it was also tangible evidence of the settling and permanence of Israel. The temple wasnt simply where Israelites went to meet with God; it was the place where God resided among His people. Truly that was reason to celebrate! Its no wonder that Solomon knelt and spread out his hands before the Lord in response to what the Lord had done. In light of the faithful love of God, Solomon could only bow in worship and prayer.
What is your reaction to the faithfulness of the Lord? Why not pause and worship Him now with a humble heart.