Ep 21 - Why Do We Kneel and Close Our Eyes?

We explore the origins and personal meanings behind common prayer postures and habits, discovering that Scripture shows multiple ways to approach God in prayer, from kneeling to standing to lying prostrate.

• Different prayer positions throughout Scripture including Solomon kneeling with open hands, Daniel praying on his knees three times daily, and Jesus both kneeling and falling on his face
• The personal prayer journeys of both hosts, from praying in bed to pacing while praying to eventually kneeling
• How closing your eyes helps eliminate distractions and focus on spiritual connection
• The revelation that some people connect better through movement, like pacing in kitchens or praying while driving
• The importance of honest, vulnerable communication with God regardless of physical posture
• Understanding that while God knows our thoughts, He waits for us to bring our concerns to Him
• Finding your own personal prayer style that fosters the deepest connection with God
• The balance between reverence in posture and complete honesty in prayer content

May this conversation bless you and help you discover your own meaningful way to connect with our Heavenly Father, who cares more about your heart than your physical position.

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:00

Hey Saints and welcome back to the Unfiltered Christian podcast. I'm CeC.

SPEAKER_02 0:06

And I'm Shay.

Introduction to Prayer Postures

SPEAKER_01 0:07

And today is my question. So Shay, I don't know if you ever thought about this, but why do you kneel and close your eyes when you pray?

SPEAKER_02 0:17

Hmm. It seems like the yeah, because I'm thinking the Bible doesn't. Does the Bible tell you to kneel and pray? I mean, isn't there parts of the Bible I feel like didn't Jesus do that? Didn't he kneel when he prayed to God? I'm thinking, I'm like, is that where it originates from? But I feel like before I didn't used to kneel. When I first started praying, I found it easier to walk around because I focused better that way. But I always closed my eyes because I always felt like that gave me more focus. I feel like that's the correct thing to do. Um when your eyes are open, because you're not praying to someone that's in front of you, or you're not speaking to someone that's directly in front of you when you would give them eye contact, it feels like a deeper connection when you close your eyes because I feel like that way you're more in tune with the spirit because you're connecting with the spirit. So I feel like when your eyes are closed, you're you've cut yourself off from the world, you've cut yourself off from what's in front of you. Like when your eyes is open. Um I know some people that pray with their eyes open, like they don't feel like they need to close their eyes. But for me, it's like I could be looking at the pattern of my bed sheet or the trees outside. Yeah, you couldn't you're distracted, and the whole point of prayer is for you to have a fully focused mind on Yahweh, like that's the whole point. So when your eyes are closed, it is better. I will say though, my eyes is open in the morning because I'm so sleepy that I could actually fall asleep. So in the morning, yeah, it helps me to stay awake if I'm praying before 10 o'clock or before nine o'clock in the wooded, which most of the time it's after six. Yeah, I need to keep my eyes open, honey, because my head will be dropping, I'll even forget what part I was up to. But um, the kneeling part to me, it was the only word I can use, which and I don't really know how to explain this word, is um reverence. When you kneel, it's more, it's more it brings more humility because who else would you kneel to than our creator? And it's like it only seems correct to kneel to him to it shows your respect towards him, it shows your humility, it shows how much you love him. Um, and it just only seems right, like it just I don't know, it just that also makes me feel like I'm connecting to the Lord of all lords, the king of all kings, and he deserves that. No one else deserves for me to put my knees down on the ground than to him, and I feel like I feel more connected to him even more through kneeling, and just really, yeah, I don't know. There's just something about that that just draws you in, and you just feel so much closer by that action of kneeling for me personally, okay.

SPEAKER_01 3:09

And like before your walk got serious, what did you used to do?

SPEAKER_02 3:12

Yeah, that's what I was saying. I used to walk around because I found it easier. I'd I'd paced basically in my room or wherever I'm praying. I used to, I did used to close my eyes, but I used to paste around because I felt like I struggled to stay still. Um, that's always been a thing for me. Physically, I've always struggled to physically stay still, like in any situation. Um, even at church, I still struggled to sit still. That's just always been a thing for me. So when I used to pray like that, I felt like my prayers were really deep. Like at the beginning of my walk, when I kneeled, I didn't feel like I was connecting. But then when I had my moments where I was paced in, I felt like I could express more, like I was getting more out. And I felt like last year, maybe like a year ago, I had to do that because I I felt like I needed that, I needed that deepness for me. So, like, that's how I feel like I'm really connected, where I'm getting everything out, where I'm being more vulnerable, like walking. That's why you know, like you hear about some people that go on walks in the morning to have their worship time. Like, I get it because you you you feel like there's something about that movement that helps your brain to just I don't know, I can't describe it, it just helps you to get things out. I feel like the reason why I don't do it as much anymore is because I feel like I'm not being respectful, and I feel like it's respectful for me to kneel. That's why I don't do it anymore. Okay, that's interesting.

SPEAKER_01 4:33

Yeah, but do you still feel like either way your prayer will be heard?

SPEAKER_02 4:37

Yeah. Okay. I do. I do feel either way my prayer will be heard. I feel like I feel like I feel like it's more to do with me being able to be more honest.

SPEAKER_01 4:46

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 4:46

And I feel like I express more when I'm pasting, when I'm walking. I feel like I'm much more honest and I'm, you know what I mean? I get it all out. I'm I'm very just, I just give him everything.

SPEAKER_01 5:00

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 5:00

I feel like I just somehow my brain is flowing more to tell him more. Like the same way that I would tell my friends everything. I feel like everything just comes out the way it needs to come out. Like I'm very honest, I'm very humble. I'm just like, you know, Lord, this is how I feel. And you know, it it just it just all comes out. All the stuff I can't think about when I'm kneeling, it just comes out when I'm pasting. That's the difference. But either way, I feel like he's yeah. But I know he's hearing my prayer. Either way.

Why We Kneel and Close Our Eyes

SPEAKER_01 5:27

I think for me, um, I uh growing up in a Church of England church, um, when you we kneel, but I can't remember kneeling at home other than at my my great aunt's house. Like, oh, we used to be kneeling for time, but my knees and and she was older, as I said, she's my great aunt, but we were young. I don't know how she managed, but my knees used to be my kneecaps used to be hurting. Oh yeah. I'm thinking, when is she gonna finish?

SPEAKER_02 5:57

Especially if you're not kneeling on anything soft, it's like you're feeling the indentation.

SPEAKER_01 6:02

Like before we used to go to bed, or in the morning, it was when she used to say prayer time, it was torture because our knees was killing us. So, and then I guess in the Church of England church you've got the little cushion thing, right? But Church of England Church's prayers are not that long unless it's um well, I know every Church of England Church is different. So, in in our church, when it was Easter, the prayers used to be longer, but the cushion we were just excited to be kneeling on the cushion.

SPEAKER_02 6:31

On the cushion, yeah, I remember that hard floor, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 6:35

But I guess being at home, we just always like closed our eyes when we prayed. Yeah, and when I say at home, I don't even mean my household. I'm talking about my other family household because I didn't really see my mum pray, to be honest. Unless it was cr yeah, like unless it was Christmas. Um, when we're praying before we eat. Wow, I actually learned it from my other family members, yeah, rather than my mum. And then I never really questioned why we kneeled, it was just you just do it. And then so when I I thought about it the other day, I was thinking like, why do we do these things? It's because we're told, but nobody explains like why. It's just like close your eye, like as a child, close your eyes, we're praying, we're praying, close your eyes, like you know, but we don't know why you're doing something, and then I started to question it like why do we close our eyes? Or why do we kneel? Because not everybody kneels, but like most people close their eyes, and then I remember like one time I had my eyes open, and someone's like, Oh, you're it's disrespectful to have your eyes open. I was thinking, how? Um, and as of recently, I don't really close my eyes anymore. Um and I don't kneel. I think it's depending on what it is. I think like if I'm praying about my sins, I will kneel. But you see that pasting thing? I thought it was just me. Because whenever I'm praying, I pray more better when I I my prayer, my prayer point, because you know everyone said they've got a prayer place. Mine is the kitchen. I'll be pasting both and forth in the kitchen. Like it's my prayer room. Like the there's something about the kitchen. Yeah, when I walk around in any parts of the house, it's not the same, but same, yeah, yeah, yeah. But in the kitchen is my thing where my eyes are my eyes are open and I am just going back and forth, and and I it just that the thing that you talk about that that whole connection is like, wow. And you know, and I don't know if you feel this way, I think it's just me personally, but sometimes you know when we when I don't know if you ever used to go to prayer meeting on a Wednesday, but sometimes when I used to go to prayer meeting, I had my eyes open because I didn't feel connected. So we even though we're holding hands and everybody's praying, I just didn't feel a part of because it's just different.

SPEAKER_02 8:58

I I've I have that I've had that experience in uh situations where we've had those kind of circle of prayer things where you're holding hands, and very rarely I I felt connected. I think there's only one time I felt connected, and it was like when we had our New Year's um thing, and it was like there was like the what that's the one time I actually did that whole group thing that I actually felt connected in that prayer. But other than that, I don't really feel connected when they say like, oh, you know, praying to or where like I don't really do what I mean, I don't really get that feeling like that, to be honest. I I feel you with that one. Um do you know what? The other thing I did used to do actually early on my walk before the pasting actually was I used to pray in bed. Um that was my very early, early time. And it didn't, I feel you feel like you go through stages, and that was in the mornings. Was it in the mornings? Yeah, I feel like it was mainly in the mornings. Um, but that's because I wasn't used to getting up earlier to make that time to pray. So that's when I really started my journey very early, where it's like, okay, you have to intentionally now wake up earlier to pray. So it was like earlier, earlier, because I woke up earlier to like do other things. So I need to wake up earlier than that to pray and then do those things.

SPEAKER_01 10:09

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 10:09

Um, and I was like, oh, this is a lot on my body. Like, you know, I I never used to wake up those times. I used to pray in bed, I used to sit up and pray in bed, and I didn't feel guilty at that time. So my journey has progressed from that time. Yeah, but I used to feel fine praying in bed. Like I still used to feel connected with God. I still used to feel like he's hearing me, and I would still sing, I would still pray, I would still read my devotional, do all in bed. Either way, those were like freezing cold winter mornings where I was just like, oh my gosh, like how could I come out of this bed? Like the heater's not on. Um, and these are the times I lived at home where like I couldn't just go turn on the heater. Like my mum had a time frame where she would turn it on. So like my bed was warm, you know? But I prayed in bed, it just felt it felt a bit easier. Whereas now when I'm in my own space, still it's freezing when I get up. I'm like, I don't care how cold it is because you know my mindset's different now. Like, you know, the Lord is there for me wherever, like, whenever. And the least I can do is get my behind out of bed and kneel and pray. Do you know what I'm saying?

SPEAKER_03 11:12

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 11:13

Um so I just I'm like, yeah, let's let's find the the robe, let's find whatever to be warm and the heater will eat you up soon, you know? Like, yeah, I get back into bed to read, but to pray, yes, I do come out of bed. I force myself, I'm like, You're coming out of bed. And it's so funny now because all of my son's life, all he's known is to kneel to pray.

SPEAKER_01 11:34

Okay.

SPEAKER_02 11:34

Um, so now when we pray in the evenings, he blew my mind a few weeks ago, not very long ago. I'm saying like maybe two or three weeks ago. And then he said to me, Can we get into the position of prayer? I was like, sorry? How's the kid? Wow. Even for him, because he'll kneel in he'll he'll he'll pray in bed when in the evenings, but he'll kneel in bed. And it blew my mind that my five-year-old is telling me, Let's get into the position of prayer. I was like, whoa, it was beautiful and amazing all at once. And yeah, everyone, everyone has their own ways. I I completely agree with that, you know. I always wanted to be that person that got up in the morning though and went for those morning walks and prayed in the mornings. Yeah, but I'm sorry, honey, I can't do that. Them two Celsius I can't do that in those minus twos, honey. Oh no, it's too dark and ooh.

SPEAKER_01 12:22

I think the moment I open my eyes in bed, I say a prayer. So I'm still laying down. Like from the moment I open my eyes, I know that my attention could just go left at any Garan moment. So the moment I open my eyes, I thank the Lord for waking me up, and then I will do another prayer later on.

SPEAKER_02 12:43

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 12:44

Because I'm just like, let me let me just give thanks because my I could have opened my eyes and be blind or whatever. Do you know what I mean? I just give him that reverence, and it's so interesting because I you know me, I always think way outside of the box because I think to myself, sometimes people say you have to kneel to be heard or do this or do that, but then you just realise that there is no right way or wrong way as long as you have that um relationship with the father, because you know, like when you're leaving the door, you will be standing up. Do you know what I mean? And everyone has different relationships with God where they can connect because when I'm vexed, I drive and pray. Like that is I have I was get in the car, be in silence, and I'm driving. I don't know how I'm driving so coming, but I'll be like literally like whether it be shouting or whatever.

SPEAKER_02 13:38

Thank God it's not rage driving.

SPEAKER_01 13:40

Yeah, no, it's not, but it's my it's there's something about driving and when I'm hurt that just calms me. That's interesting, and it's always been my thing, like no matter what time of night, it could be 3 a.m. If I cannot rest and I'm like and I try to pray, and I really can't paste up and down in the kitchen because I because with me, I don't talk I don't pray in my head when I'm pasting, I'm talking out loud. Out loud, yes. So it's like when I'm in my car, people might think I'm just on the phone. So it's it's just easier for me, and there's numerous times where I've done it, and even though some people talk about my safety and stuff, but I just need that that peace at that time, and driving is my thing.

SPEAKER_02 14:24

It just sounds like you need to be outside. That's just what it is. You need to be outside, you need to be in fresh air, you need that space, you need you need to be out of your environment, basically.

SPEAKER_01 14:32

Yeah, but I'm not walking though, it has to be driving.

SPEAKER_02 14:35

No, no, no, but either way, I still take it. It's still fresh air, honey. You outside. I still take it. I'm just saying, you need to be, you're outside, you're not in a building, you you've come out. Do you know what I mean? You I feel like that's what it is. You just you need that fresh open space in a sense, like if it makes sense. I think in my head it makes sense. Yeah, it's like you just need to be out, you need to be out, you need to be in that space which is your space. Do you know what? I just I love that hearing you say that just made me like smile. Because I just think like I love the fact that everyone has their own way to connect with Yahweh. Like, I love that. That's what he wants. He wants us all to have our own individual ways. Like, there's no, like from this conversation, I just feel like there's no specific right way or wrong way as long as you're speaking to him. There is something about that praying out loud thing. I have to pray out loud. That whole praying in your head thing, that does not work for me. Not me, honey. I will be thinking about the school run, the food shopping, the what do I have to do at work? No, that does not work for me. And even when I'm praying out loud, I can still be distracted. So either way, it's important for me to pray out loud. So that pasting thing and speaking out loud is very important for me. Like that praying in the head thing, nah nah nah. That is the one thing that doesn't work well for me. Like, even when like I'm at church and I'm needing to pray, and they say to pray, I still have to whisper. Okay, I cannot just be in my head. No, I know already that that's a no-go. I still have to whisper, I still have to move my lips, like I have to feel like I'm intentionally getting those words out. Yeah, it feels like I'm holding something in, like it's still not coming out by me praying in my head.

Different Prayer Positions in Scripture

SPEAKER_01 16:11

Okay, I heard that. So I started researching, like kneeling was an ancient practice, it symbolizes humility, submission, and reverence, reverence, as you were saying. And then I was looking for like examples in the Bible um of wherever somebody kneeled or their or their positioning. Because obviously, when you go to different churches and you go visiting, like different denominations, I know like a lot of people sometimes open their hands to pray as well.

SPEAKER_02 16:43

Ah, yes.

SPEAKER_01 16:44

And um the first person that I've found, well, obviously there's Jesus, but Solomon is in 2 Chronicles 6, verses 12 to 13. Um, and he was at the temple. Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all assembly of Israel and spread it spread out his hands towards the heavens, and he knelt on his knees in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands towards the heavens. And I think so that's why like some people get their um when they're praying, they have their hands open. Open. Sometimes I pray like that too. Yeah, there's do you know what it's just so amazing? Like, there is no wrong way or right way, as we're saying. It was just like, where does it come from? But it's about how you feel. And then there was Daniel in Daniel 6 10. He got on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God as he's done previously. And then there was Jesus in Luke 22, 41, and he withdrew from them a stone throw and knelt down and prayed.

SPEAKER_02 17:49

Yes, I knew that Jesus did it. So I was questioning myself, like, did he? But I'm like, I'm sure I heard I read something that Jesus also knelt and prayed. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 17:57

Um, do me a favour and find Mark 11 verses 25. I didn't find that one.

SPEAKER_00 18:03

Mark 11 verses 25. Go down there. Oh.

SPEAKER_01 18:09

Because in Matthew, Matthew 26, verses 39, um he went a little further and fell on his face and prayed. So you got people who lay straight.

SPEAKER_02 18:21

Straight, yes, yes, yeah, there is people that do that. Yeah. I do that. Some not all the time, but sometimes when I'm depends on the where I'm where I'm praying or kneeling on or leaning on or whatever it is. Um when I pray with my son, like at like when I'm in his room and I kneel in his room, sometimes I lean on my face. Um, so it all depends, right? But Mark chapter 11, verses 25 says, and this is Jesus speaking because it's in red, and whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him that your father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.

SPEAKER_01 19:04

So here we could see standing, laying face flat, having your arms open, kneeling. So it just shows there's different ways of praying.

SPEAKER_02 19:18

There's different ways to to connect. Um I see a lot of people do that actually, like when they lift their hands to to um to pray. I do that in worship. Like if I'm really connected to worship and I'm just feeling the Holy Spirit, like I feel like raising my hands when I'm singing and my eyes close. Like I really feel connected. That's the times when I feel like raising my hands. It's never really during prayer, but it's during worship. That's that's that's excellent. It's excellent that I feel like that's something gifted to us from the Lord that we have different ways we can connect with him. Um, because everyone's an individual, and it's just great to know that um he he allows that, you know, that's that it shows the character of our God that he's not just like, yeah, this is the only way to speak to me, this is the only thing you can do. Yeah, um, it really shows who he is by allowing us to have all these different ways that we can speak to him, and I also feel like he's aware that everybody has a disability, so not everybody can kneel, um, not everybody can stand. Um, true, never thought of that.

SPEAKER_01 20:25

Um, so he's opened the door for us no matter what.

SPEAKER_02 20:30

Um so no excuses, no excuses, no excuses, honey.

SPEAKER_01 20:35

Yeah, the only I one thing that I couldn't find is um closing your eyes. Ah I couldn't find any scripture about closing your eyes, and I guess again, not everybody can see.

SPEAKER_02 20:49

Um I haven't heard that in the Bible. That's true.

SPEAKER_01 20:52

I think it is a way like people just close their eyes to avoid distraction, reverence, humility. Right. It's their personal um preference. Whether you open your eyes or close them, like your prayer will be heard. Um because I know that we live in a world where you're you're told that if you don't do this, then you know the Lord is not gonna hear you, and sometimes you just feel but I feel more comfortable with my eyes open. Whether you wherever you are with your walk, it doesn't mean that it's like Shays spoke about like you know, starting to pray from her bed and now she kneels, the Lord still hears her. Do you get what I'm saying? Um, sometimes people could say things to you and make you feel bad or guilty for not doing it their way. But as that's why I wanted to read out the different verses to show that you can be laying down, you can kneel down, you can open your arms because that's what it says in the Bible. That's what is written, that's not what so and so said.

SPEAKER_03 21:56

Right.

SPEAKER_01 21:57

Um and then like when um When I was the reason why I asked you about do you feel like God still hears you um as we could see through the different positions that yes, he still hears us regardless of our posture. The key is our heart's seniority. I can never get that word that word right. Rather than the physical position, Jesus often spoke to us about the attitude of our heart in prayer in um Matthew 6 verses um five and six. If you find John 4, 24, I should have had these all already, honey, but you know, this is unfiltered and this is real life. Um find Matthew six, Matthew six verses five and six, just in case for those who do not have a Bible. And if you can find John 4 verses 24.

SPEAKER_00 22:50

Right here.

SPEAKER_01 22:51

So um Matthew six verses five and six says, and when you pray, you shall not be like the other hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the street, that they may be seen by men. As surely I say unto you, they have their reward. But when but when you when you pray, go into your room, and when you and when you have shut your door, pray to your father who is in a secret place, and your father who sees in secret will reward you. So it just shows you it's not about being seen or being dramatic, it's just about you and your father having that conversation. He cares about what is in your heart.

SPEAKER_02 23:31

Very true. And John chapter 4, verses 24 says, uh, this is also Jesus speaking because it's in red. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth. Yeah, and that reminds me of what I was saying, where I feel like I'm connecting with the spirit because we know that when I close my eyes, but funny enough, as I was as we were just talking, I was thinking when I paste, I don't close my eyes. Obviously, you need to see, but it's the fact that um I feel like I'm so I'm so I'm able to focus more on what I'm saying that I don't actually feel like I need to close my eyes. Yeah, so I don't know if that's you, because if you know if you're in a certain space, you can close your eyes because you know you're you're pasting just in one little area, so you can, but for me I don't because I'm able to really get out everything I need to say that I don't actually, yeah, it doesn't feel like I have to in that time.

SPEAKER_01 24:22

I think through my pasting, you're so connected with what you're saying that it's like the Holy Spirit's guarding your footsteps to go back and forth. Right. Because you don't pay you you don't really pay attention to what you're doing.

SPEAKER_02 24:34

Yeah, literally, you don't, yeah. It's like you're not here. Yeah, you're actually in the spirit with the spirit kind of thing. There's just something that lightly, but yeah, it's just yeah, there's just something about for real. You don't you don't notice, you're like, ooh, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 24:54

I think my favorite verse is um 1 Thessalonians 5 verses 17 when it says pray without season. And I think when I'm in my car, I pray without season, I let the Lord know everything. Like I do not I tell him my feelings, how I'm unfiltered. Yes, literally, and I sometimes I'm crying, I don't even know how I'm seeing seeing the road. But I'm the Holy Spirit is guiding because that's when I feel like oh yeah, and I feel at peace. I feel like my kitchen is for people, like when I'm bra praying for somebody's chains to be broken, that is when I'm like in the kitchen, like going back and forth.

SPEAKER_02 25:38

So the cost for yourself, yeah. That's funny, it's really interesting. There's a place for others, and there's a place for you.

SPEAKER_01 25:48

And I wouldn't I wouldn't I would say when I'm hurt, like if I'm praying about like I don't know, like I want a job or I want I could do that in the kitchen, but when I'm hurt or somebody's hurt me, or like that type of feeling or rage is the car. That's just ground is the car.

SPEAKER_02 26:07

Yeah, it's all your emotions basically.

SPEAKER_01 26:09

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 26:11

Wow, that's really interesting. That is really interesting.

SPEAKER_01 26:14

I tried to have my little room, um, like war room, um, but I had to kneel and it it yeah, the that the little room that I feel actually, I'm not gonna lie, my nail room. Um, for those that don't know, I'm I'm a beautician. My nail room sometimes with certain things I could go in there and sit and pray or kneel and pray. Um, but again, my my knees are not caught out. Maybe I don't kneel enough.

SPEAKER_02 26:40

Knees are like, ooh, we weren't ready.

SPEAKER_01 26:43

Yeah, like they'd be rocking back and forth, and even if I sit on my legs, that I prefer to sit on my legs and pray rather than kneel standing up, but it makes me realise how weighty I am. Yeah, like me, that feels like I don't have weight. My niece feels it.

SPEAKER_02 26:58

Feels it, yeah. Yeah, because your whole body has just gone down, isn't it? Yeah, I've got a prayer pillow, so I've got a prayer pillow, it's literally been my prayer pillow from the very beginning. When we have family worship, my son steals that one, so I have to find another one because he loves my prayer pillow. But I've I've had it forever. My mum gave it to me years ago, years and years ago. I think she gave it to me for Valentine's Day, actually. And it's a it's a heart, it's a red heart-shaped one.

SPEAKER_01 27:23

It's funny how today's Valentine's Day, but this will probably come in March.

Personal Prayer Journeys and Habits

SPEAKER_02 27:26

But yeah, right, exactly. Yeah, today's Valentine's Day, yeah. And um yeah, I've got this red heart-shaped pillow that's just perfect for my knees because it's big enough. Um and literally that is my prayer pillow, it's been my prayer pillow for the for the whole seven odd years. Um, and I can't use any, I can use any other pillow now because I share it with my child, but other than like if he's not praying with me, that has to be my pillow. Um it's just it I it does allow me to pray longer um on my knees, so I don't have that pain and uncomfortability. Um so that is how I am able to kneel longer, so I can be on my knees for 20 minutes and pray because of that pillow, you know? Yeah, it's nice to have a prayer pillow, it really is.

SPEAKER_01 28:16

And do you know what is interesting as well? Like now that you're talking about it, I do kneel because you um me and Shay, we pray together, like we fast once a month and we pray for things. And I when we pray together, I start off kneeling and then I start pasting because it's like I'm feeling it now. I need to walk back and forth.

SPEAKER_02 28:34

Like me kneeling is not it's yeah, yeah, because when we pray in our fast time, that could be like an hour. Yeah, the last time we prayed, it was an hour. Like, I have never prayed that long, even in a group setting. I'm like, whoa, has it been an hour since we've been praying? Like, I was losing my voice, like I could feel my body was getting weak. Like, it was like it was like a it was actually a workout. Um, and I was kneeling for most of that, to be honest. Okay, so your knees are strong, honey. Clearly, yeah, because my kneel they're used to kneeling. Yeah, and I feel like um I didn't sometimes I didn't notice it because I was so entwined with the prayer, I was really feeling connected to the Holy Spirit that I didn't even notice I was kneeling.

SPEAKER_01 29:19

Yeah, do you know what I mean?

SPEAKER_02 29:20

Like my physical body, I was not feeling any of that. It was just the focus on connecting with the spirit and what we were praying about. It was the passion with what we were praying about that at that point it was like knees who. When I actually got up, I was like, oh, my knees. You know, I didn't feel it in that time, in that moment. Um, so yeah, yeah, I get what you mean though. Like, like when you start pasting, I might just end up doing that the next time. This makes me want to get back into my pasting. I got some stuff that me and God need to really I'm sorry, I feel like I'm just not this whole sitting and talking or kneeling thing, it just ain't working. I need to really just get it out. Yeah, it might have some pasting prayers.

SPEAKER_01 30:00

I feel like I'm more even though prayer I think, and this is just me. So when I say this, guys, don't take this to like should I do this? But this is just for me. I feel like because kneeling is reverent, I feel like I'm more humble. But when I have to talk about certain things that Lord, I need you to remove this sin from me, I can't do it kneeling. I need to, you need to hear me, you know. I need to pace.

SPEAKER_02 30:28

Yeah, that makes sense. It makes sense. I don't I wouldn't take it in any way. Yeah, I just feel like, like I said, I feel like it's the honesty that you're able to get out. There's something about that that pasting. Yeah, you can get it out. I mean, fully, like, I don't know. I feel like sometimes I God knows what you were thinking, right? So he does know what we're thinking, but I feel like when I'm kneeling, I'm even more skeptical at times to say it out loud, even though he knows he he can already see, he can already hear what I'm thinking. But I'm not being as honest as times. Because you're being reverent, right? Yeah, because you're and I'm like, should I say that? Am I being disrespectful? And I'm like, I'm not trying to say like when I'm pasting, I'm disrespecting God, but I feel like the honesty that he requires of me is when I'm in that pos when I'm doing that. Yeah, the humility that he needs for me and the honesty, that is when that comes out. That does not come out.

SPEAKER_01 31:20

That's what needs to change. I think in our head or however we've been taught is that when you kneel, you come correct, but you could still come correct with your praying, so it's kind of like you know, Lord, thank you for today. And it's like the little things because you're being humble, but you could still be humble and pray about yourself. Do you get what I'm saying? It's still reverence because you're still talking to your father.

SPEAKER_02 31:45

I feel like the times we're in now, I'm not saying you should not be reverent, that's not what I'm saying with what I'm about to say, but these are the times when you need to be having those type of prayers. Yeah, where you're letting it out, where you're telling him the truth. These are the times. There's no time for this whole like, should I say, should I not say? Oh, I haven't said no. Yeah, these are the times now when you need to be having those type of powerful prayers all the time, not just sometimes. Do you know what I'm saying? Like, these are the times when you need to be reaching to have those prayers. Yeah, you need to be trying to have those prayers because the battles that we're having with the spirits and principalities that is just these are the times. This is not the times to be like, uh-huh, you know, like maybe today, you know, no, yeah. We need to be having those powerful moments.

SPEAKER_01 32:28

Yeah, you should be able to talk to your father, like how you talk to your spouse, your friend, you know, your colleague. And I and those that's been my thing. Like, Lord, help me to the way how I could talk to Shay about XYZ, help me to also come to you because only you can help me out of this. Like, you know, like there's certain situations that you could be in, whether it be a family, work, your housing. Like, yes, you could, there's nothing wrong with talking to your friend, your spouse, your family, but the only person that can actually help you get things moving is our father, and I feel like that's where I used to be, and that's where I'm coming back. Where I'm like, Do you know what, Lord? XYZ, this, that, and the third. Help me. I'm annoyed, I'm vexed. I'm doing I literally tell him because he can see us, he created us in his image, like he already knows, but and then you also got other people, and and this is maybe the Lord wanted me to come out and say this. We do you know there's some people that has given up. They're like, Well, the Lord knows me, so why should he he knows that I'm homeless, or he knows I don't have money, or he knows that I'm in an abusive relationship, or whatever it may be, why should I pray to him when he knows? Come out of that because the same way how you could pick up the phone and talk to whoever you are close to, they know that situation, they can't change that situation, but you would still pick up the phone and tell them about it all the time, and they know about it. But the only person that can actually change the situation is your heavenly father.

SPEAKER_02 33:59

It's true. I did used to be one of those people where I was just like, but he already knows, like it didn't make sense to me when I used to hear this in sermon. God knows, but you still need to tell him. I'm like, does this just it doesn't make sense? It's really not making sense to me. I'm like, how can someone know something? But I still need to tell him anyway. Like in my head, it took me a long time to get my head around that, but I get it, I understand. Our God is not an intrusive God, right? He will not like that scripture I'm paraphrasing here where he stands at the door and knock, like what? Yes, right. So he knocks, right? Like I was listening to um a pastor saying the other day, he doesn't kick down the door, he doesn't boast through the door, he stands and he knocks. So he's not intrusive, he's not gonna make you talk, he's not gonna hold you hostage. So even though he's aware of those things, he wants you to bring them to him when you're ready. Because it could be a thing where you're not ready to talk to him about that thing. So he's not gonna force you, he's aware of it, but he's waiting for when you're ready to be like, okay, Lord, this has been so hard for me. I didn't know how to talk about it. And that's when he's like, Oh, finally, my child, you're giving it to me. I'm here. I've just been waiting for you. You know, it's the same way, like with mothers, if you know something about your child, you know your child is battling something. Like the way my mom used to tell me that she knew I was going through things, and I didn't know she knew. So, like, when this is in adulthood now, she's telling me about these things, and these are things I faced as a child. Like when I got bullied and stuff, and like there's certain things she knew that I used to write in my diary and stuff, and I was like, I didn't know she knew these things, yeah. But she waited for me to come to her, and I'm telling her these things in adulthood, yeah, you know, and that's what he does with us. He waits patiently.

SPEAKER_01 35:44

Revelation chapter three, verse 20. It says, Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and open the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with me.

SPEAKER_00 36:00

Amen.

SPEAKER_02 36:02

So that's just what he does. So don't like, I'm telling you, I get it, guys. I used to be that person, it didn't make sense to me, but now it really does. It makes complete sense based off of everything I just said. He's just not intrusive, he's not gonna do that. The way other people will force you to do things, that is not what the Lord does with us. That's why he is the best thing that can ever happen to us. He's the he's the best decision for everything in our lives because he's just the only person that's gonna be the most patient with us, the most loving towards us, the most kind. Like, no matter how much anyone else in this world loves you, no one will ever love you the way he does. Oh, feel like I'm talking to myself, honey.

SPEAKER_01 36:41

It's always good when you talk to yourself. It's nice. Some people think it's crazy.

SPEAKER_02 36:47

But yeah, it's true. It is, it is.

SPEAKER_01 36:51

Well, we want to thank you for listening. And hopefully you would. Well, I don't know if you ever had that question in your head, but now you know there's no right way or wrong way because we gave three verses where there was different ways of praying.

SPEAKER_02 37:06

And even if you didn't think about it, it's a nice it's food for thought. It's a nice um conversation or confirmation to have, you know? Yeah. So thank you guys for listening. And I will say a prayer.

SPEAKER_01 37:21

Okay.

SPEAKER_02 37:21

Heavenly, holy, and wonderful Father, we give you praises and thanksgiving, Lord, for this day that you've given unto us. Thank you, Father Lord in Heaven, for this conversation that we were able to have, Lord. Heavenly Father, Lord, thank you for showing us that there isn't necessarily a right way that we need to connect with you, Father Lord, that you accept us in any way that we want to connect with you as long as we are connecting with you, as long as we're speaking with you, as long as we're giving things up to you, Lord in heaven, and you we we're making you the center of our lives, you are more than happy to take us whether we're pasting, whether we're kneeling, whether we're lifting our hands up to you, Lord, whether we're taking a walk, whatever ways that we're choosing to connect with you, you're just happy that we're doing so. And so, Father Lord in heaven, be with each and every one of us, Lord in heaven, to not feel guilty about the ways that we may choose to connect with you, Lord. If some have been told that they're doing it in a wrong way, Lord, help them to just turn to you in the ways that they feel that they're connecting with you, Father Lord, and for them to continue on their journey, Father Lord, with you, with whatever they're struggling with, whatever they're dealing with, Lord. We're just praying, Lord, right now that you may help anyone listening, Lord, to just be honest with you in whatever ways they need to, to just give it all up to you, Lord, because you are ready to listen, you're ready to hear them, and you're ready to help them and show them the love that they may feel that they don't have. Lord, we love you and thank you for your time. Thank you for listening. And Lord, be upon every single person, Lord, who has heard this podcast today. May it bless them and may they be able to share it with someone who's in need to hear it, Lord. In your blessed son's name, as we pray. Amen.

SPEAKER_01 39:01

See you guys soon.

SPEAKER_02 39:02

To do