Knee Mail

You’ve seen the church signs, the wall plaques, even the e-cards on social media. “God answers knee mail!”

I have no doubt these people mean well. But why not go with our Lord’s words and promises rather than coming up with a pithy cliche? After all, God doesn’t answer prayer simply because the one praying is on his knees. Nor does He answer prayer simply because someone calls out His name.

God’s Word teaches that He only answers the prayers of those who look to and trust in Jesus Christ and the redemption He won via His holy precious blood and His innocent suffering and death. “Whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He will give it to you” (John 16:23). “No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil” (1 Peter 3:12). Not the prayer of just anyone, but “the prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (James 5:16).

Since God the Father has named you His beloved child in Holy Baptism, you now have access to Him through Jesus Christ. And yet, there is no mandated posture you must assume. Stand up. Sit down. Kneel. Prostrate yourself. It matters not. Pray! Fold your hands. Lift up your hands. It matters not. Pray! In the privacy of your room. At the dinner table with your family. In God’s house with your brothers and sisters in Christ. All are good, right, and salutary. Pray!

Follow the disciples’ lead and devote yourself to “the prayers” (Acts 2:42). “Be constant in prayer” (Romans 12:12). “Continue steadfastly in prayer” (Colossians 4:2). “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Skip the pithy cliches and heed the invitation of your Lord. Not because of your righteousness, or your worthiness, or even your posture, but because of Jesus Christ and Him alone God answers your prayers according to His good and gracious will. Thus, relying on Christ, you can pray with confidence that God is faithful and merciful and has promised to work all things to your eternal good.

“Hear my prayer, O LORD; give ear to my pleas for mercy! In Your faithfulness answer me, in Your righteousness!” (Psalm 143:1).