I appreciate that this is not a vital question, but should believers stand to pray in the general assembly gatherings and/or in the prayer meetings?
There is no direct command in Scripture to stand while praying, but in Mark 11.25 the Lord says, "And when ye stand praying…". So standing cannot be wrong or He Himself would have condemned it. Prayer should be more than a posture, it should be a power. The all-important matter is not position but our condition when we pray .We have several instances of kneeling in prayer (Acts 20.36; Ephesians 3.14), but neither standing, nor kneeling, nor any other particular posture is commanded. Quite often the writer has been present in an assembly where the brethren kneel down to pray. This is good to see. At least it shows they are dependent on God. The Lord Himself appears to be standing when He prayed in Galilee as recorded in Matthew 11.25-27. At the grave of Lazarus He was standing when He prayed (Jn 11.41-43).
What the Lord emphasises in Mark 11.25 in this matter is not our position, but our condition when we pray. The command of Paul in 1 Corinthians 14.40 - "Let all things be done decently and in order" - includes prayer (vv.14-15). And no believer who realises the importance, value, and solemnity of prayer would ever be guilty of unbecoming behaviour such as praying with hands in pockets, or sprawling on a seat, or staring around with wide open eyes while anyone was praying. Let there be reverence and dignity in the assembly prayer meeting. In 1 Timothy 2.8 we have Paul speaking of "lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting". This lifting up of holy hands is not to be thought of in a physical sense. It was a Jewish custom in prayer, but it stresses the moral accompaniment of public prayer. A holy life is essential for effective prayer (Psalm 66.18). Let us have a real exercise to be in the right condition, whether standing or kneeling, when gathered for the assembly prayers.
John J Stubbs
In Psalm 110.1 we read, "The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool". To whom is David referring when he speaks of "LORD" and "Lord"?
This psalm of David enjoys the distinction of being quoted or referred to on fourteen occasions in the New Testament, more than any other Old Testament passage, and in each case it is applied to the Lord Jesus Christ.
In response to the question posed by the Lord Jesus, "What think ye of Christ? whose son is he?", the Pharisees answer, "The son of David". The Lord further asks, "How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?" (Mt 22.42-44). Thus the Lord Jesus made it clear, i) that David was the author of the psalm; and ii) that David, inspired by the Holy Spirit, called his son, his Lord.
In v.1 of the Psalm, David is speaking about Christ, in vv.2-4 David is speaking to Christ about the LORD'S dealings with Him, whilst in vv.5-7 David is speaking to the LORD about Christ.
In answer to the questioner, the "LORD" is Jehovah, and the "Lord" (Heb. Adon = master or ruler) is Christ. Thus David is now quoting what Jehovah said to his (i.e. David's) Lord. This verse is telling us what Jehovah said to the Lord Jesus on the occasion of His ascension - "Sit thou at my right hand". Literally this part of the verse reads, "Sit thou on my throne at my right hand". These words reflect the Eastern habit of having thrones of ample dimensions and of kings having the favoured son share their throne in order to secure succession.
Here the place is heavenly, not earthly. The command, "Sit thou", covers the high priestly work of Christ today in this time of His rejection upon earth; it continues "until I make thine enemies thy footstool". This would extend therefore beyond the Tribulation period until his appearing in glory. The second part of the verse is foreshadowed in the book of Joshua after Israel's victory at Gibeon, a day unprecedented, climaxing in the leaders of the nation putting their feet upon the necks of the five conquered kings (Josh 10.24). This was not an act of barbarity, but a symbolic sign of subjugation.
The Lord's position at Jehovah's right hand is a position of dignity, majesty, authority, and power.
David E West
