Written by: John Sernaque
Call to Worship
2 Chronicles 6:13
6:13 For Solomon had made a brazen scaffold, of five cubits long, and five cubits broad, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the court: and upon it he stood, and kneeled down upon his knees before all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven,…
We hope that our brethren will not manifest less reverence and awe as they approach the only true and living God than the heathen manifest for their idol deities, or these people will be our judges in the day of final decision. I would speak to all who occupy the place of teachers in our schools. Men and women, do not dishonor God by your irreverence and pomposity. Do not stand up in your Phariseeism and offer your prayers to God. Mistrust your own strength. Depend not in it; but often bow down on your knees before God, and worship Him. {3BC 1130.14}
And when you assemble to worship God, be sure and bow your knees before Him. Let this act testify that the whole soul, body, and spirit are in subjection to the Spirit of truth. Who have searched the Word closely for examples and direction in this respect? ... {3BC 1130.15}
Man must come on bended knee, as a subject of grace, a suppliant at the footstool of mercy. And as he receives daily mercies at the hand of God, he is ever to cherish gratitude in his heart, and give expression to it in the words of thanksgiving and praise for these unmerited favors (NL 37, pp. 1-3). {3BC 1131.1}
The prayer offered by Solomon during the dedication of the temple, was not made while he stood upon his feet. The king knelt in the humble position of a petitioner. {3BC 1131.2}
Herein is a lesson for God’s people today. Our spiritual strength and our influence are not increased by conformity to a worldly attitude during prayer.... Let man come on bended knee, as a subject of grace, a suppliant at the footstool of mercy. Thus he is to testify that the whole soul, body, and spirit are in subjection to his Creator (The Review and Herald, November 30, 1905). {3BC 1131.3}
If you are able, go on your knees when you enter into God’s presence. It is a sign of reverence and awe to our almighty Creator. Coming on bended knees testifies that your entire being is in subjection to God. That you have surrendered your life entirely to His will. We worship a mighty God, and unlike the Pharisees, are to come to Him humbly and in meekness. We can still come boldly to the throne of grace, boldly knowing that God hears and answers prayers. God supplies our needs and we are to show our gratitude in thanksgiving and praise kneeling in a humble position before the Father.
Our Father, God almighty
We come before You on bended knees in thanksgiving and praise. We thank You for providing for all our needs in abundance. We thank You for watching over us, protecting us, and keeping us safe. We surrender our lives to You, and pray that You work in us to will and to do of Your good pleasure. We are Your loyal servants and thank You for making us heirs to the Royal Family. We thank You for Your mercies, though they are unmerited. Help us to do what is right in Your sight that our names may be written in Your book of life. We thank You for hearing and answering our prayers, in the name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.
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