(4) Postures. Sometimes prayer is expressed by the postures used in it, as standing, falling down (Dent. ix :18) ; bowing the knee (Eph. ; spreading, stretching forth, or lifting up the hands (Exod. ix :29 ; xvii :II; Job xi:13).
The main thing is the reverential frame of mind, which. will naturally express itself in one form or other, according to the state of feeling and the customs of the age and country.
(5) Length. The length of prayer is likewise unessential. God looks to the heart. Better few words and much devotion than many words and little devotion (see Matt. vi :7). The prayer of the publican in the temple (Luke 13), and the petition of the penitent thief (Luke xxiii :42), were very short and very effective.
(6) Saints in Prayer. All the great saints of God were fervent and mighty in prayer—Abra ham (Gen. xx :17) ; Jacob (Gen. xxxii :26-31) ; Moses (Num. xi :2; Deut. ix :19, 2o) ; Joshua (Josh. x :12) ; Samuel (t Sam. xii :18) ; David (all his Psalms) ; Elijah Kings viii :22 ; 2 Kings iv: 33; xix:15 ; Jonah ii :2 ; 1V :2 ; Dan. vi :to, sq.; ix:3. sq., etc.). We find also that wherever the patriarchs erected an altar for worship, they did so with the view of calling upon the name of the Lord (Gen. xii :8; xiii :4 ; xxi :33)• (7) Example of Christ. Our Savior himself often withdrew into a solitary place topray (Mark i :35; Luke v:16; Matt. xiv :23; xxvi :39).
(8) Prayer at All Times and in All Places. St. Paul (Eph. vi :18; I Thess. v :t7 ; I Tim. ii :8) directs that believers should pray in all places, and at all times, lifting up pure hands towards heaven, and blessing God for all things, whether in eating, drinking, or any other action ; and that everything be done to the glory of God (1 Cor.
x:31).
(9) Objections. The objections to prayer pro ceed from atheistic and fatalistic theories. Prayer implies the existence of God and the responsi bility of man, and has no meaning for those who deny either. It is more natural that God, who is infinitely merciful, should answer the prayer of his children than that earthly parents should grant the requests of their children. (See Matt. vii :IL) Yet our prayers were foreseen by him. like all other free acts, and included in his eternal plan. "In spite of all objections, men pray on as by universal instinct. The reply to the objections is that we pray to a living, loving Person, near at hand, knowing our thoughts, able to control all things—One who has declared himself a hearer of prayer, and who has made it a condition on which it seems good to him to put forth his power. The essence of belief in prayer is that the divine mind is accessible to supplication, and that the divine will is capable of being moved. Prayer depends on God's will, but does not determine it. Man applies, God complies; man asks, God grants.
"Prayer has a subjective value. It is neces sary to individual piety, produces solemnity, en lightens and quickens the conscience, teaches de pendence, gives true views of God, and pro duces such a change in us as renders it con sistent for him to change his course toward us. In the family, prayer intensifies and exacts de votion, secures domestic order, strengthens par ental government, and promotes religion. And objectively the Bible and Christian history abound in examples of answered prayer." (Schaff, Bib. Diet.