Not every observation I make in the Scriptures turns immediately into an application. Nevertheless, making the observation is important, I think — it gives the Holy Spirit something to work with. This morning, it’s an observation about prayer.

Prayer’s one of my “hot topics” that I keep an eye open for when I read in the morning. When I encounter something about prayer, or someone praying, or a prayer itself I’ll shade it with my purple colored-pencil. Not because I have prayer figured out and need the reinforcement, but because I still so struggle with prayer and need the encouragement. This morning, it’s a pretty simple observation, Peter knelt down and prayed.

Context? The death of a disciple of Jesus, a woman known as Tabitha. She was well-regarded and highly-esteemed among the company of believers, known as a woman who “was full of goods works and acts of charity” (Act 9:36). But she became ill and died. Her friends and family in Christ, however, were not ready to let her go. They heard Peter was in the neighborhood and that where Peter went mighty miracles were present (Acts 9:32-35). So, they call for Peter. And so, Peter comes. He arrives and they take him to see her body “lying in state” in an upper room. Next to Peter, looking upon Tabitha’s lifeless body, are those mourning her loss.

But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

(Acts 9:40-42 ESV)

Standing before the lifeless body of someone now “away from the body and at home with the Lord” (2Cor. 5:8), Peter is prompted by the Spirit to pray. I think Peter knew that with the power he had been given to do signs among the people in order to authenticate the salvation found only in Jesus, that raising Tabitha from the dead was a possibility. But that he could didn’t necessarily mean he should. And so, he prayed. Prompted by the Spirit, he had a conversation with the Father about knowing the mind of the Son.

But what I also notice is that he knelt down and prayed. Not only is his process for seeking the mind of Christ mentioned, but his posture as well.

There’s no one else in the room. Peter’s alone. So, he’s not doing it to be an example to others of the need to humble yourself in the sight of the Lord (James 4:10 NKJV). No, the only one present in this sacred, upper room prayer closet is the “Father who is in secret”, “your Father who sees in secret” (Mt. 6:6). And on such a matter, as to whether or not to bring the dead to life again, Peter is compelled to kneel down and pray.

There’s something about kneeling and praying to be observed here. Not a formula necessarily, but a form which I’m thinking should be noted. Not a “to do” to always be done, but a way of seeking God’s will which should not be discarded and perhaps more often deployed.

There’s a time to pray, and there’s a time to pray on our knees. 

Like I said, not that we must always be on our knees, but I am led to probe, “Am I ever on my knees?” Not just out of self-disciplined compliance, but because I am sensitive to a Spirit-prompted compulsion?

Peter knelt down and prayed. Just him in a room, along with a great need and uncertain what to do. Aware that if he were to do something, it couldn’t be done in his own power and without earnest petition.

Hmm . . . worth observing. Worth applying in some manner.

Work with it, Spirit.

Show me, Lord.

By Your grace. For Your glory.