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741. Standing During Prayer

From: Manners and Customs of the Bible

By: James M. Freeman

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Mark 11:25²⁵And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. (Mark 11:25). When ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any.

Standing, as well as kneeling, was, among the Jews, an ancient posture during prayer. There are several other Scripture references to it besides the text. See 1 Sam 1:26; 1 Kings 8:22²²And Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven: (1 Kings 8:22); 2 Chronicles 6:13¹³For 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, (2 Chronicles 6:13); Luke 18:11,13¹¹The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. (Luke 18:11)
¹³And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. (Luke 18:13). While in this attitude the hands were sometimes stretched out heavenward. See note on 1 Kings 8:22²²And Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven: (1 Kings 8:22) (#300). The ancient Persians and Egyptians also stood in prayer; the latter sometimes also kneeled. Some of the varied postures of the Mohammedans in prayer are standing.

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Manners and Customs of the Bible

• 720. Peter in the Palace

• 721. The Porch

• 722. Position of the Accused

• 723. The Prisoner Released

• 724. Scourging

• 725. The Roman Cohort

• 726. The Robe

• 727. Executions Outside the Walls

• 728. Place of Capital Punishment

• 729. Stupefying Potion

• 730. Crucifixion

• 731. The Guard

• 732. The Tablet on the Cross

• 733. The Veil of the Temple

• 734. The "Door" of the Sepulcher

• 735. Sealing the Sepulcher

• 736. The Roof Broken Up

• 737. Boat Cushion

• 738. Tombs for Dwellings

• 739. Diligent Hand Washing

• 740. Corban

• 741. Standing During Prayer

• 742. Mite Farthing

• 743. Night Watches

• 744. An Exceptional Custom Pitcher

• 745. The "Upper Room"

• 746. Mode of Eating

• 747. Counselor

• 748. Wives of Priests

• 749. Naming the Child