Faith Over Chaos

I’d love to spend some meaningful time reflecting on prayer with you. Now, before you roll your eyes and think, “Oh great, another lecture on folding my hands just right,” hang with me. Jesus not only prayed often, but He actually took the time to teach us how to pray. And guess what: it wasn’t about fancy words or perfect posture. At the very beginning of His teaching on prayer, He starts with adoration—putting God first. Don’t miss that. Put God First.

“Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Your name.” (Matthew 6:9)

Then He keeps going in Matthew 6:10–13, walking us through submission (Your will be done), petition (give us bread, not just carbs but daily dependence), forgiveness (ouch, yes, even forgiving that person who cut you off in traffic), and deliverance (because temptation is real, and evil doesn’t take a day off).

And here’s what I find awesome: Jesus didn’t just give us words—He gave us a model. But I want to take it a step further and peek at His motions, His physical posture when He prayed. Did He look up? Did He bow down? Did He sigh so loudly the disciples thought He was groaning about dinner? Those details matter, because they show us prayer isn’t just lip service—it’s heart posture, sometimes expressed in body posture too.

Even Jesus had body language in prayer — and it wasn’t always the same. It wasn’t a one‑size‑fits‑all pose. At times we see Jesus turning His gaze heavenward in prayer. Picture Him feeding the 5,000 (Matthew 14:19) — “looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food.” He didn’t stare at the bread like, “This may go straight to the hips.” Instead, He raised His gaze to the Father, showing gratitude.

And then there’s John 17, the “High Priestly Prayer.” “Jesus lifted up His eyes to heaven and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son…’” (John 17:1). He wasn’t mumbling into His sandals — His eyes were fixed above, locked in, and His words carried confidence.

And here’s your gentle nudge: if you don’t recall John 17, go back and read it. Spoiler alert — He’s praying for us in that prayer. Yes, you. Yes, me. Yes, even the sister in Christ who still hasn’t returned your casserole dish.

And again, when He raised Lazarus (John 11:41), Jesus lifted His face in thanks to the Father before casually calling a dead man out of a tomb. No big deal.

But Jesus didn’t always lift His gaze. Sometimes His prayers dropped Him flat on the ground. In Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39), He collapsed face‑first and prayed, “Father, if it’s possible, let this cup pass from Me…” That’s not a polite head‑nod prayer. That’s full‑on dirt‑in‑your‑eyelashes, ugly‑cry surrender.

And on the cross (John 19:30), He lowered His head and released His spirit — the ultimate act of submission. No grand gestures, no dramatic posture, just a bowed head marking the moment of complete surrender.

So, what’s the point, Deb? Well, I’m glad you asked. Jesus modeled both. He showed us that whether we’re standing in the middle of abundance or crawling through the chaos, we can lift our eyes or bow our heads — and He is still there.

It’s almost like He’s whispering, “Prayer isn’t about looking holy, it’s about being honest.” Because let’s be real: God isn’t grading us on posture points. He’s listening for the heart behind the words — whether they come with lifted eyes, bowed heads, or even tear‑stained cheeks.

Helping you find peace in the garden again— whether your eyes are lifted in gratitude or your face is pressed in surrender.

Take a moment to lift your eyes or bow your head, and let your heart be honest before God.

1. How might your physical posture reflect the posture of your heart today?
2. If God isn’t grading posture points, what would your “real” prayer look like today?
3. How might shifting your physical posture help you?
4. Think about a time your prayer felt more meltdown than masterpiece — what did God show you there?