I’ve been pondering recently how to have more meaningful daily prayers. In a devotional at Brigham Young University, Elder Steven D. Shumway of the Seventy shared a practical suggestion that was just what I was looking for.

The Bible Dictionary teaches that “prayer is a form of work.” Elder Shumway expanded on that principle by saying, “There are many ways we can work at our prayers, including giving attention to our posture, listening, recording, and acting on impressions, and developing sincere questions to take to the Lord in counsel” (emphasis added).

I hadn’t thought of my posture as being one way I could deepen my daily prayers. But think of the examples set forth in the scriptures: Often before someone prays, we read about their physical stance. Here are a few instances:

• Enos says, “I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer.”
• In 3 Nephi, the Savior commands the multitude to “kneel down upon the ground,” and “he himself also knelt upon the earth” before beginning to pray.
• In both the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants, priesthood holders are instructed to kneel before blessing the sacrament. 
• In Joseph Smith—History, we read that Joseph “kneeled down” to pray before receiving the First Vision. Elder Shumway says of that moment, “Perhaps the first and most sacred lesson of the Restoration is that when we kneel in sincerity and call upon God, He delivers.”

Our living prophet, President Dallin H. Oaks, has also mentioned kneeling for prayer. In the October 2025 conference, he said, “Great blessings come to families if they pray together, kneeling night and morning to offer thanks for blessings and to pray over common concerns.”

Of course, it is always a beautiful thing to pray, however and whenever we can. Heavenly Father hears every prayer, whether we say it aloud while kneeling at our bedside or silently as we walk down the street.

It’s not that a kneeling prayer is easier for God to hear; it doesn’t help Him. But I do believe that paying attention to our posture can help us.¹ Resisting the urge to slouch across my bed as I pray keeps me focused, and I feel more reverence. I like to imagine how I would hold myself if I were actually in front of Heavenly Father. Doing so helps me remember just how real, attentive, and close He is. As one of our new beautiful hymns says:

I want to feel that closeness every day. And I believe the small and simple act of being mindful of my posture will remind me that He truly is nearby.

If you’d like more ideas and insights on having meaningful prayers, I recommend exploring the articles below.

▶ What I do now when God answers my prayers with silence
▶ A way to hear God’s answers more clearly when you’re making decisions
▶ Does God feel far away? Try this when you pray

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How Great Thou Art relies on ancient and modern scripture to help readers understand what we knew of God in our premortal life, how God makes Himself known, what God's character is like, and how we can becomes more like Him. Available now at Deseret Book and deseretbook.com.

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Note
1. When kneeling isn’t possible or practical, we can still be intentional with our posture. President Russell M. Nelson taught: “We often kneel to pray; we may stand or be seated. Physical position is less important than is spiritual submission to God.”