Kinesthetic Prayer In the Bible
When you mention prayer, most people imagine sitting in a chair, bowing their heads, and speaking words out loud. While this is a beautiful way to pray that has been preserved through the ages, this can also be difficult for many to stay focused and engaged. If this is you- there is good news! Throughout the Bible, we actually see prayer modeled in a lot of different ways, and many of these are highly engaging and interactive.
I was a teacher for many years, and most educators know that simply talking at people doesn’t work. The more you can involve your students in the learning, the more they will remember, and internalize what you are teaching them. This is how God made us. We are not one dimensional beings, but we are made of body, mind and soul. Since God made us this way, this is also how he designed us to connect with Him- using our whole being.
When we look at the Hebrew traditions in the Bible, we can see prayer woven into life many powerful ways. The Passover meal, for example, wasn’t just a dinner; it was a hands-on, multi-generational teaching moment. Children asked questions, parents answered, and each food item—bitter herbs, unleavened bread, the lamb—held a deep meaning that connected the people to God’s story of salvation. Passover didn’t just engage the mind; it engaged the body and the senses, helping the people remember God's deliverance in a tangible way.
Another great example is the celebration of Sukkot, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles. This festival commemorates Israel’s time in the wilderness by having families build temporary shelters, or "sukkahs," to live in during the celebration. Imagine the physical act of constructing these makeshift homes, stepping inside them, feeling the wind blow through the branches—it's about as kinesthetic as worship can get! And it wasn’t just about building a fort for fun—it connected people to God’s provision during the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness. It involved movement, creativity, and a reminder of their dependence on God.
Even in daily prayer, the Israelites used prayer shawls with tassels that reminded them of God’s commandments and they tied little boxes to their heads to remind them that his commandments were to always be at the front of their minds. They didn’t just talk at God; they touched, held, and wore reminders of His Word, involving their bodies in their prayers.
The Bible is full of other examples where people prayed using their whole being. David danced before the Lord, offering a prayer of joy and praise with his entire body. Moses climbed mountains to meet with God, physically moving toward the sacred encounter, and when Jesus prayed, he modeled what it looks like to walk with God. He brought us back to what Adam and Eve had in the garden- the ability to encounter God in prayer anytime, anywhere.
Prayer was never meant to be just talking. It was designed to be lived, experienced, and shared.
So next time you pray, think through how you can involve your whole being, not just your mind. I believe that as you do so, you will find your prayer life coming to life in more ways than you ever thought possible!
"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." - Jeremiah 33:3
