DOES YOUR HEART HAVE CAMEL KNEES?


We have all observed the knees of a camel – they are calloused from kneeling so often. James, the brother of Jesus, was the writer of the Book of James and has been known in history as, “Old Camel Knees,” because his knees were calloused due to his kneeling frequently in prayer. We don’t have to, but when bowing our knees when we pray there is that sense of humility that God honors. The most important thing to God is not the posture of the knees but the posture of the heart.

Do we come often, perseveringly (I Thess.5:17), with ‘bowed’ heart, recognizing our complete need of our Lord; adoring Him, praising Him for Who He is, thanking Him for His goodness to us and presenting our petitions to Him, all in faith believing? If we are doing this daily, and even momentarily, our hearts will develop “camel knees.”

In James 5:16, he tells us that with this fervent heart posture our prayers will be powerful and effective, heard and answered. In this book James warns us of some hindrances to answered prayer: 1) a doubtful and unbelieving heart (1:6-8), 2) we do not ask (4:2c),
3)we ask with wrong motives (4:3).

God is not reluctant to answer our prayers. In fact, He longs to answer our prayers. But when we come, we must come with a bowed (humble) heart, godly motives, specific requests, all with trusting hearts. You may bow on your knees when you pray but the only prayers God will acknowledge are those offered with a ‘bowed’ heart.

Does your heart have ‘camel knees’? If it does, your reward will be great here and for eternity!


SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER
(William W. Walford)

Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer, that calls me from a world of care,
And bids me at my Father’s throne, Make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief, my soul has often found relief, and oft escaped the tempter’s snare, by thy return, sweet hour of prayer.

Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer, thy wings shall my petition bear, to Him whose truth and faithfulness engage the waiting soul to bless. And since He bids me seek His face, believe His Word and trust His grace, I’ll cast on Him my ev’ry care and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer.

The sweetest time of the day is the time you are in prayer.

Mary Jones