Is prayer an act within the mind with outward expression or can it be internal?

[Roughsoul1991]

after 45 years saved I still have no definitive answer to that one. I mostly pray inwardly ... expressed sometimes in sighs or expressions of joy or praise.

The sighful prayers are common for me. Exhaustion is no stranger.

 

[pottersclay]

We should pray as the Holy Spirit leads us.
The instructions of prayer is not weather it should be heard or silent but if its sincere and honest.
Do we pray out loud to be heard of men or God? Do we pray silently but posture in a way to be seen of men or God?
Do we pray silently because we are afraid to speak openly.? All issues of the heart.
Do we pray as a child who ask of his father? Are we in prayer with our God who we should reverence as most high?
Be honest in your heart and motives, sincere in your asking. Praying that his will be done.
Pray in expectation that you are heard and have or will have a answer.
For the lord knows your thoughts and hearts he resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Pray in season and out of season instructing your soul you were bought with a price and that your life is not your own.
Giving thanks always . For prayer is a privilege and not a right bought with a heavey price.

 

[Chester]

Good question: and I here give my thoughts -- not so much a Scriptural basis - but my experience and thinking . . .

First of all, if one would say that only prayers prayed while kneeling, or only audible prayers, etc. can/will be heard by God -- then this would in any situation rule out certain people as being unable to pray:

Example: The dumb person (unable to talk) is ruled out if prayer must be audible
The person with no legs would have a very difficult time if prayer had to be kneeling

Well, then, the objection might be that God could/would make an exception for the dumb person: but if He can hear the dumb person's inaudible prayer, then He can also hear my inaudible prayer!

Having said that, I think that there is extreme value in posture in prayer: both for ourselves - being prostrate before God shows reverence/awe/respect; and for others - as in the case of Daniel praying - it was a testimony to others.

 

[Simona1988]

The praying position of Elijah:

 

[Taranis]

I was watching a documentary on a man who had been tortured and imprisoned for 14 years due to his faith. Every night he would pray and every night he was beaten. He would be seen on his knees, hands folded, and head bowed.

I was thinking couldn't he just pray without outward expression? Wouldn't the prayer still be heard.

But I suppose he was using the outward expression to try and evangelize the guards and give hope to other prisoners.

Daniel was seen in his usual outward expression of prayer through his window of his private room. That of course, led to his night in the lion's den.

Jesus was seen in the garden face down in prayer.

It has me thinking does outward expression matter? Saying a prayer while driving seems to be just as efficient but your passenger may not even know.

Jesus gave us a model prayer and told us to pray in private. But does posture matter? Should it be like in reverence of a King or like a relationship with a friend?

Prayer is a wierd thing, it can change your Life, with Positive outlook, and If there is a GOD, Who knows?