Heart Posture: Straighten Up

I recently noted that when the disciples asked Jesus, “Teach us how to pray” (Luke 11:1), they were seeking more than a formula; they wanted the kind of deep intimacy and dependence on God that characterized Jesus’s own prayer life. This desire points to the idea of “heart posture.”

What does “heart posture” mean? In a Christian context, it’s the internal orientation of our hearts—the attitudes, motives, and openness toward God and others. As Nancy Kay Grace once wrote, “Posture is important in life,” and that includes our spiritual posture. We can “straighten up” not only physically, but spiritually, by checking the true condition of our hearts.

Why does it matter? The Lord said to Samuel, “Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). Outward actions can seem righteous, yet God is most concerned with our inner being.

In Luke 18:9–17, Jesus tells the story of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. Although the Pharisee appeared devout, his heart was filled with pride. In contrast, the Tax Collector was despised by society but came before God humbly—and left justified.

At its core, heart posture is about who or what is enthroned in your heart. When Christ truly reigns within us, our attitudes, decisions, and actions will increasingly reflect His character. Through humility, a God-first mindset, and a willingness to be led by the Holy Spirit, we maintain a heart posture that honors Christ. This shapes not only our worship and prayer, but every facet of our lives.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)