Do you sit face-to-face or side-by-side with God? Does your gender help you choose?

How do you like to communicate?

If you’re sitting with someone, especially a friend, how do you sit?

Generally, women will sit opposite each other - face-to-face.

Men, alternately, tend to sit side-by-side.

As a result, women have and can discern stronger emotional connections while men have a more casual connection.

But, are these conversational dynamics reflected in our relationship with God?

Are they mirrored in the way we pray?

I recall an incident which reflected this when I was in senior high.

Back then, perfectly matching most church dynamics, I was the only male in a group mainly made up of females (I was outnumbered around 6:1).

For some reason we were discussing prayer and the mental images we get when we pray.

For most of the other members present, they pictured a majestic, transcendent, picture of throne rooms and grander.

I pictured sitting next to Jesus, on a balcony, having a beer. Far more incarnational.

My response was not appreciated.

Apparently, I wasn’t showing enough respect.

I was being too casual.

But, this image perfectly encapsulates male connection.

And, it baffled the ladies.

Why? Because I was valuing communication with God like a bloke.

They valued a more feminine communication style when it came to God.

So, does the way you prefer to communicate shape the way you also pray?

If you prefer action or problem solving - which tend to be more masculine traits - then your prayers will tend to be more detailed-oriented.

If you communicate in a more empathetic or nurturing manner, then your prayers will tend towards something more pastoral.

I wonder if churches take this into account when they consider who lead prayer in church.