Prayer is an essential part of every Christian's life.

It's not something reserved for church leaders or teachers or the particularly religious among us.

Today on Truth for Life, we'll examine the Apostle Paul's Prayer to find out why it was his highest priority, even above preaching.

Alistair Begg is teaching from the Book of Ephesians, or in chapter 3, looking today at verses 14-19.

Paul writes this immense letter, speaks of the glories and the wonders of God, and we're looking on his bedroom and where do we find him?

On his knees, selfless, selfless, because he is actually declaring his own helplessness.

When you and I pray, that's really what we're saying.

It's selfless, not only in terms of that obvious expression of dependence, but the selflessness is seen in his posture.

I think that's why he mentions it, for this reason I bow my knees. He lures himself physically, not as is an expression of formal routine, but in awareness of the fact that it is entirely appropriate.

Isaiah the Prophet anticipates the day when every knee, this is Isaiah 45-23, when one day every knee will bow.

Paul picks that up in Philippians 2. Remember, he says in one day at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow.

And we look in upon him in Rome, and he's getting a head start on things as he bows his knees.

His posture is an expression of the wonder and the awe that he feels before God, and his earnestness in seeking God.

Well, you say, now is this something you're going to introduce now? Now, we have to rearrange the seats again and get kneelers in here. How are we going to do this?

No, no, no, no, no, no, don't let's get carried away. The posture of our hearts is the issue.

I find it helpful. We kneel as elders as we pray in the prayer room before the services. We kneel together, we can sit, we can stand, we know where we want.

But we kneel as an expression of our dependence upon God. It's good to do. It gives me the opportunity as well to read my favorite little poem on posture and prayer.

And those of you who know it, you're excited now because you were saying to yourself, I hope you'll read that again.

And since I have no self-control, it's all I'm going to read it again.

The proper way for man to pray said, Deacon Lemuel keys, and the only proper attitude is down upon his knees.

Now, I should say the way to pray said, Reverend Dr. Wise, is standing straight with outstretched arms with wrapped and up turned eyes.

Oh, no, no, no, said elders, no, such posture is too proud. A man should pray with eyes fast-closed and head contritely bowed.

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