A Posture of Prayer

Mike Dwyer / Executive Pastor of Operations and Care

As I have been studying the book of Ephesians this month, I came upon something I found interesting that I thought I would share with you. In chapter three of the book, in the fourteenth verse, Paul starts by writing “For this reason I kneel before the Father…” Hmmm, why is that so significant? Why was I so arrested by this? Perhaps it is because I had never seen the significance of Paul pointing this out.

You see, Paul made a very rare reference to his posture of prayer. At that time typically Jews stood and only Gentiles knelt. Perhaps it was an attempt by Paul to associate with his Gentile readers. That would make sense in view of the purposes of the letter. Kneeling has always been an accepted practice among Christians. In my previous Catholic background pulling out the kneeler to pray is just what everybody did. Someone once told me that kneeling was appropriate because it was an expression of the human race’s fall from grace. I have heard many “wise” folks discuss the appropriate posture for prayer. I believe that Paul’s reference helps to remind us of the privilege that we have to be able to pray.

We have lost some of the sense of awesomeness because we so often enter into the practice of prayer. For some, it has lost the sense of wonder that it should engender. It is easy for us to forget that we who sin are allowed to speak directly with the Father, who is Perfect and Holy. We may overlook the fact that we have access to enter into the presence of the One who spoke all things into existence. We can become so accustomed to our own activity that we forget how ignorant we are and how all-knowing God is.

Indeed, I believe that Paul is reminding us that we all have the freedom to come and go at will before the King of Kings. It is no wonder that Paul knelt in prayer. Take a look at Ephesian 3:14. I pray that you will once again find the awe and joy in kneeling before our Heavenly Father. Peace be with you all.