We all have struggled from time to time in our life. We struggle because of the loss of a loved one. We want answers, but none seem to come. We struggle with our children and how, or what they plan to do with their lives. We struggle with finances, never seeming to have enough to get ahead in life. All of these struggles were about our own situations, things that concern us or our immediate family. It is a normal thing to struggle with uncomfortable situations. But, have you ever struggled in prayer for someone else?
In Colossians 4:12-13, Paul introduces us to another companion of his. He gives us insight into the life of Epaphras. It says Epaphras was always laboring in fervent prayer for those in the Colossian church. The word laboring in Greek means agonizing. The word indicates an intense desire that he had for their salvation, and he was earnestly pleading for their welfare. Epaphras was not saying a few words to the Lord and mentioning their names, he was wrestling in prayer for them. Wow, what a testimony! What a legacy, to be remembered as a man of deep, intense prayer for others.
Colossians 4:12-13 “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.”
It may seem strange to you that talking to God is described as labor, but the prayer that Epaphras was engaged in was intercessory prayer. He wasn’t asking for things for himself. He was asking for them to maintain their Christian principles without any error. He wanted them to be complete, and to perform the will of God in every aspect of their lives. He was not seeking things for them, but spiritual maturity. I’m afraid that most of our prayers, especially those we are concerned about enough to be intense, are prayers for ourselves or those close to us. It is right to pray for our own needs, God tells us to bring our request to Him, but we should be concerned about the needs of others. I believe if we are others-focused, God will take care of us.
We should be consumed with praying for the unsaved, the wayward child of God, the discouraged, and the physical needs of others. Philippians 2:3-4 teaches us to be others-focused, not self-absorbed. Stephen gave us an excellent example in Acts 7:59-60. He was being stoned to death, and in his dying breath, he asked God not to hold this sin against them. Much like the prayer of Jesus in Luke 23:34 when he was dying on the cross.
Act 7:59-60 “And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”
Luke 23:34 “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”
Why is it hard for us to pray consistently and intensely? Why does it seem like a struggle at times? It’s because it is a spiritual conflict. Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:12 that we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against powers and rulers of darkness. We are wrestling against the spiritual things of wickedness. Demons are doing the bidding of Satan, and their job is to detain the progress of a Christian in any way they can. Satan desires to control the earth and those who are on it. However, Jesus is the rightful owner as creator and redeemer. Satan will not give up trying until he is bound and thrown into Hell. If we succeed in prayer, we are to be like Epaphras. We are to labor in prayer for others. It is a challenging task, no doubt, but a task that will yield great rewards, both here and in Heaven.
Ephesians 6:12 “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
I’ve known only a few people in my life who were real prayer warriors for others. They have not only been great blessings because I knew they were praying for me, but they have also been great examples. I am so thankful for those people God has placed in my life. They challenge me to be better at praying.
Epaphras gave us an example. Let’s do our best to follow.
