Epaphras and Colossae: Prayer
Scripture Reading — Colossians 4:10-14
Epaphras...is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God...
Although Epaphras had moved on to work with other groups of believers, he had not abandoned the Colossian church. He was persevering with them through his prayers. Though he was not physically present with them in worship, they were not forgotten. They were remembered in the most important of ways: prayer.
Prayer is an essential part of mentoring someone in faith. God is the one in charge of molding hearts, so it is important for us to petition God to keep us and those whom we are mentoring aligned with his will. Epaphras prayed that the people of Colossae would stand firm in the will of God.
Epaphras is described as wrestling in prayer for the Colossians. He was struggling and persevering in prayer for the people he loved. He had invested in them initially by sharing his faith with them, and now he continued to invest in them by lifting them up in prayer to God.
We all have people we love whom we can pray for regularly. Jesus himself modeled for us what it meant to be faithful in prayer. If Jesus felt the need to intercede with his heavenly Father, how much more is this needed in our lives!
Consider today for whom you could be praying. Pray passionately for their faith and assurance and spiritual growth in Jesus’ name!
Lord, help us to pray faithfully for all your people. Keep us all standing firmly in your will and growing in the grace of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
About the author — Steven and Deb Koster
Steven and Deb Koster have a passion for marriages, families, and spiritual growth in the home. Both are ordained ministers in the Christian Reformed Church in North America. Steven formerly served as editor of Today and director of ReFrame's English-language outreach. Deb leads Family Fire, ReFrame’s family ministry at FamilyFire.com and on Facebook. The Kosters have three children.
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