Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.
Colossians 4:12-13 NIV
We don’t know much about Epaphras. But what a legacy he leaves us as a prayer warrior. He is likely a member of the church at Colossae who was serving with Paul. Paul commends Epaphras to them, telling the church that he is always wrestling in prayer for them. Praying that they would stand fully mature and assured in the Lord.
I must confess that I am unsure just how one wrestles in prayer. But clearly it involves an earnestness and intensity. It is much more than just a passing request. I can imagine Epaphras with a prayer list for his church including everyone who is a part of the body, all of their needs, and any problems they are facing. But more than that, he is praying for the spiritual maturity of each member and the body as a whole. Specifically lifting each of them up before the throne of God.
And he is doing this constantly. It is not something that he does occasionally. It is a priority for him. Something that he is investing much time and effort into.
When Paul tells the church that Epaphras is working hard for them, I am sure that he means more than his praying. Epaphras is serving Paul on their behalf, and is working hard at it. But I am sure that his hard work does include his prayer for them. Wrestling in prayer for them goes hand in hand with working hard for them.
It seems to me that Epaphras is the very definition of a prayer warrior.
Thx Ed , that was useful I added never to cease because consistency is confidence
Glad to be able to help
And all flesh shal see it together for love – thx motivational and inspiring always wondered why my Elder loved to quote out of Collosians. Noted the prayer of Epaphras also saw prayers of David, Moses, Paul and Jesus, are their any other prayers I need concentrate on ??
Paul’s prayers in Ephesians 1:15-23; 3:14-21, in Colossians 1:9-14, and Philippians 1:9-11 are among my favorites. How to pray for spiritual growth in a person or church.