Wrestle....
Col. 4:7-18 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow-servant in the Lord. [8] I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. [9] He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.
[10] My fellow-prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) [11] Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my fellow-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. [12] 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. [13] I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. [14] Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. [15] Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.
[16] After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.
[17] Tell Archippus: "See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord."
[18] I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
Prayer can be hard work. I know that there are seasons of my life where I set off with good intentions about the time and direction of my prayer life. I list names of people and circumstances that must be prayed for in my diary and spend hours in prayer for them, day in day out for at least two days. Then it all dries up a little….
So I am encouraged by Paul’s description of his friend Epaphras, and a little bit jealous…. Here is a man who the Bible records as a prayer warrior, as someone who on bended knees upheld those around him. Paul says that he wrestled in prayer, and that about sums up my experience. Prolonged prayer is hard work, it is mentally, emotionally and physically exhausting. But the end result, as I have found time and time again in my life is worth it. For Epaphras, knowing that those he was praying for were going on in God must have been a great encouragement for his task.
[10] My fellow-prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) [11] Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my fellow-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. [12] 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. [13] I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. [14] Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. [15] Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.
[16] After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.
[17] Tell Archippus: "See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord."
[18] I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
Prayer can be hard work. I know that there are seasons of my life where I set off with good intentions about the time and direction of my prayer life. I list names of people and circumstances that must be prayed for in my diary and spend hours in prayer for them, day in day out for at least two days. Then it all dries up a little….
So I am encouraged by Paul’s description of his friend Epaphras, and a little bit jealous…. Here is a man who the Bible records as a prayer warrior, as someone who on bended knees upheld those around him. Paul says that he wrestled in prayer, and that about sums up my experience. Prolonged prayer is hard work, it is mentally, emotionally and physically exhausting. But the end result, as I have found time and time again in my life is worth it. For Epaphras, knowing that those he was praying for were going on in God must have been a great encouragement for his task.
posted by Gordon at
9:13 am
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