Colossians 4:12-13 (ESV Strong's)
Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.
Tag: Struggling in Prayer for Others
Epaphras was not a famous Christian believer in the early church. But, he was to Paul. When writing to the church at Colossi, Paul wanted to commend his spiritual warfare for the Colossian church. Epaphras was a prayer warrior. He was “struggling” in prayer for this church. In the body of believers, a prayer warrior is not often celebrated. Paul makes a big deal about Epaphras. He committed himself to the aspect of prayer for this group of believers. Someone has to be that person in churches. Paul states that “he has worked hard for you.” Paul does not see this as a job for the weak, timid or lazy. Prayer, to Paul, IS THE WORK. Paul yells the church at Ephesus to arm themselves with prayer:
Ephesians 6:18-20 (ESV Strong's)
praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
We are to make prayer part of our armor.
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