COLOSSIANS 4:12
PRAYER WARRIOR
Colossians 4:12 (BSB) Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. He is always wrestlingG75 in prayer for you, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in the full will of God.
G75 agōnizŏmai – to struggle, lit. (to compete for a prize), fig. (to contend with an adversary), or gen. (to endeavor to accomplish something): – fight, labor fervently, strive.
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible
Lord, may I be like Epaphras
and wrestle in prayer for others.
May I labor fervently in intercession
for my precious sisters and brothers.
Have you ever wondered where we came up with the term “prayer warrior.” Perhaps it comes from this verse that speaks of one of Paul’s companions wrestling in prayer for his friends back home. The only way to contend with our adversary, the devil, is to turn him over to God. As we pray that fellow believers will stand firm in God’s will and be mature and assured in Christ, we are asking the Lord to defeat Satan in their lives. It is a battle because the enemy will do everything he can to distract you from prayer. We know there have been brothers and sisters who have fought for us in prayer, and we are grateful to the Lord for placing them in our lives.
Paul has taught us much about prayer in the prison epistles, both by direct instruction and examples from his own and his close companions’ prayer lives. Perhaps Paul’s experience in prison was like Susie’s friend Debbie’s experience with illness. After many surgeries and long hospital stays someone told her she should just give up and die since she could not do much anymore and wasn’t really living. Her response was that even lying in a hospital bed, she could pray for others; and maybe even had more time to pray for others. Therefore, she chose to believe that God still had a purpose for her on this earth. I (Susie) know she fervently prayed that God would bless me with children and was delighted to hear how He answered her prayers.
Intercessory prayer is a ministry, and it is hard work. Sometimes it involves allowing yourself to feel another’s pain. Many times, it is hard to see exactly how God is answering, but we must keep praying and trusting that in His perfect timing and in His own way, He will answer. Struggle, agonize in prayer for those you love. Then, oh what delight there will be as you see God move in their lives!
Father, help us to be faithful in intercession. When you awaken us with a concern for one of our family members or friends, help us to be alert to pray rather than resent the loss of sleep. Thank You for the many times You have given us the privilege of seeing You answer our prayers and those of other believers. Thank You for the example of Epaphras who wrestled in prayer that others might stand firm and be complete in Christ. Help us to do the same.