Week 44 – Day 2

PRAYER WARRIOR

Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
Colossians 4:12

How did we come up with the term “prayer warrior?” Perhaps it comes from this verse that speaks of one of Paul’s companions laboring, literally 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. 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 taught 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 similar to my (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 couldn’t do much anymore. 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 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’s 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 family members or friends, help us to be alert to pray rather than resent the loss of sleep. Thank You for allowing us to see Your answers to our prayers.