Colossians 4:12-18
Reflect
As we close the letter of Colossians, what stands out to me is how Paul describes Epaphras. He says that Epaphras is “always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured” (v12). Another translation uses the wording “always labouring fervently for you in prayer.” Translating “labouring fervently” uses words that “suggest heavy toil to the extent of pain” (Vaughan).
Epaphras was working hard in the area of prayer. We know from previous chapters that the church in Colossae was facing false teaching, so it makes sense why he was praying so much.
He was also wrestling in prayer for this church because he cared. Verse 13 tells us that he was working hard for them.
I know that I feel challenged by these few verses. Often the busyness of life can get in the way of the best of intentions to pray. But I want to be someone who wrestles in prayer for the people I care deeply about. Join me in thinking through a few questions this morning:
Who has God put in my life that I care deeply about?
What would it look like to set aside a few minutes to wrestle in prayer for them?
Erin Gibbard
Pray
- Pray for Pastor Dan, our Lead Team Pastor and his family.
- Pray for our Young Adults Pastor, Nathanael Trinh, his ministry, and his family.
- Pray for our Congregational Life Pastor, Melissa Chaffee and her family.
- Pray for our Communications Specialist, Katrina Grey.
- Pray for our McKernan Groups Assistant, Noah Okken.
- Pray for all our small group leaders.
- Pray for our Young Adults Ministry Assistant, Shone Williams.