“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.” Colossians 4:12
Epaphras is the kind of person you want as a friend. How would you feel if you knew there was someone who cared about you and loved you enough to go to battle for you, in prayer, that you might know the God who holds all things together and is sovereign over all? How would you feel if someone struggled on your behalf, in prayer, for you to be set free from your alcohol, drug, porn, gambling, or any other addiction? For your battle with depression, anger, self-esteem, loneliness, and unforgiveness? For your marriage to be healed? For your sadness to be turned to joy? For your child who is sick? For your son or daughter who is a wandering soul? For your salvation? For you to know the depth of the riches of Christ?
When I was a sophomore in high school (a very difficult time in my life), I remember my parents struggling on my behalf for me to meet godly friends who would influence my life in a way that pointed me to Jesus. I’m sure that my parents weren’t the only ones praying for me, but they struggled on my behalf in prayer. As a result, God did bring two friends into my life who God used to change my life. Their struggle was not in vain. “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” (James 4:16)
Struggling on behalf of others in prayer is one of the most Christ-like and loving acts in which you can engage. So here’s a couple of questions to think about: On whose behalf are you struggling in prayer? And, who have you asked to struggle on your behalf in prayer so that you might stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God?
The struggle needs to be real.
Comments