PODCAST
Wrestling in Prayer
July 4th, 2013
Colossians 4:10-18
The apostle Paul’s epistles reveal that he surrounded himself with many dedicated coworkers. Sometime ago I attempted to number those mentioned by Paul as his associates in ministry. I found more than 75 persons named. Paul indicates the deep love and appreciation he had for each of them. He saw them as beloved brothers and sisters.
Epaphras was one of those beloved fellow workers. Paul refers to him as a “dear fellow servant who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf” (1:7). Epaphras had a significant part in planting of the church in Colossae. Though Epaphras was now many miles away he still played an active part in the life of the church. He was committed to urgent intercessory prayer. He knew Satan and false teachers would attack them. He prayed fervently that they “may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God” (RSV).
Most of us are not “up front” leaders in our churches, but we can be “fellow workers” with them. May we be faithful ministers on their behalf, surrounding our churches with intense intercession.
Author: Ronald Beech
