Emulating Epaphras!

LIFE CHANGER! Who are those top 3-5 people you pray for every morning? (rhetorical question) Okay, ever wonder how to pray for someone? You will never again have that wonder after your grab this 1 Bible verse!

All who are learning to love God are then equally learning to love people – to love others and put them above ourselves (Philippians 2:3-5).

Why not assertively, proactively have a list of people you are lifting in prayer every morning? Isn’t that what we can learn from brother Epap? WHO? WHAT? … Let us learn from the life of Epaphras.

An enlightened prayer life requires the illumination of the Word of our God. Watch this:

“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

Gospel Key: Wondering how to pray for someone? Wonder no more! God told you exactly how to pray! Read the Bible verse above again and grab that last line in particular! BAM

GAME CHANGER! WHAT’s your prayer list looking like? Someone may say “But brother WHAT do I pray for the people on my prayer list?” GREAT QUESTION and don’t you know GOD has that answer! Boom. Excuse me while I get super excited about this divine nugget of HIS truth! (3 John 4)

Notice this as we widen the lense a bit by taking a look at the words following our main verse:

“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. 13 For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.” Colossians 4:12-13 

Notice how this beloved brother Epaphras cared deeply for and was concerned and praying for those of Christ’s saints in Colosse and also the surrounding towns – “for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.”

What an example of Christlikeness! Epaphras interceded for the saints just like Jesus did in redemption and does now in intercession for those He died to save (Heb. 7:24-25). This man’s life was given over to the LORD and the power of the Holy Ghost was elevating him to bring God glory by blessing His beloved saints. Though Epaphras’ name appears only 3 times in the New Testament canon, His impact is great.

Notice that Epaphras was “one of you.” In other words, Epaphras was not an apostle or prophet but a simple saint of God, purchased by the blood of Christ. He served. He prayed. He interceded on behalf of Christ and His people. What a servant Epaphras was! What a Savior Jesus is!

Epaphras’ love for God and His people was profound. He labored deliberately, fervently, diligently, and perpetually in prayer communion with God for the saints. Epaphras was possessed or infused with the divine desire to see His beloved people for whom Christ bled brought to holiness and maturity.

“We are Epaphras to one another. Colossians 4:12.” Stephen Michels

ARE you praying for members of Christ’s body? Never think this to be a menial task. Oh no. Nothing could be more important than carrying one of God’s children to Him in prayer. Beloved of God, you are an Epaphras to Christ’s body, praying vigilantly and tirelessly that they will “stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.” (Colossians 4:12)

“GOD is our sustaining force via prayer.

The Holy Spirit praying for us from within,

Jesus, our risen Savior and High Priest praying for us at the right hand of God, Brothers and sisters in Christ praying for us on this earth, and us praying for believers everywhere, even those we’ve never met. Ephesians 6:18

Each member of Christ’s body should be assured of the constant prayer of other believers as well as lifting up in prayer other believers themselves.” Debbie Lord

WHEN we obey God by praying for other of His saints, we are walking in the mind of Christ as we esteem others better than ourselves (Philippians 2:3-5).

Like Epaphras, perhaps we should consider obeying the LORD in lifting up our brethren in prayer to the Father through Christ, the Great Intercessor, and spend less time judging them in our minds, hearts, and words.

What Epaphras did: “always labouring fervently for you in prayers”

What Epaphras desired of the LORD: “that ye (the brethren) may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God”

The LORD desires to “perfect and complete” His saints “in all the will of God.” Those who follow Christ closely desire what He desires – that His saints grow in grace and truth and are standing perfect (sinless, victorious, and maturing) in His sight. Does not the Word inform us that Jesus Christ perpetually intercedes for His own at His Father’s right hand? Is this your desire? Do you align with Jesus by praying for His children that they might be perfected and completed in relationship with Him?

Epaphras entrenched himself in prayer and interceded for the saints in his locale and day. Will you do the same? If not, who will? Epaphras answered the call of God to intercede for those of his day. He died to the self-life that he might please God by lifting His people to Him in prayer. What if Epaphras had not interceded for those believers in his day? As concerning this calling to intercede, will Jesus one day welcome you with “Well done my good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of the LORD”? (Matt. 25)

“…always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.” Colossians 4:12

Saints, let us never leave our prayer closets until we have lifted God’s people in prayer – individuals and the entire body of Christ in general.

Ready to be like the example the beloved Epaphras gave us? Ever wonder what to pray? Can you think of just 3 people God has put around you to pray for?

Ever run out of things to pray? Not anymore! God’s Word is God’s will so we pray God’s Word for God’s people.

“Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:” 1 Samuel 12:23

Prayerlessness is sin!

Every day God grants us the privilege to pray for His saints which gets our minds off of ourselves. This is one of the many benefits of developing a sincere and diligent life of prayer. It’s not hard – Just do it.

As you pray daily in your private prayer closet and throughout your day, feel free to try this prayer if you are so led beloved:

“Holy Father, in Jesus’ holy name and by the power of His precious blood that speaks in Heaven for Your Church, bless _________________ to stand perfect and complete in the whole will of God, conforming their life to the image of Your Son. Thank You that You are continuing that good work You began in ____________________ and perfecting that which concerns their life until the day of the LORD Jesus Christ’s soon return. Amen.

YOUR PRAYER: Holy Father, bless me to love Your people. Please forgive my sin of prayerlessness and for judging Your people in my heart and mind – when I should have been praying for them. Help me to do what You came to do Jesus, to save and not condemn. LORD, I decide now to begin a whole new walk – one of continual intercession for Your beloved saints that they might stand perfect and complete in Your sight, in Your perfect will. I love You Jesus and thank You for loving, finding, and forgiving all my sin and I look eagerly for Your soon return as I trust You and fervently prepare and pray for others of Your children to be ready when You soon return. In Jesus’ name, amen.

LISTEN: Prayer Mission of Epaphras Podcast

Inspire your prayer life here.

Epaphras’ name is listed 3 times in the New Testament. Apparently, from the last one, we see he may have been in prison with the apostle Paul.

“As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;” Colossians 1:7

“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

“There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;” Philemon 1:23

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