We Should All be Like Epaphras

To develop an appreciation for just how God values those who intercede, consider Epaphras, mentioned three times in the scriptures.

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

God calls Epaphras a “faithful minister” of Christ. What an honor! And shortly after, we understand why.

Colossians 4:12 – Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly [Greek: agōnizomenos] for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.

“Laboring earnestly” is one Greek verb which means “struggling”. Epaphras was held in such high esteem by God because he had a “very intense” prayer life, not for himself but much more importantly, for his brethren. He is only mentioned 3 times in the scriptures, and this – his prayer life for others – is what he will always be remembered for. This is what God values. What do we want God to remember us for?

Interestingly, his request in his prayers seemed to be essentially the same request Jesus made for Peter: that his people will stay fully assured of their faith toward God. Clearly, there is no greater part of us that is at stake than our faith; the faith of our brothers and sisters, and the faith of those we do not even know. Our brethren often fall prey to the temptations of the devil, but our fervent prayers can do so much to prevent the devil from moving further with his plans.

Spiritual Fight…Spiritual Weapon

In Ephesians 6, Paul reminds us that our fight is a spiritual fight, requiring spiritual weaponry. The last weapon he introduces is prayers, telling us that we should “always” pray for all saints.

Ephesians 6:18 – With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, 19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel

What a responsibility we have! While it is good to pray for ourselves, it is far better to pray for others; for it is impossible for God to deny our own needs when we are consumed with the well-being and the needs of our brethren. We know from 1 Peter 5:8 that Satan is roaming around, and we are told that “daily” he accuses us, seeking permission to sift us as wheat, to shred our lives. And indeed, looking around us, we can see that some of his requests are granted. Many of our brethren live a life of spiritual defeat, they are being robbed of everything, and their faith is shaken, and perhaps even, falling in the process. O that we would intercede! My brethren, let us intercede! Let us bring our prayer life to the next level, focusing less on ourselves and more on others. This is not just about being the “moral” thing to do. This is spiritual warfare, and we are in it! To the God of our Lord be all the praise, Glory without end!