If you are looking for the posts about
God's Amazing Blessing
Announcement—I'm moving!
here's the link to the first Part:
Then follow the arrows at the bottom of each post to the next Part.
There are 10 parts in all.
I recommend that you read each part, there are amazing details—
and God took care of each and every one!
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Epaphras, who is one of yourselves, a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. [He is] always striving for you earnestly in his prayers, [pleading] that you may [as persons of ripe character and clear conviction] stand firm andmature [in spiritual growth], convinced and fully assured in everything willed by God. Colossians 4:12 (AMP)
Prayer Warrior. Epaphras, was a man who prayed and not just "superficial" prayers. But specifically for the spiritual well-being of the Colossians.
Prayer is vital in the Christian life. First personally praying, then praying for others. Often we neglect this unique and powerful opportunity God has given us. We can enter into the Throne of Grace at anytime to talk with God Almighty. We can share our thoughts, our hurts, our questions, our joys, our disappointments, our blessings—we can share it all with God. As we talk with God, our hearts need to be open to hearing and learning what God's will is regarding a situation.
Praying for others, being a Prayer Warrior, is a ministry which we EACH can do. And not just "get well" or "help so-and-so", but deep spiritual prayers one for another.
Epaphras focused on the character of the person. That goes back to Colossians 3:1-17 "put on". He then prayed that each person would KNOW God's Truth and His will acting in accordance with that knowledge. That's the substance of a true Prayer Warrior's conversation with God.
It's been almost 15 years since I injured my back. And I have heard, more times than I can count, "I prayed that you'd be healed." or "I prayed for less pain." And I'm thankful that God is hearing my name. However, in that 15 years, I have rarely heard that "I prayed for your spiritual well-being." Or "I prayed that you would grow in God's grace as you live in pain."
Praying for the physical well-being is not a bad thing, but it's only part of the person. Praying for the spiritual well-being is vital. Look at what Epaphras prayed (vs 12).
He prays for your spiritual journey, that you will continue to mature and stand tall in the kind of confidence that comes from knowing God’s will. Colossians 4:12 (VOICE)
Maturity and confidence from knowing God's will. As we each mature and gain confidence in knowing God's will, our lives will change and we will be able to handle the journey God has for us—no matter what that journey is.
If I want my prayer life to move from the surface prayers to deep conversations with God, and if I want to be a true Prayer Warrior, my heart must be permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG).
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