Prayer a Priority

If you are looking for the posts about

God's Amazing Blessing

Announcement—I'm moving!

here's the link to the first Part: 

http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2015/05/announcement-part-1-im-moving.html

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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This post is the continuation of my Study of Colossians.

For I bear him testimony that he has labored hard in your behalf and for [the believers] in Laodicea and those in Hierapolis. Colossians 4:13 (AMP)

Paul continues to talk about Epaphras (vs 12, the prayer warrior). 

For I bear him record: The apostle (Paul) was an eye and ear witness of his fervent prayers, his labour of love, and zealous affection for these saints and others; and therefore, as he judged he ought, he bears a testimony for him,

that he hath a great zeal for you: for their spiritual welfare, that the Gospel might continue with them, and they in that, against false teachers, and their attempts to subvert them; that they might grow in the grace of the Gospel, and walk worthy of it, and be at peace among themselves:

and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis: here were many believers, for whom Epaphras had a like zeal and affections as for the Colossians, and to whom very likely he had been useful, either in conversion or edification, or both. John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

What an awesome testimony to have—a prayer warrior who has labored hard, who is zealous affection for other christians, and who makes prayer a priority. 

I often wonder what our Churches and Nation would be like, if we each were a bit more like Epaphras. If we made deep spiritual prayer a priority. If we went beyond the "get well", "feel better" surface prayers, and prayed earnestly for maturity and confidence in knowing God's will. 

Making prayer a priority and laboring hard on the behalf of believers—begins when my heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG).

Prayer Warrior

If you are looking for the posts about

God's Amazing Blessing

Announcement—I'm moving!

here's the link to the first Part: 

http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2015/05/announcement-part-1-im-moving.html

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! 

______________________________________________

This post is the continuation of my Study of Colossians.

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).