Verse of the Day 1/11
\12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.
Most likely, we've all experienced times when people have told us that they are praying for us. It is also likely that we have said the same to others and done so. We belong to Bible study groups, commitees and board, and other groups of friends that will lift each other up in prayer. We are all thankful for them. In today's verse we read of one of them, he was one of the group that Paul was writing to and he was singled out because he became known to Pau as one "always struggling" on their behalf in prayer.
It is easy to read this and zoom right past it. But what does the verse indicate. We see the frequency of his prayers, always. The fervency of his prayers, struggling, searching for the right words and wrestling with God in prayer. We see his focus, it is for others, that they would stand, that they would endure, mature and fully assured in Christ.
Robert Carver writes, "What characterizes a prayer wrestler? Such a person (1) knows that he is in a serious war; (2) knows that this war is constant, (3) knows that the most important things to pray for are spiritual needs, (4) knows that the task will never be easy, (5) knows that he himself is in great need of prayer, (6) knows that he has divine help in his praying, and (7) knows that God can do much more than he could ever ask or imagine."
We all need to have this type of prayer wrestler in our corner. Let us thank the Lord for prayer wrestlers who are praying for us. The bigger challenge is whether we are willing to be such a prayer wrestler.
24 The Lord bless you and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;26 the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
Blessings,
Mike
Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace. NIV
Final Greetings
7 Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, 9 and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.
10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. 14 Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16 And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. 17 And say to Archippus, "See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord."
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