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Today's Devotional - May 31
Prayer, Not Despair
Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
Colossians 4:12
Recommended Reading
Colossians 4:12-18
Epaphras is our model when it comes to praying for our children, grandchildren, or other loved ones who need a strengthening touch from the Lord. One translation renders this verse: "He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured" (NIV). Notice how he prayed -- laboring fervently and wrestling. Notice what he prayed -- that his friends would stand firm and complete, fully assured in the will of God.
Why not adopt an Epaphras attitude toward someone on your heart. Perhaps your child or brother or friend has a problem you can't solve. No words or actions of yours can make things better. No, but you can pray. You can wrestle in prayer. You can plead fervently, knowing the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous person avails much (James 5:16). Remember what Samuel told Israel: Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you (1 Samuel 12:23).
Try prayer, not despair.
Like a perspiring wrestler straining every muscle, summoning every last ounce of strength…. Epaphras prayed to the point of exhaustion.
J. Oswald Sanders
Read-thru-the-Bible
Job 17-20
