Colossians 4:12-18: a reflection

12Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 13For I testify about him that he has great zeal for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis. 14Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you. 15Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, with Nymphas and the assembly that is in his house. 16When this letter has been read among you, cause it to be read also in the assembly of the Laodiceans, and that you also read the letter from Laodicea. 17Tell Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it.” 18I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.

Among those Paul mentions as he closes his letter is Epaphras, and he singles out something about him: he is always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. Epaphras did not pray for the Colossians casually or lightly; he strove in his prayers for them, laboring, wrestling, praying earnestly that they might grow to maturity and stand complete in God's will. His prayer for them was a labor, an earnest striving on their behalf, that they might grow.

Notice how Epaphras prayed for others: striving, laboring in his prayers for them. His intercession was not a casual mention, a quick word; it was a striving, a wrestling in prayer, earnest and laboring, for the spiritual growth and maturity of those he prayed for. He labored in prayer that they might stand mature and complete in God's will. His prayer for others was earnest work, a striving on their behalf, not a light or careless matter. He wrestled in prayer for their growth.

That laboring intercession is worth taking to heart, for our own prayers for others can be casual and light rather than earnest and striving. We can pray for others lightly, with a quick mention, a passing word, rather than laboring earnestly in prayer for their growth and good; but Epaphras strove in his prayers for the Colossians, laboring that they might stand mature. Do not pray for others only lightly and casually; strive in prayer for them, as Epaphras did, laboring earnestly for their growth and maturity in God. Let your prayers for others be earnest and laboring, a striving on their behalf, rather than casual and light, as Epaphras always strove in his prayers that the Colossians might stand complete in God's will; pray for others with the earnest, laboring intercession Epaphras showed, wrestling in prayer for their growth and good.

Lord, among those Paul mentions as he closes his letter is Epaphras, and he singles out something about him: he is always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. Epaphras did not pray for the Colossians casually or lightly; he strove in his prayers for them, laboring, wrestling, praying earnestly that they might grow to maturity and stand complete in your will. His prayer for them was a labor. Show me how Epaphras prayed for others: striving, laboring in his prayers for them. His intercession was not a casual mention; it was a striving, a wrestling in prayer, earnest and laboring, for the spiritual growth of those he prayed for. He labored in prayer that they might stand mature and complete in your will. His prayer for others was earnest work, not a light matter. Take that laboring intercession to my heart, for my own prayers for others can be casual and light rather than earnest and striving. I can pray for others lightly, with a quick mention, rather than laboring earnestly for their growth and good; but Epaphras strove in his prayers. Keep me from praying for others only lightly and casually; help me strive in prayer for them, as Epaphras did, laboring earnestly for their growth and maturity in you. Let my prayers for others be earnest and laboring, Lord, a striving on their behalf, rather than casual and light, as Epaphras always strove in his prayers for the Colossians.