Colossians 4:12
“Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Jesus Christ, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.”

SEVERAL THINGS COME TO MY MIND AS I READ THIS SCRIPTURE THIS MORNING.

1. DO I ACTUALLY “STRUGGLE” IN PRAYER ON BEHALF OF MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST OR DO I ZIP THROUGH PRAYERS QUICKLY IF AT ALL FOR THEM?
OH LORD! GIVE ME SUCH A HEART OF COMPASSION FOR MY FAMILY IN CHRIST THAT I WILL SPEND TIME STRUGGLING FOR THEM IN PRAYER! HELP ME TO TAKE THE TIME TO ACTUALLY BE BEFORE YOU OFTEN AND INTENSELY FOR THEM. SHOW ME WHAT IT MEANS TO STRUGGLE IN PRAYER FOR THEM.

2. WHAT A GREAT WAY TO PRAY FOR THOSE IN OUR LIVES! THAT THEY WOULD BE “MATURE AND FULLY ASSURED IN THE WILL OF GOD.” SIMPLE AND TO THE POINT. I WOULD LOVE FOR MY FAMILY IN CHRIST TO PRAY FOR ME IN THIS WAY!!!

LORD, HELP ME TO PERSEVERE IN PRAYER. DRAW ME TO YOURSELF IN CONSTANT AND CONSISTANT PRAYER BEFORE YOUR THRONE. HELP ME LORD TO BE WITH YOU IN PRAYER MORE OFTEN THAN I AM. HELP ME TO PRAY FOR OTHERS WITH VIGOR. THANK YOU THAT I CAN TRUST YOU TO HELP ME PRAY IN A WAY THAT DRAWS ME CLOSER AND CLOSER TO YOU. I LOVE YOU LORD. AMEN.

AS I WRITE THIS I AM LISTENING TO THIS SONG:

WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS by Joseph M. Scriven, 1820-1886


What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer.

2. Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer.

3. Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he'll take and shield thee;
thou wilt find a solace there.