Are you struggling?

-
I love when I am reading the Bible and something stands out to me that I didn't notice before or a familiar passage read in another translation gives a fuller interpretation.  That's what happened to me today.


If you had asked me my title question "Are you struggling?" last week.  I would have given you a sad "yes" for an answer.  Due to many things, including overtiredness, I was struggling with grief and anger last week.  Thanks be to God, this has lifted so I am no longer experiencing this.  But after what I read in the Bible today, if you asked me, "Are you struggling?", I want to answer an enthusiastic "yes!".  Why?


The answer: Colossians 4:12
"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."


I want to be like Epaphras.... struggling in prayer so that those I am praying for will be mature and assured in God's will.  But what does it mean to struggle in prayer?  Other translations use the verbs "wrestling" (NIV), "laboring earnestly" (NASB), and "laboring fervently" (NKJV).  The Message says Epaphras has "been tireless in his prayers". 


I don't pray like that very often.  It takes time and energy.  It takes focus and faith.  But I want to.  That's part of the reason I am writing this blog.  To tell someone my desire.  To ask you to pray for me.  To invite you to join me in struggling in prayer.  How?


Well, if we look at what Epaphras did, a few things stand out.  First, he is a Colossian.  He is praying for his people (family, friends, the people he fellowships with).  So let's pick someone we know.  Second, he is a servant of Christ Jesus.  We pray for people as servants of Christ first - not primarily as serving the person we pray for and definitely not as a way to serve ourselves or get our wills done.  Third, he does it.  He takes the time.  He exerts the energy.  He exercise his faith.  This is all for their benefit and the glory of God.


As you read through this blog, maybe someone came to mind to pray for.  I encourage you to do it right now.  Bring that person to God's throne and ask for what they need.  And don't give up.  Keep struggling!

Comments

  1. annaMay 7, 2015 at 6:59 PM

    I am struck by what you say here about our prayer being firstly about obedience to Christ - that in praying we serve Him (ahead of serving the person for whom we pray) and it is part of our obedience to Him.

    Your post made me read some more of Colossians and I noticed that Epaphras was also one who had brought the Colossians the gospel (1:7).

    I also noticed other references to "labouring" and "struggling." Paul uses the term about himself:
    "To this end I labour, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me." (1:29)
    "I want you to know how much I an struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally." (2:1)

    So presumably Epaphras was also seeing this dimension of "struggle" being modelled by a mentor and friend.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Third Week of Advent: Winter Joy

-
“How am I ever going to do that?” I asked myself in the fall when we started our 6 am Winnipeg Free Press paper route. I was thinking about the future – the dark, cold, windy winter mornings ahead – and wondering how I would be able to handle the paper route then. Since I am a person who loves warmth, sleep, and daylight, I just couldn't imagine it. So this last Saturday morning when the thermometer read -30ยบ C and I was joyfully trudging along on the route, I remembered that question and asked myself another one, “How am I doing this?” Three things came to mind: By God's grace : When I go to bed at night I usual think I won't be eager to get up in the morning but when I'm awaken by my alarm, I get out of bed quite easily for me. It never ceases to surprise me since I was not a morning person. How do I explain this? It is a gracious gift of God. Nothing I deserve. It is a specific, practical way that God is blessing me in this season of my life. By God'...
Read more

Christmas Eve Sermon

-
Merry Christmas Everyone! As I was preparing for my Christmas Eve Children's Sermon for this year, I found the one from last year.  I really enjoyed thinking about the importance of shepherds in God's revelation of Himself to us so I thought I would post the sermon.  Remember: it is a children's sermon!   Here we are: it is Christmas Eve... the time we celebrate the greatest gift from God – Jesus our Saviour!  Now on such a special evening we could talk about so many interesting and wonderful things: We could talk about Mary: and how this young woman became the mother of God’s Son We could talk about Joseph: who took a very pregnant Mary to Bethlehem to be counted with his family We could talk about the angel: who appeared in the night sky proclaiming “good news of great joy for all people.” But... they are not going to be our focus today – as important as they are all. This Christmas Eve, I want to talk about some very ordinary people. Men who were just livin...
Read more

The Time In-Between

-
We are living in the time in-between.  When I think of that with regards to Christian theology, it is the time in between the first coming of Christ (the Incarnation) and the second coming of Christ (the Parousia).  Today, however, I am thinking of the time in-between when covid-19 drove us into our homes and when we will be free to socialize and work normally again.  The time in-between in both cases is a time of uncertainty.  Of waiting.  Of trusting.  Of hoping.  Of praying. These are very unique and challenging times.  I think that is what motivated me to blog today.  Thinking of all of you living your lives under the stress and strain of the corona virus pandemic and wanting to reach out to let you know you are not alone.  Truly not alone - God is with you. Zephaniah 3:17 comes to mind: "The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he w...
Read more