Faithful Labor in Prayer: Learning from Epaphras’s example
Inside: Like Epaphras, we may not be able to change a situation, but we can pray. God is working in ways we may never fully see.
When we think about serving others, prayer might not be the first thing that comes to mind. We usually picture meals delivered, a kind note in the mail, a helping hand, or time spent together. And those are beautiful ways to serve. But one of the most powerful ways we can love and serve others is by praying for them.
Faithfully Praying for Others:
I love how Paul describes Epaphras in Colossians 4:12-13
“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. For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.”
Colossians 4:12–13 (ESV)
That word struggling can also mean wrestling or laboring fervently. It gives us a clear picture of how seriously Epaphras took the ministry of prayer. This wasn’t a quick passing thought. He worked hard in prayer for the people he loved.
Epaphras wasn’t always with the ones he prayed for. He couldn’t be there in person. But that didn’t stop him from lifting them up before the Lord. He prayed for them to grow in maturity and to stand firm in God’s will. His prayers for his brothers and sisters in Christ were such a gift.
Trusting God to Do What We Can’t:
Elisabeth Elliot once said,
“When we pray, we are in touch with God, expectant, trusting: He is at work. He does what we cannot do. We are to be at work also, doing what we can do.”
Those words are such a helpful reminder that prayer isn’t doing nothing. It’s not passive or pointless. It’s in prayer that we acknowledge our limits and rest in His power. At the same time, we remain faithful in the work He has given us to do. And sometimes, the very work He gives us is to keep praying.
It’s in prayer that we acknowledge our limits and rest in His power.We may not always feel like we’re doing big things for the Lord. But prayer is big. Sometimes it’s the most faithful thing we can do.
If your hands are full today but your heart is burdened, remember Epaphras. You might not be able to change a situation, but you can take it to the One who can. The Lord sees, He hears, and He’s always at work for His glory and our good (Romans 8:28).
May we be women who stay faithful in prayer. Keep bringing your family, your church, and your friends before the Lord with a heart that trusts Him. Even when you don’t see results right away, know that He is working. He may be doing far more than you’ll ever see on this side of eternity.
“The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
James 5:16
Reflection Questions
- Who is the Lord bringing to mind today that you could be praying for?
- Are there areas where you’ve grown weary in prayer because you haven’t seen answers yet?
- What encourages you about Epaphras’s example in Colossians 4?
- How does trusting that God is always at work help you keep praying, even when things feel slow or hard?
Related Resources:
- Praying for Holiness: 20 Prayers to Fight the Sins We Often Ignore
- Encouragement for a Consistent Prayer Life
- 10 Great Books on Prayer
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