Colossians 4:12-13

Col. 4:12-13 Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. [13] For I testify for him that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis.

Yesterday, one of my spiritual fathers emailed and shared that he had been praying verse 12 for me at 5:00 am in the morning. Talk about encouraging! I praise God that I have someone who is so concerned about my spiritual growth that he is praying Scripture over my life. I am confident that God will answer.

My spiritual father is like Epaphras. Note what the Life Application Commentary says about Epaphras. "He was a hero of the Colossian church, one of the believers who had helped keep the church together despite growing troubles. His earnest prayers for the believers show his deep love and concern for them. The word for wrestling is the same word used in 1:29 and 2:1. It describes physical striving and conflict, as with an athlete in an arena. Just as Paul was struggling for the church in ministry, so Epaphras was struggling in intercessory prayer. Such descriptions indicate that prayer was not a one-time event, but a long-term labor requiring complete energy."

Epaphras prayed two things for the Colossians. First he prayed for their spiritual maturity. That’s what he means by standing perfect. Second he prayed that they would be confident or fully assured about God's will.

Maturity is becoming complete in Christ. It is becoming all that God has planned for you to be. It is reaching your full potential in Christ.

Being fully assured about God's will is to know His truth and plans. This includes more than just knowledge. It involves discernment. You see, there were those in Colossae trying to deceive the believers (See Col.2:4 ff.). Epaphras was in essence praying that the Colossians would be so sure of God's will that it would be impossible to deceive them.

Maybe you don't enjoy the blessing of having a spiritual father who faithfully prays this way for you. I want you (LVCC) to know that I consider it a privilege to interceed for you. Have a great day!