Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. Colossians 4:12
“Epaphras is described as a true bondman of Christ, devoted to him and his people, and especially solicitous for the welfare of his own beloved converts and friends in the Lycus valley. Now that he was far distant from them, they were never out of his mind: he was continuously engaged in intense intercession to God on their behalf, praying for their perfect establishment in all the will of God. Prayer is working, and by such fervent prayer Epaphras toiled effectively on behalf of the churches of Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis.”
F. F. Bruce in The Epistles to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians (NICNT; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1984) 181.
The term “bondman” is a legal term for servant which reflects the deepest level of commitment for Paul. He only pins that term on Timothy and Epaphras, his closest comrades.
I am thankful that I don’t need much sleep so I can get up early and wrestle in prayer, like Epaphras. I am thankful for the people that pray for me every day too. Priceless partners!
Know anyone like this? These are faithful workers who engage in “intense intercession” because they know that prayer is the most powerful tool in the world.
You can tell where people place their trust and in what power they depend by two things. How they handle money and how they spend their time.
Generosity is holding nothing back to show the God is our limitless source. And prayer is not only working, as Bruce notes. It is the most effective work we can engage.