Lesson 24
background notes
doctrinal point
- Wrestling in prayer brings results.
practical application
Let’s be people pray-ers like Epaphras.
questions
- What was the outstanding service of Epaphras?
- Who was Luke?
- Who was Demas? Would he be a model to follow? Explain.
- For what did Epaphras pray specifically? What were the results?
- What does it mean to labor earnestly in prayer?
- Is it wrong to pray for programs, church buildings, finances, health, job situations, and the like?
answers
- He labored fervently in prayer for the Colossian believers.
- Paul’s beloved physician, a Gentile. He joined Paul on his second missionary journey (see Acts 16:10). He was a faithful and productive Christian, writing much of the New Testament (Luke and Acts). He had a change of career, from doctor to missionary.
- There was no commendation for him (perhaps a foreshadowing of his desertion). He would not be a model to follow because he was a deserter.
- He labored in prayer for the church at Colosse. The Colossian believers did not capitulate to the false teaching around them, and they continued to grow spiritually.
- It means hard work, wrestling in prayer to bring results. The Greek term “to labor fervently” is to agonize or struggle.
- No. But following the example of Paul and Epaphras, being people pray-ers rather than program pray-ers, would seem to bring more lasting results.
discuss / consider
- Have you ever labored earnestly in prayer? This is a wonderful habit to develop. How can you wrestle for a fellow believer’s spiritual growth?
- What does it mean to be a righteous person? See James 5:16. Should you expect your prayers to be effective?
challenge
Pray like Epaphras prayed. As you pray this week, keep track of your prayers. Then keep a record of when and how your prayers are answered.
memorize
- “Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.” Colossians 4:12
