Yesterday a small group of women gathered for our regular
time of prayer. We are praying “in one accord” as each shares a burden then all
pray for that burden. As we focus on one thing at a time, we sense the powerful
presence of God with us and are blessed.
For me, this is a costly effort, not because of God in our
midst nor the answers to prayer we are seeing, but because our spiritual enemy
does not like what we are doing. As the blessing increases, for me oppression
also enters the scenario. It usually begins Wednesday and was so heavy this
week that I wanted to stay home.
Unceasing prayer is the will of God (1 Thessalonians
5:17). While prayer is not telling God what to do (as if we are His boss!)
there is something wonderfully mysterious about it. We are in the presence of
the Creator of the universe, the One in charge of all things, and He listens.
He puts thoughts in our minds. We express them and He honors the desires of our
hearts.
Some say this is something like learning to play in an
orchestra. We begin by making odd noises, but as we pray, we learn to harmonize
with the majestic melody of God’s will. Yet there is a mysterious and
unexplainable blending of our minds with His. The only way to learn how is to
do it.
I’ve often been struck by the description in Colossians of
a man named Epaphras. He was a man of prayer, eager to share with others how
God was at work, but himself involved in that work as he poured out his desires
for God’s people. He was likely the church planter in that place . . .
We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf and has made known to us your love in the Spirit. (Colossians 1:3–8, emphasis mine)
Not only did this
man share the gospel in Colossians, he shared with Paul the answers to prayer
for the people who heard and responded to his message. This good news had the
same result in Paul’s life for he too was praying unceasingly for the
Christians in Colossians . . .
And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. (Colossians 1:9–12)
When Paul wrote to
this church, he told them how Epaphras prayed for them. His fervent desire to
share Christ and serve Him eventually landed him in prison with Paul (Philemon
26) but his praying did not stop.
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)
This man “struggled” on their behalf so they would have a
deeper relationship with Christ. He worked hard, not only for the Colossians
but others. Prayer is a labor, not a ‘nice little thing’ Christians do before
meals and when we go to bed at night. It is more than reciting written prayers,
more than asking God to ‘fix’ things. It is war against an enemy that does not
want this mysterious activity happening because he knows that it is a key part
of how God builds His kingdom, defeats his lies and bringing light to this dark
world.
^^^^^^^^^^^^
Jesus, because You hear and answer prayer, You lifted that
oppression as the day ended. It will likely return. Will it stop me from
praying? Will other things distract me from this main assignment? I hope not.
You have already defeated Satan. It often seems like he does not know he is a
goner (like a headless chicken, he keeps moving) and tries to defeat Your
people who have already been declared victorious. Keep my heart focused and
keep teaching me how to pray without ceasing.
Today’s thankful list . . .
An amazing day of energy to do some purging.
My handy hubby who repairs things broken.
I can see the top of my desk!
Plan for the next few weeks to finish some long-overdue tasks.
A loving family.
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