striving in prayer
Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers…
Colossians 4:12

Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional For Monday 7th June 2021

The phrase translated “laboring fervently” in
the scripture above is “agōnizomai” (Greek),
and it doesn’t translate into mere labouring it means
to strive. In fact, the first synonym is “to fight” it also
means to struggle or contend with an adversary. The
same word is what we have in 1 Timothy 6:12 which
says, “Fight the good fight….”
Now, Paul, by the Spirit, tells the Christians in the
church in Colossae that Epaphras was always “fighting”
for them in prayers. He was contending with satanic
forces in their behalf. That’s part of what you do in
interceding for others. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 says, “But
if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In
whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of
them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious
gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should
shine unto them.” Here, we see why we must strive
in prayer for the souls of men.
Perhaps you have family members and loved
ones, friends, colleagues and neighbours you’ve been
witnessing to and they’ve refused to heed the call of
salvation God’s Word shows what the real problem is: Satan—the “god of this world”—has blinded their
minds! For such people, you must contend for their
souls in prayer you “agonize” in intercession for them.
You declare, “In the Name of the Lord Jesus, you evil
spirit of darkness that has blinded their minds, I break
your influence over them!”
But you see, you don’t stop there you continue in
intercession it’s called prevailing in prayer. You travail
in prayer over their minds, that their hearts be opened
to the Lord, and be guided to the Word of God, in the
Name of Jesus. You pray that the light of the glorious
Gospel shines in their hearts, and they embrace the
grace of God for their salvation the presence of God
mantles their hearts and God’s Word prevails in their
lives. Hallelujah!
Pray like this for your friends or family members
who aren’t yet born again, and you’ll be amazed at
the result. Praise God!

Confession

Blessed Lord, I pray that the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ would shine in the hearts of many today who are yet to receive salvation, turning them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, in the Name of the Lord Jesus. Amen.

Further Studies

Colossians 4 12
12 - Epaphras greets you, he being of you, a servant of Christ, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
1 Timothy 2 1-4
1 - First of all, then, I exhort that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,
2 - for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
3 - For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4 - who will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Galatians 4 19
19 - My children, for whom I again travail until Christ should be formed in you,

1 Year Bible Reading Plan

John 20 19-31,1 Chronicles 23 1,1 Chronicles 25 1

2 Year Bible Reading Plan

Mark 15 25-32,Deuteronomy 5 1

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