Time to Wrestle, Colossians 4:12

Time to Wrestle

Colossians 4:12 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 the will of God, mature and fully assured.

"Ready, Wrestle!" These were words of the ref when I was set to start a match years back when I was a fledgling wrestler. It was hard work being a wrestler. The grueling practices that made the football players who were "in shape" from their just completed season, cry... well almost. Then all the moves you had to learn, then perfect, to seamlessly combine to whip the most valiant competitor. It can be some of the most arduous 6 minutes in sports. How did I ever make it... well, let's just say wrestling taught me an appreciation for lighting.

As Christian, we are to be wrestlers, prayer wrestlers that is. It will take a lot of preparation, practice, and dedication to be an effective prayer warrior. We must be willing to work hard and sweat. To make weight takes discipline. Like a wrestler who gives up the sweet things of life to loose the load that slows them down and tires them out during the contest, those who pray must be willing to leave the attractive things of the world to be successful at prayer. We must stay focused and have to desire to succeed for our prayers to be victorious.

A and K, be resolved in your faith so that your prayers are productive. James says that powerful and effective prayers come from those that do right (James 5:16). If you see no results from your prayers, evaluate your spiritual life. Also, be serious about prayer. It is hard work when you desire to plead with God for a need, for you or someone else. And finally, the love you have for someone can be measured by the time you take to lift them up in prayer. And these will not be wimpy now I lay me down to sleep prayers. These prayers stretch from earth to God's heavenly throne and touch his heart. You can be an Epaphras for someone today. Are you willing to be dedicated to the task? As a servant of Christ Jesus, wrestle in prayer for the ones you love today and touch God. He will touch you back and honor your prayer.

~Dad