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 (NIV)
Father God I thank You this morning for all those You have raised up around me who love me enough to pray for me regularly. My soul finds great joy in knowing that there are individuals who take it upon themselves to bring my name and my plight to Your throne, who see me and want Your light to shine on me.
I must confess I am not worthy of that magnitude and degree of love that I receive from them. And yet, You have, in Your wisdom, compelled them to lift me up. They embody what is meant when we call individuals “prayer warriors.” They see this not only as an act of love, but also the ministry to which they have been called. And because of their prayers, I am better, the church is better, and Your will is being done. Thank You for sprinkling the kingdom with folks such as them!
I pray today that You would continue to work in them and through them, that they might experience the peace and joy that comes from knowing they are accomplishing Your will for their lives. I pray that You would cause them to taste of the fruit of their labors, reaping tenfold the joy they are spreading through the sacrifices they make on their knees. Provide for them in the midst of their personal sacrifice, and encourage them to stay the course, knowing that their labor in Christ is not in vain.
And Father, my final ask regarding this is that You would make me like them. Help me to follow after their example, praying without ceasing for those around me who are a part of my life. Continue to pierce my conscious regarding my quiet time with You reminding me that it never has been about me. And when I am in my chamber, continue to bring to mind the individuals I need to keep before You – pastors, teachers, singers, servants, deacons, “Joe Pew” members, co-workers, officials, law enforcement – the whole shabang. Show me what to pray for them, and remind me of that central truth: the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:16). In Jesus’ Name I pray and for the sake of the Kingdom. Amen.