I started a new Bible study group with my church called Rooted. I recognized a few guys from ministry in 56 street (wave) and Vertical Endeavor, out of 32 guys we had less than 50% attending. Paul, Ryan, Ben, Jacob, Hunter, Harlen, Juan, Chris, Wayne, Ethan, Jasen, Todd, Jacob and Nick were there with another late-comer who didn't have a name tag. I joined the group to have a Saturday fellowship time and focus on the Lord in community. We had a Bible saturated double lesson on Obedience from Love, Character that radiates resulting in glory to God and a time of WAR (Worship, Admit, Request). It's a fun group based on honesty and encouragement to live out what we believe, "not by our power but Christ in me, by his Spirit." I'm still learning and Discovering the Light of listening and being Salt (Luke 8-14)
Epaphras: The Prayer Warrior
Why it matters: Epaphras appears in only three verses, yet Paul immortalizes him for one thing—how he prayed. This church planter's legacy is warfare intercession.
The bottom line: Epaphras models what it looks like to pray like a soldier: strategic, intense, persistent, and focused on spiritual victory.
The Wrestling Prayer
Colossians 4:12: "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."
The Greek word agōnizomenos: Wrestling. Agonizing. Contending. The same root word describes:
- Jesus' agony in Gethsemane (Luke 22:44)
- Paul's striving in ministry (Colossians 1:29)
- Athletic competition requiring full exertion (1 Corinthians 9:25)
This isn't casual prayer. Epaphras treated intercession as hand-to-hand combat.
The pattern: He was in Rome with Paul (Philemon 1:23), separated from his churches by hundreds of miles. He couldn't preach to them. Couldn't visit. Couldn't fix their problems personally. So he fought for them on his knees.
Geographic distance didn't stop strategic engagement. Prayer became his primary weapon.
What He Prayed For: The Soldier's Objectives
Epaphras didn't pray for comfort, health, or circumstances. He prayed for spiritual victory.
Colossians 4:12 specifies three targets:
1. "Stand mature"
Greek teleioi: Complete, mature, fully developed. The opposite of spiritual infancy (Hebrews 5:13-14) or instability (Ephesians 4:14).
Why this matters: The Colossian church faced false teaching—asceticism, angel worship, legalism (Colossians 2:8-23). Immature believers get swept away by "every wind of doctrine" (Ephesians 4:14).
Epaphras prayed for maturity because mature soldiers don't abandon their posts.
2. "Fully assured"
Greek peplērophorēmenoi: Fully convinced, completely certain, lacking nothing in conviction.
The target: Settled confidence in God's will. Not wavering (James 1:6-8). Not double-minded. Anchored.
Why pray for assurance? Because uncertainty paralyzes. Soldiers who doubt their orders don't engage effectively. Colossians 2:2 emphasizes "full assurance of understanding."
Epaphras knew doctrinal confusion breeds spiritual defeat.
3. "In all the will of God"
Not selective obedience. Not partial commitment. All of God's will.
This echoes:
- Romans 12:2: "Discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect"
- Ephesians 5:17: "Understand what the will of the Lord is"
- 1 Thessalonians 5:18: "This is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you"
The comprehensive scope: Epaphras prayed for total alignment with God's purposes across every area of life.
Notice what's absent: No prayer for comfort, prosperity, ease, or popularity. Only spiritual readiness for battle.
How He Prayed: The Soldier's Discipline
Colossians 4:12 reveals Epaphras's prayer posture: "always struggling on your behalf."
"Always"
Greek pantote: At all times, constantly, continuously.
This matches the soldier's call:
- Ephesians 6:18: "Praying at all times"
- 1 Thessalonians 5:17: "Pray without ceasing"
- Romans 12:12: "Be constant in prayer"
Epaphras maintained continuous intercession. Not just during designated prayer times. Not only when he felt inspired. Always.
The FBI model in action:
- Frequent: Regular, repeated intercession
- Brief: Likely quick prayers throughout the day alongside extended sessions
- Intense: The "wrestling" language shows maximum exertion
"Struggling"
The intensity level: This is combat prayer, not comfortable petition.
Biblical precedent for wrestling prayer:
Jacob at Peniel (Genesis 32:24-30): Wrestled with God until daybreak. "I will not let you go unless you bless me." Physical and spiritual struggle merged.
Elijah after Carmel (1 Kings 18:42-45): "Bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees." Seven times sending his servant to look. Persistent, agonizing intercession until breakthrough.
Jesus in Gethsemane (Luke 22:44): "Being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood." Ultimate wrestling prayer.
Paul's request (Romans 15:30): "Strive together with me in your prayers to God." Striving (synagōnizō)—joint combat in intercession.
The pattern: Effective prayer often requires spiritual exertion, not passive wishing.
"On your behalf"
Greek hyper hymōn: For you, in your place, as your representative.
Epaphras stood in the gap (Ezekiel 22:30). He positioned himself between his churches and spiritual danger.
This is priestly intercession:
- Moses interceding for Israel (Exodus 32:11-14, 30-32)
- Samuel refusing to stop praying for Israel (1 Samuel 12:23)
- Job praying for his friends (Job 42:8-10)
- Christ's ongoing intercession (Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:34)
The soldier fights for others, not just himself.
The Scope of His Ministry
Colossians 4:13: "For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis."
Paul's testimony: "I bear witness" (martyrō)—solemn attestation to Epaphras's labor.
"Worked hard" (Greek echei polun ponon): Has much labor, toil, painful effort.
Three cities: Colossae, Laodicea, Hierapolis—the Lycus Valley churches. Epaphras planted and pastored all three regions (Colossians 1:7).
The strategic vision: Not just one congregation. Multiple churches. Regional gospel advance.
His prayer matched his mission: Wrestling for spiritual maturity across every community he'd evangelized.
Application: A soldier doesn't pray narrow, selfish prayers. He intercedes for the advance of the kingdom.
The Relationship: Fellow Prisoner in the Fight
Philemon 1:23: "Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you."
"Fellow prisoner" (Greek synaichmalōtos): Captured together, imprisoned alongside.
Two possibilities:
- Literal imprisonment: Epaphras may have been arrested with Paul in Rome
- Spiritual captivity: Both were "prisoners of Christ" (Ephesians 3:1; 4:1)—bound by gospel calling
Either way, the imagery is military:
- Prisoners of war don't choose comfort
- They remain under orders even in captivity
- Their allegiance doesn't shift based on circumstances
The pattern: Epaphras kept fighting through prayer even when circumstances restricted physical ministry.
2 Timothy 2:9: "I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound!"
The soldier's reality: External limitations don't stop spiritual warfare. Prayer transcends prison walls.
The Titles: Identity Shapes Ministry
Paul describes Epaphras with three military-grade identities:
1. "Faithful minister of Christ" (Colossians 1:7)
"Minister" (Greek diakonos): Servant, deacon, one who executes another's commands.
"Faithful" (Greek pistos): Trustworthy, reliable, loyal.
Military parallel: The dependable soldier who executes orders precisely. No freelancing. No abandoning the post.
1 Corinthians 4:2: "It is required of stewards that they be found faithful."
2. "Dear fellow servant" (Colossians 1:7)
"Fellow servant" (Greek syndoulos): Co-slave, joint bondslave.
The relationship: Paul and Epaphras served the same Master, fought the same fight, carried the same yoke.
Philippians 1:1: Paul identifies himself as "a servant [doulos—slave] of Christ Jesus."
The soldier's allegiance: Total ownership by the Commander. No divided loyalty.
3. "Bondslave of Jesus Christ" (Colossians 4:12)
"Bondslave" (Greek doulos): Owned slave with no rights, total submission to master.
Old Testament background: Exodus 21:5-6 describes the slave who loves his master and chooses permanent servitude. Ear pierced, permanently marked.
Epaphras's identity: Voluntarily enslaved to Christ. Gladly surrendered. Permanently marked.
Romans 1:1: "Paul, a servant [doulos] of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle."
The pattern: Those who pray like soldiers first identify as servants. No personal agenda. Just orders from the King.
The Report: What Prayer Produced
Colossians 1:3-8: Paul thanks God after hearing from Epaphras about the Colossian church's:
- Faith in Christ Jesus (v. 4)
- Love for all the saints (v. 4)
- Hope laid up in heaven (v. 5)
- Gospel fruit and growth (v. 6)
The connection: Epaphras's wrestling prayer produced measurable spiritual results. His intercession wasn't vague or general. It targeted specific outcomes and saw them manifest.
Prayer as strategic warfare works.
The testimony (v. 7-8): "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."
The cycle:
- Epaphras taught the gospel (evangelism)
- Epaphras prayed for maturity (intercession)
- The church grew in faith, hope, and love (fruit)
- Epaphras reported results to Paul (accountability)
- Paul wrote to strengthen them further (partnership)
The soldier's effectiveness: He fought on multiple fronts—preaching, praying, reporting, coordinating with other leaders.
Application: Praying Like Epaphras
1. Pray with wrestling intensity
Don't settle for casual, comfortable prayer.
Ask: Does my intercession cost me anything? Am I exerting spiritual energy or just reciting wishes?
The model: Elijah bent down, face between knees (1 Kings 18:42). Jesus sweat blood (Luke 22:44). Epaphras wrestled always (Colossians 4:12).
Practice: Set aside time for focused, uninterrupted, intense intercession. Not rushed. Not distracted. Engaged.
2. Pray strategic prayers
Target spiritual outcomes, not just circumstantial relief.
Epaphras prayed for:
- Maturity (depth of character)
- Assurance (doctrinal stability)
- Alignment with God's will (comprehensive obedience)
Not:
- Comfort
- Ease
- Popularity
- Prosperity
Your intercession: Are you praying for people to be comfortable or Christlike? For ease or endurance? For blessings or battle-readiness?
Adjust your targets.
3. Pray continuously
"Always struggling" (Colossians 4:12) means sustained engagement, not one-time efforts.
The FBI model:
- Frequent: Multiple daily check-ins for those you're interceding for
- Brief: Quick prayers throughout the day ("Lord, strengthen them")
- Intense: Extended wrestling sessions when needed
Daniel prayed three times daily under death threat (Daniel 6:10). Epaphras prayed continuously while imprisoned. Circumstances don't determine prayer commitment.
Your calendar: Schedule specific intercession times. Set reminders. Build the rhythm.
4. Pray for multiple fronts
Epaphras wrestled for Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis (Colossians 4:13). Three cities. Multiple congregations. Regional vision.
Think strategically:
- Family members (different spiritual battles)
- Church leaders (under unique attacks)
- Missionaries (facing frontline opposition)
- Cities/regions (spiritual strongholds)
Don't pray narrow prayers. Soldiers intercede for the advance of the kingdom, not just personal comfort.
5. Pray from proper identity
Epaphras was:
- Faithful minister (reliable servant)
- Fellow servant (joint bondslave)
- Bondslave of Christ (total ownership)
Your foundation: You can't pray with authority until you pray from submission. The soldier who won't obey orders can't execute the mission.
Check your allegiance: Is your prayer life reflecting total surrender to Christ's Lordship? Or are you negotiating terms?
Childlike dependence + mature confidence (Mark 10:15; Hebrews 4:16): "I'm completely dependent on You, and I belong here because of Christ."
The Legacy: Three Verses, Eternal Impact
Epaphras appears in three verses:
- Colossians 1:7-8
- Colossians 4:12-13
- Philemon 1:23
That's it. No sermons recorded. No miracles documented. No extensive missionary journeys detailed.
But his prayer life changed churches across a region.
The principle: Faithful, wrestling, strategic intercession leaves a legacy that outlasts platforms, programs, and popularity.
Matthew 6:6: "When you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."
Epaphras prayed in secret. Paul made his warfare public. The churches experienced the fruit. God received the glory.
The bottom line: You don't need a platform to fight like a soldier. You need a prayer closet, a commitment to wrestle, and a willingness to let God turn your intercession into spiritual victory.
Pray like Epaphras. Fight like a soldier. Watch God work.
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