Colossians 4:12 "Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God."
Labor Fervently: "To enter a contest: contend in the gymnastic games. To contend with adversaries, fight. Metaph. to contend, struggle, with difficulties and dangers. To endeavour with strenuous zeal, strive: to obtain something."
This brother in Christ took prayer very seriously. He was, at all times, praying like he was in a contest, contending against enemies, struggling, zealously striving to gain his goal. Have you ever even seen someone pray like that, let alone prayer like that yourself?
In order to get to that kind of prayer, it takes a couple things. First, it takes a completely unselfish love for other people. Epaphras wanted the Colossians to experience and stand in God's will so bad. It was an overwhelming desire for his fellow Christians, he cared so much about them. Second, it takes faith. You don't face difficulties and dangers, you don't enter a contest and contend with adversaries if you don't believe 100%. If you're not fully convinced of what you're dealing with, there is no reason to put yourself out there like that. Third, it takes dedication.
I don't know about you, but I want a prayer life like that. I want my prayers to God to matter, to impact the world! What would have to change for this verse to start describing your prayer life?
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