Being faithful in Prayer!

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Colossians 1:7: Just as you learned from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf... (ESV)

Epaphras is a pastor mentioned in scripture. In Colossians 4:12 Paul wrote, "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."

This man would not give up when he was praying for a person! He would wrestle that thing until he got the victory in prayer on your behalf!

In these two passages from Colossians, twice Epaphras is referred to as being a faithful minister of God. The word "faithful,l" whether translated in the Hebrew or Greek, is referring to consistency. Epaphras was consistent day after day. He was a plodder.

A plodder will not dwell on how far he has to go; instead, he looks at how far he has come. A plodder is faithful to take one step at a time without getting frustrated. Often in the Christian life we can become frustrated about how far we have to go.

In counseling married couples, at times they will get discouraged about how far they have to go in their marriage. Instead, they should rejoice each day over another step taken toward a healthy marriage.

The way God's will is accomplished is one step at a time. We often want to skip steps to get somewhere more quickly. The Word of God works consistently in our lives. Often, blessings that come quickly can be lost quickly.

The Bible warns about quick riches. Riches gained quickly can flow right through our hands. God sends riches that are durable. Often, they don't come overnight. They come here a little, there a little, first the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear. Or as Romans 12:2 says, "...the good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

God wants you to prosper and be in health as your soul prospers. Prosperity of the soul comes day-by-day. Perhaps you have not reached some of your short-term goals. You may blame yourself or get frustrated and blame God. Instead of getting upset about how far you have to go, why don't you rejoice in how far you have come!

When you pray, sometimes it seems like you are ploding along, we want instant success! But some times prayer takes an investment of time, YOUR time before you see an answer.

In the case of the plodder, it was the tortoise not the hare that won the race. I like to encourage you to look back five or ten years from now and see who is still in the race.

If you are tempted to become discouraged about where you are, instead, thank God for every day you have taken a step closer to fulfilling His call. Focus on the progress you have made and remember: it is not those who start the race that is important; it is those who finish the race that count.

God is looking for those who will finish the race.
Today is not a day to be frustrated.
Today is a day to rejoice in the Lord and call to remembrance the things God has done for you and how far you have come.

He has brought you this far. He will not forget you or abandon you.
He Who has begun a good work will also complete it!