Prayer Is Hard Work Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. Fiercely” is the right English word to convey Paul’s meaning here. He says Epaphras labors fervently in prayer, and the word “laboring” is sometimes translated as “wrestling.” The image is that of Greek athletes who competed fiercely to win a perishable crown of an olive leaf garland. And in our modern day how many athletes devote years of their lives to preparing for the Olympic games? The sacrifices they endure and the prices they pay are almost inconceivable to the non-Olympically-inclined among us. They train and compete fiercely, pushing themselves beyond the limits of endurance. One of the greatest revelations I’ve had in recent years is that prayer is hard work. Prayer requires labor, striving, continuance, endurance, wrestling, and faithfulness. I’ve heard people say, “I would pray more, but it’s so hard.” At least they understood the nature of prayer. It is indeed hard work. Sometimes it helps to begin our prayers by confessing we don’t feel like praying—and ask God to help us with our preference to be doing something else. Be honest with God and ask Him to give you a willingness to do the work of prayer. Jeremiah, David: Sanctuary : Finding Moments of Refuge in the Presence of God. Nashville, TN : Integrity Publishers, 2002, S. 226
Posted on: Sat, 03 Aug 2013 17:31:11 +0000
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