Going To The Mat For You

Going to the Mat for You

Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus . . . 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

What a fantastic picture. Someone who is devoted to Christ, “wrestling in prayer” for us so that we “may stand firm in all the will of God.”

When I was a freshman at the University of Minnesota, I lived in the same dorm as two of our NCAA wrestling champions, Larry Zilverberg and Pat Neu. They were two of the toughest guys I have ever known. Wrestling is such an involved, intense sport. The matches are composed of three two-minute periods of one wrestler pitted against the other. It’s a sport that can’t be done halfway—you’re either all in, or you’re defeated.

Now think of that in terms of prayer. What a wonderful gift to have someone “all in” like a wrestler has to be, praying fervently on your behalf that you may stand firm in the will of God, mature and fully assured! Do you have any friends like that? Is there anyone you pray for like that? Maybe a family member or a good friend? You’ve probably heard those stories of mothers or grandmothers who have prayed and prayed and prayed for their children and grandchildren until they turned to Christ, basically praying them into heaven.

That you may stand firm in all the will of God. There is an ebb and flow to life, times when things are going more smoothly, and other times when you’re battling and struggling. Did you notice the word may is used rather than will? Standing firm remains a choice—regardless of the number and intensity of the praying saints out there. It is undergirded in prayer, but it remains a choice.

Where do you stand in living out the will of God?

Uncommon Key > Thank the people you know who are continually wrestling in prayer for you. And consider doing the same for them and others.