Till Victory Appears

Till Victory Appears

He always prays earnestly for you, asking God to make you strong and perfect, fully confident that you are following the whole will of God. I can assure you that he prays hard for you. Colossians 4:12-13

THE COLOSSIANS SEEMED TO KNOW many people close to Paul, and he had important pieces of news to share with them. One was about a member of their own fellowship, Epaphras, who had visited Paul and perhaps prompted this letter. So what did Paul want to share about this friend? That he prayed for them. Hard.

In fact, Paul wrote that Epaphras prayed “earnestly”—employing a Greek word that’s used to describe deep struggles or intense wrestling matches, the same word from which we get the word agonize. Epaphras wasn’t in agony for the Colossians—that would take the connotation too far—but Paul does imply that the intensity of his prayers reflected the spiritual battle for Colossian souls. Epaphras wanted these believers to grow in maturity, to become strong in the faith, to know the will of God and pursue it fully. Nothing in Paul’s words or Epaphras’s desires suggests a casual kind of prayer lifted up on behalf of his friends. No, he wrestled. His prayers were somehow part of a critical battle in the Kingdom.

That’s sometimes how prayer works. Generally we fill our prayers with worship, joy, gratitude, and an expectant heart, but our requests and issues are rarely lighthearted. Our conversations with God can grow intense, not because he is opposed to us but because it is absolutely imperative that we reach a place of faith where we follow through to victory. We may not understand why things are difficult or overwhelming, but they are. Communication between the front lines and headquarters happens in the heat of battle, and sometimes the needs are urgent. We cannot afford to engage casually and unemotionally.

The Holy Spirit will prompt you in those times. When he does, fully engage. Wrestle in whatever way is necessary. Pray with urgency and insistent, immediate, unrelenting faith. Significant battles are won when ready warriors answer the call and press in until victory comes.

I have known persons to pray for hours, till their strength was all exhausted with the agony of their minds. Such prayers prevailed with God.