What Makes Epaphras a Hero?
Many biblical names continue to be popular when naming babies, but Epaphras is not one of them! And yet, most parents would love to have had a child who grew up to be like this unsung hero of the early church.
The apostle Paul was fond of Epaphras, calling him a "beloved co-worker" and "faithful servant" (Col. 1:7). But what blew Paul away about this dear friend was his unrelenting commitment to pray for the needs of those he had the privilege of influencing. In particular, Paul noted, Epaphras "always prays earnestly for you, asking God to make you strong and perfect, fully confident that you are following the whole will of God" (Col. 4:12).
Wow – the passion and devotion are palpable! What might our relationships look like if we faithfully wrestled in prayer along similar lines for those we love?
Takeaway:
Epaphras indeed grew toward such faithfulness in prayer. Where do you think is the best place for you to start growing in this area? Who can you begin praying for today?