We are exhorted to “pray for one another,” even when we do not always have immediate proof that God answers these prayers.
Epaphras, “a faithful minister of Christ,” offered fervent prayers on behalf of his Christian companions. From Rome, Paul wrote to the Colossians: “Epaphras, who is one of you, a slave of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings; he is always striving on your behalf in his prayers, that you may be fully mature and filled with a firm conviction regarding all the will of God. Yes, I bear witness to him that he has worked hard for you, as well as for those in Laodicea and those in Hierapolis.” — Col. 1:7; 4:12, 13.
Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis were three cities located in the same part of Asia Minor. The Christians of Hierapolis lived among the worshippers of the goddess Cybele; materialism threatened the Christians of Laodicea, and those of Colossae were exposed to the dangers of philosophy (Col. 2:8). It is therefore not surprising that Epaphras, himself from Colossae, “struggled in his prayers” on behalf of his companions living in that city. The Bible does not reveal how Epaphras’s prayers were answered, but he did not stop praying for them.
We, too, should not stop doing so. Without “meddling in other people’s affairs,” we may be aware that the faith of a member of our family or a friend is being severely tested (1 Peter 4:15). Do we have the excellent habit of praying individually on their behalf? Paul was strengthened by the prayers of his companions, and our prayers too can do a lot of good. — 2 Cor. 1:10, 11.
Good evening
Marylena