Every once in a while God refreshes my desire to be fervent in prayer. He does this through His word. My heart tends to easily forget the importance, the power, and the calling of every believer in Jesus to be prayerful always, and in all things.
Here was my refreshing reminder.
In Romans chapter 15, the apostle Paul begs the brothers and sisters in Rome that through the love of the Spirit, that they strive together with Paul in prayers to God so that Paul would be delivered from those who were against the message of Jesus Christ.
Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me, that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints. Romans 15:30-31 NKJV
I became curious about the word “strive” – which is only used once in the Greek New Testament. It means to struggle in company with, or figuratively to be a partner. That is exactly what Paul is asking for. He’s asking for them to partner with him by striving in prayer. Interesting choice of words. To strive, or struggle in prayer?
Paul speaks similarly of this kind of prayer in Colossians chapter 4 when he mentions Epaphras, a bondservant of Jesus Christ who is described as always laboring fervently for others in prayer. This time prayer is spoken of as a laboring.
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. Colossians 4:12 NKJV
Not only is prayer a striving or a struggle, but now it’s described as a labor. We have the example of Epaphras who labored fervently.
To put a beautiful bow on this, I was led to an another passage in Colossians where once again Paul uses similar words. He’s speaking this time of laboring for the gospel of Jesus Christ. But notice HOW he strives, and according to WHAT and WHO.
To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily. Colossians 1:29 NJKV
I’ve concluded today that the laboring and striving is my calling, but it is not of me. The source is found in Jesus. The striving is by His Spirit. The laboring is only achieved through His working, and that working is mighty in me when I press into Him both in prayer and in His word.
To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily. Colossians 1:29 NJKV
I forget these lessons when I’m not engaging in the battle of prayer because it is then that I lose sight of it’s incredible power. I will remember today that I am called to strive, to struggle, to labor fervently, and I will simply ask God (once again) to help me be obedient in these things, according to His work in me.
