‘Be like Epaphras’ – Colossians 4:12

Anyone who really knows me knows that prayer for others – intercession – is part of who I am. It’s part of standing in the gap for other people, inviting the Lord’s touch into their lives. And the Holy Spirit has led me on many adventures in intercession, and also in recognising answers to prayer.

To heed this call to pray for others, to follow the Spirit’s leading in taking God at his word, is to discover a reach beyond ourselves, asking the Lord’s working into the earth-realm. It’s a journey of growth, available to anyone!

In February 2023, I joined Emeritus Pastor Fred Veerhuis in teaching, via Zoom, Lutheran pastors and leaders in Vietnam. In one of my sessions on prayer, I focused on Epaphras, Paul’s co-worker. I encouraged them to take notice of who among their people is like an Epaphras, to encourage them.

People who pray for others help prepare the ‘soil’ in people to be receptive to the ‘seed’ of God’s word, the good news of Jesus. We will only find out in heaven the difference it has made. I look forward to that, as well as being available here now!