Striving In Prayer ~ June 7th 2021 (RHAPSODY OF REALITIES - Ep. 268)

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES MONDAY 07 JUNE 2021 PASTOR CHRIS TOPIC: STRIVING IN PRAYER ______________________________________________ KEY VERSE: Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers…(Colossians 4:12). ______________________________________________ The phrase translated “laboring fervently” in the scripture above is “agōnizomai” (Greek), and it doesn’t translate into mere labouring; it means to strive. In fact, the first synonym is “to fight”; it also means to struggle or contend with an adversary. The same word is what we have in 1 Timothy 6:12 which says, “Fight the good fight….” Now, Paul, by the Spirit, tells the Christians in the church in Colossae that Epaphras was always “fighting” for them in prayers. He was contending with satanic forces in their behalf. That’s part of what you do in interceding for others. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 says, “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” Here, we see why we must strive in prayer for the souls of men. Perhaps you have family members and loved ones, friends, colleagues and neighbours you’ve been witnessing to and they’ve refused to heed the call of salvation; God’s Word shows what the real problem is: Satan—the “god of this world”—has blinded their minds! For such people, you must contend for their souls in prayer; you “agonize” in intercession for them. You declare, “In the Name of the Lord Jesus, you evil spirit of darkness that has blinded their minds, I break your influence over them!” But you see, you don’t stop there; you continue in intercession; it’s called prevailing in prayer. You travail in prayer over their minds, that their hearts be opened to the Lord, and be guided to the Word of God, in the Name of Jesus. You pray that the light of the glorious Gospel shines in their hearts, and they embrace