Prayer Is Our Occupation

“Devote yourselves to prayer” (Colossians 4:2). Prayer is our occupation. We are privileged to be engaged in the only thing that will change everything. Prayer is not a halfhearted, wishful endeavor. Prayer must be whole-hearted, intense, fervent and devoted.

Epaphras (Colossians 4:12) was a mighty warrior. He wrestled in prayer for the Colossians. The word “wrestle” means “to agonize or to wrestle as in a wrestling match.” Wrestling was the most intense athletic match in the Olympic games.

Epaphras’s prayer was that the Colossians might “stand firm in all the will of God.” satan is continually opposing the Will of God in our lives, and only through wrestling, agonizing prayer can the Will of God be done. Paul said that such prayer showed the Epaphras was “working hard” for the Colossians (Colossians 4:13).

God told Jeremiah, “Do not pray for this people nor offer any plea or petition for them” (Jeremiah 11:14 – NIV). What a sad thing it was, that God would no longer hear prayer on their behalf! Let us wrestle, watch and agonize in prayer daily: for our families and friends are depending upon us. Pray that doors would be opened for God’s message.