Epaphras Prays Podcast

Could we number the birds of the sky, or fish in the sea? What’s the number of types of trees? How many are the raindrops in spring?Our God is an infinite God and His creativity is unlimited. We could sooner count sand on the shore as the endless numbers of anything He has made. How many kinds of prayer are there, do you think? Is it two, or nine? 101? I like what Spurgeon says, As many as are the flowers of summer, so many are the varieties of prayer.Paul says we must pray with all…praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints… Ephesians 6:18 The dimensions and varieties of all prayer and supplication—with all kinds of prayer: public, private and secret, social and solitary, solemn and sudden; verbal and silent, long and short;with all parts of prayer: filled with praises, sprinkled with confession, petitions for mercy, and adorned with thanksgivings for all blessings and graces received;with all manner of praying: sung to music, and cried out with groans, shouted from a hilltop, and whispered beside a bed;with all types of prayer: deprecatory prayers when sins have provoked the Lord to jealousy; supplicatory prayers which ask blessings and implore mercies from God for ourselves; and intercessory prayers on behalf of others for God to intervene for them;with all posture of prayer: on our knees, and standing, sitting, walking, and kneeling. Nothing is said about these; position, place, and time are all left open and available to us, whenever in want or need;with all perseverance: we must determine to continue in prayer, whatever changes there are in our circumstances; and we must persevere in it while we live in the world, remaining steadfast; While prayer is personal, these articles are meant to be shared. You can help someone else learn about praying just by sending this. Which also helps me out.and in the Spirit—our spirits must be engaged in praying and we must do it by the grace of God's good Spirit, helping us in the praying, for the Spirit also helps our weakness: For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words. (Romans 8:26) It is the Holy Spirit in us who prays and enables us to pray. It is praying not according the flesh (the selfish desires of the carnal mind) but according the word, will and way of the Lord. for all the saints: those in our homes and our assemblies; the pastors, elders, those in the seats; the teacher, evangelist, and missionary; from babe in Christ to senior saint.There is no limit of God’s creation, nor limits on our praying to Him. Pray, with all.I pray because I have something to say to God, always striving for you in prayers that you may stand complete and fully assured in all the will of God. I write because I have something to say to you about praying to God. Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

Have you ever felt like your spiritual life not very fruitful? Like you’re trying hard to be patient, loving, or faithful, but struggling instead? I sure have, and I don’t think I’m alone! Today we’re shifting focus from trying to asking. Based on Galatians 5 and the story of the vine and the branches, I invite you to pray specifically for the Holy Spirit to cultivate His character and nature in you. Whether you’re struggling with one area or looking to deepen your growth in all nine aspects of the Fruit of the Spirit, this podcast is for you. Highlights* The Tree Parable: Exploring the powerful imagery from Jeremiah 17 and Psalm 1 of being a tree planted by streams of water that does not fear drought but continues to produce fruit.* The Vine and the Branches: A look at John 15 where Jesus explains that the Father prunes fruitful branches to make them even more fruitful.* One Fruit, Nine Characteristics: Clarifying that the “Fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5) is a singular, unified character of Christ, not a list of separate traits to pick and choose from.* The Power of Asking: A core teaching that while God produces the fruit, asking Him to do so actively cultivates our participation and can accelerate spiritual growth.* Prayer for Each Fruit: A short journey through specific scriptures and prayers for each of the nine characteristics:* Love: John 13 & 1 John 4* Joy: John 15 & Philippians 4* Peace: John 14 & Colossians 3* Patience: Ephesians 4 & Romans 2* Kindness: Ephesians 4 & Colossians 3* Goodness: Romans 15 & 2 Thessalonians 1* Faithfulness: 1 Corinthians 4* Gentleness: Matthew 11 & 2 Corinthians 10* Self-Control: 1 Corinthians 9 & Titus 2* Visible Reflection: A reminder that bearing fruit is not just for our private spiritual life but is the visible evidence to the world that we are disciples of Jesus.Know that spiritual maturity, like a real tree, takes time and deep roots. But the good news is that the Father delights in giving good gifts to those who ask. If you found yourself lacking in love, joy, or self-control today, just ask. Ask the Holy Spirit to bear that fruit in you, and watch as He works to make you a tree that prospers in all you do, for His glory. Bearing fruit isn’t just something we keep to ourselves, it reflect Christ’s character to the world around us.This group grows because people like you share it. Just like fruit, it’s not meant just for you, but for sharing with others in need of it.Image by Karl Egger from PixabayJoin the Prayer group free and help intercede for the People of God from the Word of God Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

One of the best ways to learn to pray is by reading and praying from the Scriptures directly. Another is to read or hear others pray, especially those great intercessors of the past, like the Prince of Preachers, Charles Spurgeon. His prayers were transcribed for us to read, but listen along as we pray from Pulpit PrayersPrayer 8 —We adore Thee because Thou art holy and we love Thee for Thine infinite perfection. For now, we sigh and cry after holiness ourselves. Sanctify us wholly, spirit, soul, and body. Lord, we mourn over the sins of our past life and our present shortcomings. We bless Thee Thou hast forgiven us. We are reconciled to Thee by the death of Thy Son. There are many who know that they have been washed and that He that beareth away sin has borne their sin away. These are they who now cry to Thee to be delivered from the power of sin, to be delivered from the power of temptation without, but especially from indwelling sin within.Listen and pray along with Spurgeon, this prayer for holiness…Know someone who needs encouragement like this to deepen their prayer life? Send them this. Sometimes it helps getting that encouragement from someone they trust. Thank you for listening and for praying. Please consider a free subscription and continue with us in the prayer closet. Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

Epaphras was a devoted early Christian minister and fellow servant of the Apostle Paul, known for his deep commitment to prayer and spiritual care for the church in Colossae.Today we learn about praying for others as he did, and be encouraged to do likewise. He is mentioned only three times in the New Testament — twice in Colossians and once in Philemon — and is described by Paul as a “faithful minister,” “servant of Christ Jesus,” and “fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus” Epaphras likely founded the church in Colossae after being converted, possibly during Paul’s ministry in Ephesus, and later traveled to Rome to update Paul on the Colossians’ spiritual condition. This included good news of the progress of the gospel, of their "faith in Christ Jesus" and of their love toward all the saints. He is especially noted for “always wrestling in prayer” for the Colossian believers, desiring their spiritual maturity and steadfastness in faith. In other versions, he is said to be always laboring, or —struggling, wrestling, striving in other translations.The original word used is agōnizomai, which means to struggle, literally (to compete for a prize), figuratively (to contend with an adversary). And it was always, or at all times, without ceasing, continuously he was praying like this. To always make such effort is commitment! This is dedication!O, that each congregation would have such a one as this!Perhaps that’s you? Or is it someone you know? If you would do me a favor and share this with them, it might be the encouragement they need also. You’d be helping them, and this newsletter, grow. So bless you!This is how he served them: Epaphras was praying for them, selflessly focused on others in his fellowship. His concern was for others. We are told he was “our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ” and he was acting “on your behalf.” (1:7). Paul also commended Epaphras for his hard work for the assembly in Colossae, but also the nearby churches in Laodicea and Hierapolis.Epaphras must have known that in order for these believers to live out their faith and spread the good news of Jesus, they needed God to help them grow in Christ and be fully convinced of His words.His deep concern, his strong desire, was for the brothers and sisters in Christ to live according to this faith, and so he wrestled against those things that would hinder that, and for spiritual growth and protection.Epaphras prayed from his deep desire for the spiritual maturity of the Colossian believers. His intercession was for two things: that they may stand perfect (1) and be fully assured in the full will of God (2).Perfect, or mature (teleios) means completeness and perfection in faith. His goal was for the Colossians to grow in maturity so they are able to finish their race, and completely and confidently stand as having lived faithfully in the will of God. Writes Matthew Henry: We must stand complete in all the will of God; in the will of his precepts by a universal obedience, and in the will of his providence by a cheerful submission to it: and we stand perfect and complete in both by constancy and perseverance unto the end.Being fully assured means having a deep confidence and unspeakable conviction in understanding God's will for us. Epaphras had to have been totally convinced the will of God was most needed and the best course for the church. Assurance comes from knowing His revealed Word, trusting it and living according to it.Though briefly mentioned in Scripture, Epaphras left a lasting legacy as a model of faithful intercession and selfless service, reminding believers of the power of being zealous, persistently praying and having a spiritual investment in others. This is why he is the namesake of this ministry. His humble, selfless service, focused on others reminds us that prayer is vital, it is work, and our consistency matters. Take this example today as encouragement, even inspiration, to pray for others—for spiritual growth, and to live fully, completely in the will of our great God.Subscribe to Epaphras Prays Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

On the matter of time spent praying, there are two questions: how often should we pray, and, how long should we pray? The first has to do with the frequency of praying, and the other with the amount of time spent praying.And the answer is: as often and as long as is needed.Says Spurgeon: I always feel that there is something wrong of I go without prayer for even half an hour in the dayWe can and should do likewise!Start small with a daily commitment, trust the habit will naturally deepen over time, and prayer becomes the most precious part of the day.I did this. I used to think: “15 minutes, check-off, good to go.” Then I learned that it’s relational, spending precious time with one you love. And now 15 seems too little.Podcast NotesStart Small, Grow Consistently: Begin with just 15 minutes of daily prayer. It’s achievable and can become the sweetest part of your day as your relationship deepens.Prayer Is Essential: Like Daniel and Epaphras, believers are called to pray constantly — not because it’s easy, but because temptation and need are constant.Epaphras: The Quiet Intercessor: A humble, hardworking servant who “wrestled in prayer” for others. It wasn’t for fame, but for their spiritual maturity and steadfastness.Make Time, Sacrifice Something: Replace 15 minutes of scrolling, TV, or leisure with prayer, and treat it like a non-negotiable appointment with God.Challenge: Commit to one week of 15-minute daily prayer—then reflect: Did it feel like a chore… or a gift? Let us know how it went!Image by Ruslan Sikunov from PixabayJoin a group of intercessors who labor in prayers for God’s people Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

Most of us have been there. We’ve brought the same request before God again and again, wondering if He hears, wondering if we’ve done something wrong, wondering if we should just stop asking. But Scripture and church history are full of stories of people who waited — and found that the waiting itself was part of the answer.A woman once came to a pastor in tears. She’d been praying for her prodigal son for eleven years. “I’m starting to think God doesn’t care,” she said. The pastor opened his Bible to John 11 and read her two words: “Jesus wept.” Then he said, “He cares. He’s just not finished yet.” Here are three reasons Spurgeon says God’s answers may be delayed:God delays to display His sovereignty. He is not subject to our timetable, and sometimes the silence is simply His reminder that He is God and we are not; that grace is a gift, not a vending machine transaction. God delays to deepen our desire. The waiting sharpens us. It shows us how much we truly need what we’re asking for, and it burns away the casual requests, leaving only the prayers we genuinely cannot live without. God delays to display His glory at the fullest moment. When Jesus finally arrived at the tomb of Lazarus, He didn’t come to console a grieving family, He came to raise the dead. The delay was preparation for something greater than healing.You see, there is a kind of faith that only forms in the furnace of waiting and forged, not in the moment of answered prayer, but in the long, quiet stretch between the asking and the receiving. It looks like Elijah on his knees, face to the ground, praying six times with no sign of rain, and sending his servant back for a seventh look. It looks like Paul, thorn unremoved, learning that grace sufficient is not grace absent. It looks like a woman who has prayed eleven years and keeps praying on the twelfth, even when she doesn’t feel like it, because she has decided that God is worth trusting even when He is silent.Remember this: The prayers you’ve prayed are not lost. They are filed in heaven, and heaven never loses a file.“Our Father has reasons peculiar to Himself for thus keeping us waiting. Sometimes it is to show His power and His sovereignty, that men may know that the Lord has a right to give or to withhold. More frequently the delay is for our profit... Your prayers are all filed in heaven, and if not immediately answered, they are certainly not forgotten, but in a little while shall be fulfilled to your delight and satisfaction. Let not despair make you silent, but continue instant in earnest supplication.” — C.H. SpurgeonWait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD! — Psalm 27:14See also: Psalm 31:24; Psalm 37:9, 34; Psalm 130:5; Isaiah 8:17; Isaiah 30:18; Isaiah 40:31This kind of waiting means to look for with hopeful expectation, with patience and endurance — while we pray through the delay.What about you, are you praying even though He delays? Want to join a group of intercessors who are learning to watch and pray, to cry to the Lord? Consider a free subscription. Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

We are surrounded by the lost. If they don’t know Jesus as Lord and Savior, they are lost, unsaved, in the domain of darkness, aka. pagans. And they may well be family, neighbors, co-workers; our family doctor, the girl at the grocery checkout, a client; a person sitting next to us, or someone we consider voting for. We pray today for unsaved people among us, as did Paul: Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. Romans 10:1 ESVDo we have that same heart for the lost as did Paul? He told his fellow Christians (Brothers) that it was his heart’s desire the unbelievers be saved, and so he prayed. It’s likely few of us could truly say this is a desire of our own heart to that same degree.Paul was speaking of “they”, his kinsmen, those of Israel, who despite their position as God's chosen people, had not acknowledged Jesus the Christ as the Messiah. Instead the Jews had rejected Him, and rather maintained the Law and sought righteousness on the merit of their own works, according to their tradition. As Barnes notes: “He had no desire that his kinsmen should be destroyed. He still wished their welfare; and could still pray for them that they might return to God.” He prayed that they might be saved: “This clearly refers to salvation from the sin of unbelief; and the consequences of sin in hell. It does not refer to the temporal calamities which were coming upon them, but to preservation from the eternal anger of God” Help the Church pray more, share this post with another who would also prayHis heart’s desire (or good will of his heart) was an earnest and sincere wish; not only did Paul cherish this feeling but he expressed this desire to God, in prayer. He would likely not have prayed for them if they had not been utterly cast away. Since many still disbelieve today, we, like Apostle Paul, pray for all in the nations who today reject Christ and the Gospel message of salvation apart from Law and Works. Certainly we know many of the same types of folks around us— those who have either not heard the Gospel (properly presented), or, upon hearing, have rejected it’s saving truth and grace, mercy and eternal salvation. First—Ask the Lord to give you a heart for the lost, to make it a desire of your heart to see them saved. Then—Ask for the salvation of unbelievers around you (known and unknown to you) that may they be given the gift of salvation and faith leading to repentance and life in Christ. Make a list, ask for them by name, that He would choose them as He chose you.Plead with the Lord on their behalf! Ask the Lord: * To give knowledge of salvation to these people by the remission of their sins, - Luke 1:77 * For a heart that believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth their confession made unto salvation. - Romans 10:10 * For by grace they be saved through faith, and that not of themselves; it is the gift of God, - Ephesians 2:8 * For the word of the Lord to grow mightily (the preaching and teaching) and prevail (be heard, be light in darkness, win the lost) - Acts 19:20 And pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into the field, which are ripe and plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray for harvesters.We pray this blesses you and that you’d consider joining us as a free subscriber Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

We are connected in communities, aren’t we? Family people, church people, work people, and neighbors, friends, and on and on. We are social creatures, spending much of our time in proximity to other people.These are people God put in our lives—to relate to, work with, share life with—and pray for. The Lord wants you and I to come to Him and ask for blessings on their behalf. And you may be the only person to ever pray for that individual! Even if we don’t know a specific need or request they have, we ought still pray. We can pray from God’s word in complete confidence that He hears and will answer according to His word. Here are seven prayers for different people groups: Pray for God’s peopleBut may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle [you]. - 1 Peter 5:10 NKJV* perfect—be complete, sound or fit, equipped* establish—be stable, fixed, firm, steadfast* strengthen—be strong (in faith), have power* settle—be on a firm foundation, rooted on truthPray for your peoplePrayer is the most powerful and effective tool we have to bless and protect our family. Let’s pray for them to think more on JesusFinally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things [are] noble, whatever things [are] just, whatever things [are] pure, whatever things [are] lovely, whatever things [are] of good report, if [there is] any virtue and if [there is] anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. - Philippians 4:8 NKJVSet [our] mind on things above, not on things on the earth. - Colossians 3:2 NKJVPray for unsaved peopleAsk for the salvation of unbelievers around you: co-workers, neighbors, friends; may they be given the gift of salvation and faith leading to repentance and life in Christ.We ask the Lord: To give knowledge of salvation to His people By the remission of their sins, - Luke 1:77 NKJVFor with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. - Romans 10:10 NKJVFor by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; [it is] the gift of God, - Ephesians 2:8 NKJVPray for yourselfPray for growing in the Lord in your inner man -- that [You] would grant [me], according to the riches of [Your] glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in [my] inner man, - Ephesians 3:16 NKJVPray for more Love--And this I pray, that [my] love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, - Philippians 1:9 NKJVmay [I] be able to comprehend with all the saints what [is] the width and length and depth and height-- to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. - Ephesians 3:18-19 NKJVPray for our those who governMay they govern by the Word of God - As we pray from Psalm 19:7-11 for our public servants, we pray they would know and value the commandments of God and teachings of Christ, and may these guide them in how they live, serve, and govern.The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. - Psalm 19:7-11 ESVPray for preachers, teachers, evangelistsGrant to Your servants that with all boldness [we] may speak Your word…and [we] may all be filled with the Holy Spirit, and [we] speak the word of God with boldness.—Acts 4:29, 31And may the word of the Lord grow mightily and prevail.—Acts 19:20 NKJVPray for harvestersThen He said to them, "The harvest truly [is] great, but the laborers [are] few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. - Luke 10:2 NKJV"And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. - John 16:23 NKJVAnd so, we ask. AmenPhoto CreditJoin the Epaphras Prays prayer group Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

Back in the early days when I first began to seek the Lord in prayer, I really knew very, very little about praying at all. After all, it was not something that I naturally knew or had learned automatically.But the church I started attending, it was a big part of their day. They had several in-church prayer meetings each day for one hour at 6 and noon and 6 p.m. seven days a week.I started going. I hooked up with other individuals to start praying with. But I felt like I had so little to offer and so much to learn.One of the things that really helped was going through the Psalms, of course. The other thing that helped was praying with prayers. That is, other people who knew what prayer was and how to go pray.And I studied what they did. Listened to what they did. And started to try and incorporate that into some of the praying that I was trying to do.One of the things that also helped was I came across an old hymnal. And in the hymnal, along with the songs, were a number of prayers from the Psalms and other prayers of the church for their liturgical services.Not knowing any different or any better, I started going through them and reading them as prayers. And they were a big help to me back then, and they still are today.If you, or if someone you know, is a little newer to prayer or would just like to grow in their prayer life, sometimes it’s helpful to read a prayer and pray a prayer that utilizes somebody else’s words.I like a number of these, let me share a few with you. Hear my prayer, O Lord. Let my cry come to Thee.This is select verses from Psalm 102.Hear the Prayers, and pray along in the podcast and make these prayers your own.Question: What is one thing you’ve found particularly helpful in learning to pray? If it is a book, or article, or a simple idea, please bless us with a comment about that. Join in the group and get regular articles and prayers like this one.Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

Introduction:In The Four Essentials of Prevailing Prayer, C.H. Spurgeon unpacks a single verse — Mark 11:24 — with profound depth, revealing that effective prayer is not about repetition or religious formality, but about faith in action. He challenges believers to move beyond vague petitions and half-hearted requests, calling instead for prayer that is focused, fervent, confident, and expectant. This isn’t prayer as a ritual — it’s prayer as a divine force, capable of moving heaven and earth.Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. In the podcast is a look at what Spurgeon draws from Mark 11:24, outlining four qualities he considers essential to effective, prevailing prayer.“Our prayers are God’s decrees in another shape.”In short, Spurgeon presents prayer not as a passive ritual but as a powerful, purposeful act requiring clarity, passion, faith, and confident expectation.Here are 3 questions I’m wrestling with based on Spurgeon’s sermon:* How can I cultivate a “realizing expectation” in my prayer life — believing I’ve already received what I’ve asked for — without falling into presumption or ignoring God’s timing?* Spurgeon says prayer is “the grandest power in the entire universe.” How does this view challenge or reshape common modern understandings of prayer as merely a spiritual habit or emotional comfort?* What practical steps can I take to move from vague, general prayers to ones with “definite objects” — and how do I discern whether my desires align with God’s will before I pray with confidence?Conclusion:Spurgeon’s message remains as urgent today as when it was first preached: prayer is not passive — it is powerful, personal, and purposeful. When we pray with clear intent, burning desire, unwavering faith, and joyful expectation, we align ourselves with God’s own decrees. Subscribe to: Epaphras Prays | For The People of God from the Word of God. This is a newsletter about personal and intercessory praying, helping more people learn to pray more.Image by PixelLabs from Pixabay Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

The term “Bride of Christ” is a beautiful metaphor that describes Christians, the collective body of believers we call the Church, and our intimate relationship with Jesus. Throughout the New Testament, this imagery paints a picture of Jesus as the devoted Groom and the Church as His cherished Bride.Jesus as the GroomIn Scripture, Jesus is portrayed as a loving Groom preparing for His wedding day. Revelation captures this moment of anticipation: “Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready” (Revelation 19:7 NIV). This passage points to the future when Jesus will return to earth and unite with His Church in the most significant wedding celebration imaginable.Dressed for the WeddingWhen that day comes, the Bride will be clothed in fine linen, bright and pure. Revelation 19:8 tells us that “the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints” (NRSV). Just as a bride prepares herself for her wedding day, Christians are called to prepare ourselves for union with Christ. Preparation involves growing in purity and holiness, not as a distant future goal, but currently. Through the work of the Holy Spirit and the transforming power of God’s Word, we are being sanctified and made ready even now.What It Means to Be the BrideUnderstanding that we are the Bride of Christ has huge implications for how we live. As members of this Bride, we are to live in unity and love with one another, reflecting the deep commitment Christ has shown us. This unity becomes a powerful testimony to the world of what the Gospel does. We are also called to faithfulness and devotion to Christ, rejecting anything that would draw us away from Him spiritually. This means being dedicated to sound doctrine, genuine worship, and faithful service.Most importantly, we are encouraged to live in readiness, constantly preparing ourselves through spiritual growth and discipleship. We are to be “adorned and prepared for union with Christ, her husband” (Revelation 21:2), with our adornment representing the righteousness and glory that Christ Himself bestows upon us.Part of our preparing involves praying.Praying is Loving the BrideOne of the most practical ways we can love the Bride of Christ is to pray for her. When we pray for the Church and for our brothers and sisters in Christ, something remarkable happens within us. It becomes difficult to harbor resentment, criticism, or gossip toward those we are praying for. Our hearts soften, and serving and blessing them becomes increasingly normal. The more we pray for people, the more we begin to love them as Jesus taught us to love, even our enemies.When we intercede for the Church, we are actually walking in the same love that Christ demonstrated. Jesus is jealous for His Bride in the most beautiful sense, and He calls us to “walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God” (Ephesians 5:2). By praying for the Bride to be made ready, we participate in Christ’s own passion for her preparation and transformation.The Word as Our Cleansing AgentCentral to the Bride’s preparation is the cleansing work of God’s Word. When we pray for the Church to be sanctified and cleansed, we are praying that she would be transformed by the washing of water through the Word. This is not merely a physical act but a profound spiritual transformation. The Word of God is living and active, capable of renewing our hearts and minds in ways nothing else can (Hebrews 4:12). Through Scripture, we are taught, corrected, and trained in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17), and through the Word, our hearts are purified (John 15:3).The Gospel and the teachings of Christ have power to cleanse and sanctify us, revealing God’s will and empowering holy living. By praying from Scripture, like prayers found in Psalm 119, we are inviting the Word itself to do its transforming work in the Church and our own hearts.NOTE: If you follow my Notes on Substack this month, we are posting these daily:What do you think, would you like the full month of these as a PDF? Let me know in the comments.Living as the Prepared BrideChristians are called to live in a way that reveals this identity as the Bride of Christ. This means maturing and growing daily in love, purity, and holiness, allowing the Word to shape our thoughts and actions. Many of the prayers we find in Psalm 119 speak to knowing and living by God’s laws, ordinances, and precepts. In essence, they are prayers for help in loving the Groom, Jesus, and in becoming the prepared Bride He is coming for.When we pray for the Church using these scriptural prayers, we are asking for the Lord’s help in becoming that adorned and ready Bride, presented to Him at the end of the age for the wedding supper of the Lamb. In doing so, we join Christ in His loving work of preparation, and we grow in our own capacity to love as He loves.Thank you for reading Epaphras Prays! For more like this in your inbox, and to support this little praying community, consider a free subscription. Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

From Mark 11 starting in verse 12.The next day, when they had left Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if there was any fruit on it. But when He reached it, He found nothing on it except leaves, since it was not the season for figs. Then He said to the tree, “May no one ever eat of your fruit again.” And His disciples heard this statement.As they were walking back in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered from its roots. Peter remembered it and said, “Look, Rabbi! The fig tree You cursed has withered.”“Have faith in God,” Jesus said to them. “Truly I tell you that if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and has no doubt in his heart but believes that it will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.Lessons from the Fig Tree: Fruitfulness and FaithA PodcastWe will draw our lesson from Alistair Begg, from a sermon in October 2011, part of a series The Gospel According to Mark, Volume 5.This study explores the symbolic meaning of Jesus cursing the fig tree in Mark 11 (also Matthew 21) and highlights themes of faith, fruitfulness, and prayer among believers.Says Begg, “This is what we need to understand: God is able to do beyond all of your capacity to even imagine. You could even say, as it were, to this mountain, ‘Throw yourself in the sea,’ and it would actually be accomplished. It is a picture of the doing of the impossible. Jesus is encouraging his disciples to trust God with all that they need for doing God’s work.The passage serves as a call for self-examination — asking whether one’s life reflects genuine faith and fruitfulness — while encouraging believers to trust God boldly through prayer.Those who trust God for the right things in the right way may have confidence that from God they will always get the right response. ~Alistair BeggImage by quimuns from Pixabay Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

We often reach for the phone, the checkbook, the casserole when someone is in need, because doing something feels like being useful. Something practical, tangible, material. Helping is the right thing to do, but we often rush past prayer to get there. Our culture prizes accomplishing, and prayer rarely makes the to-do list. That gap between what we offer and what we actually do has a name. Which is pride.The Psalmist saw it clearly: “The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts” (Psalm 10:4). Ouch! That indictment lands closer to home than we’d like, doesn’t it? When we bypass prayer to get straight to doing, we’re quietly assuming our hands matter more than His. But to followers of Christ, prayer is doing something. In fact, it’s doing the most important something, because it involves God directly in the situation.Prayer isn’t the backup plan. It’s where every real plan begins. It isn’t a last resort, it’s the first action before anything else.Scripture returns to this with familiar directives. “Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually” (1 Chronicles 16:11). “Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near” (Isaiah 55:6). “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). These aren’t suggestions for the spiritually advanced, they’re the everyday duty of every believer. Remember what Jesus said to Peter, “I have prayed for you” because He was asking the Father that his disciple’s faith would not fail. Nothing more needed done. Hear this: to pray for someone is not the least we can do, it is the highest thing!But this isn’t a call to fold our hands and stop there. What can we do for the Christians in Ecuador and Ethiopia? For the person who lost a job, is ill, or has fallen from faith? For the people of God? We pray first and then we act. The Lord goes to work in us, for us, and through us to bring the answer. Our sleeves still get rolled up, just not before our knees hit the floor. The person who prays before they act doesn’t do less, what they do then is better.In short, the most helpful thing you can offer anyone isn’t a solution but access to the One who holds all solutions. When we stop treating prayer as a preamble to the “real” help and recognize it as the real help, everything we do afterward carries a different weight — given freely, guided wisely, and grounded in something more than our own best effort.We like to say: start on your knees, then roll up your sleeves.Subscribe to: Epaphras Prays | For The People of God from the Word of God. This is a newsletter about personal and intercessory praying, helping more people learn to pray more. Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

What if every blessing you’ve ever needed was already waiting — held back not by your circumstances, but by your silence?In this episode, we explore from a Spurgeon sermon (The Result of Prayer) about how prayer isn’t just a spiritual habit — it’s the doorway that mercy walks through. Tracing the pattern from Scripture and lived experience, we look at why great blessings are almost always preceded by prayer, what it means that prayer is mercy’s shadow, and why the act of asking makes what God gives even more precious.“Thus says the Lord God: I will also let the house of Israel inquire of Me to do this for them.” — Ezekiel 36:37Something to sit with after you listen:* Looking back, can you trace a blessing to a season of prayer that came just before it?* Is there something you need right now that you haven’t yet brought to God?* What would change if you truly believed the blessing was already on its way?Let me know in the comments:“Prayer makes the darkened cloud withdraw, Prayer climbs the ladder Jacob saw, Gives exercise to faith and love, Brings every blessing from above.” — C.H. SpurgeonPhoto by Manuel Capellari on Unsplash Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

Getting a group together for a prayer meeting can be a challenge. Many people don't like to pray aloud with others, so they prefer to sit quietly. Others might come to a prayer meeting but don't really know much about prayer at all, so starting one can feel daunting. One of the things I like to utilize with new prayer groups — groups filled with people who like the idea of praying but haven't spent a lot of time praying with others — is to introduce different acronyms or frameworks to help get things started. I pray the Scriptures, but sometimes having an acronym to help you remember several different areas to pray for is very helpful, especially in a group setting.One of those acronyms I like to use is CHURCH, and these are the areas I like to introduce people to.Church - pray for fellow believers in your church, especially pray for those who serve and minister to the members: the pastor, elders, teachers, singers, and staff. Pray that each would love the Lord, walk and live according to the word, grow in faith, be kept from the evil one, that make disciples and equip the saints.Household - pray for those in your family, primarily your spouse, your children, your parents, and even distant family you rarely see. Pray that love would abound toward one another, children would honor their parents and obey them, that husbands love their wives, that wives respect their husbands, that peace be on the household.Unsaved - pray for others you know who do not know the Lord. Pray they hear the Good News, understand the are sinners, in need of a Savior who is Jesus, that they repent and believe the Gospel and be transferred from the domain of darkness to the kingdom of Light, they know Jesus as Lord and Savior.Revival - pray for the Word of God to run swiftly across the land and be glorified. Pray for the seed to be sown on good soil, for workers to be sent to the harvest field, for ears to hear and eyes to see, for open doors, that words may be given us to boldly proclaim the mystery of the Gospel.Cares - cast your cares on the Lord, being anxious for nothing, but by prayer and petition with thanksgiving make your requests known to God. Pray for peace, for joy, for faith, for protection and provision, for grace and favor, that you might rest in full assurance of the Father’s love, under His Lordship and will.Holy Spirit - pray for that good gift given by the Father, for how much more will He give to those that ask Him. Pray for His gifts, fruit, and wisdom. Pray to walk in step with the Spirit, to pray at all times in the Spirit, to be taught by the Spirit, to know his counsel and His comfort.One of the ways you might use this in a small prayer group is to gather with five other people, so there are six of you total. Pass this sheet out to everyone in the prayer circle. You begin by praying for the C, then the person to your right or left can pray for the H, then someone else for the U, and so on — going around the circle that way.Generally, these simple introductory prayers will inspire someone to continue going deeper in a particular area. Very often, the Holy Spirit wants to linger on one of those areas — or maybe more than one, taken one at a time — and go deeper. Under the letter U, for example, if you’re praying for the unsaved, you might begin naming specific people. Under the R, you might start naming places — cities, countries — and linger there for a while until you feel prompted to move on to the next letter.Sometimes, when people have a place to begin, a clear starting point, they can go from there. It’s a little like walking into an amusement park with a map. There are so many places to go, things to see and do — rides, games, food — and you’re not sure where to start. So you start at the entry gate, you take a map, and you go to one thing, and then a different place, and the next. In a similar way, this framework can help navigate a circle of people through a time of prayer — getting everyone started, then moving to the next area when it seems right by the Spirit to do so.I hope this serves as a helpful starting point for those just beginning a small prayer group.May your prayer times be fruitful, Spirit-led, and a blessing to all who gather. Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

These prayers come from the scriptures in 1 and 2 Peter, and they reveal to us God’s own will for his people. After all, this is what Peter was writing to his letters recipients and said, do this, have this, know this. Then we also know and understand that this is what God has for us, that is, his people today. As then, also now.And because there are scriptural prayers, we can count on these prayers because they come from his own word. This is his will, his testimony, his covenant.And so in prayer, we can approach the throne of grace and ask this or that be done according to his own word.Prayer Verses1 Peter 4: 7-9The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint.1 Peter 5: 10, 11After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.2 Peter 1: 2, 3Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.2 Peter 3: 18But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.Join us in the PrayerCast Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

This time we dive back into the article archives and still find fresh the prayer insights from E.M.Bounds. He explores the central role of prayer in the Christian life, emphasizing that prayer has been the peculiar distinction of all of God’s saints. This has been the secret of their power. The energy and the soul their work has been the closet.Christians Need God’s HelpThe need of help being so great, our natural inability to always judge kindly, justly, and truly, and to act the Golden Rule, so prayer is needed to enable us to act in all these things according to the Lord’s will. By prayer, we are able to feel the law of love, to speak according to the law of love, and to do everything in harmony with the law of love. God can help us. God is a Father. We need God’s good things to help us to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly before God. We need Divine aid to act brotherly, wisely, and nobly, and to judge truly and charitably. God’s help to do all these things in God’s way is secured by prayer. Ask and you shall receive; seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you. In other words, Bounds is saying we need help, God is our helper, and we need to continually ask him for his help. This is why we pray. Prayer enables believers to act according to the will and word of God, particularly in following the law of love and treating others with grace and kindness.Continue In PrayerIn Romans 12, Paul writes “of Christian graces and duties, in the middle which we writes be constant in prayer, as if these rich and rare graces and unselfish duties had for their center and source the ability to pray.” In Colossians, Paul uses the word again, Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving. The word means: strong, to stay, hold fast, persevere and give constant attention to.In Acts, chapter six, it is translated Give ourselves continually to prayer. It means giving marked attention to and deep concern to a thing.Prayer, says Bounds, “is to be incessant, without intermission, with the spirit and the life always in the attitude of prayer. The knees may not be bended, the lips may not always be vocal, but the spirit is always in the act of prayer.”Without intermission, and incessantly, describe “an opulence,” and “energy, and unabated and ceaseless strength and fullness of effort” on our part. This is a continual spiritual attitude even when not physically praying.Christ The IntercessorJesus is the all powerful Intercessor, he is “the Christ of prayer, offering prayers and supplications, seeking silence and solitude and darkness that He might pray unheard and unwitnessd, save by heaven, in His wrestling agony, for man with God.”Says Bounds, Jesus ever lives, “enthroned above at the Father’s right hand, there to pray for us!”Then how truly does the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, represent Jesus as the Christ of Prayer! The Divine Comforter puts into human hearts the burden of earth’s almighty need, and makes the human lips give voice to its mute and unutterable groanings.God’s Holy Spirit works within believers to align our prayers with God’s will, creating a divine partnership in prayer ministry. He quiets all the self-will, until “in will, in brain, and in heart and by mouth, we pray only what he prays: Making intercession for the saints, according to the will of God.”This is the divine ministry of prayer. It is our privilege to be partnered with Christ, joined with Him and serving in such a way. This prayer-partnership is the secret of the power of God’s people; is it the essential means by which believers receive divine help to live righteously, access God's power, and partner with Christ in interceding for others according to God's will.Photo by Ricardo Gomez Angel on Unsplash Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

We usually think praise is singing to the Lord with songs, music and words, combined as hymns, or praise and worship. Indeed, the Psalms are set to musical tunes and instruments were utilized in praise. Then David spoke to the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brethren [to be] the singers accompanied by instruments of music, stringed instruments, harps, and cymbals, by raising the voice with resounding joy. 1 Chronicles 15:16Many churches sing from a hymnal during services, and we’ve grown used to “praise and worship music.”But praise does not always need to be combined with music. Sometimes, often really, it is the overflow of our heart to Him. Perhaps in the car, or just coming home from work, or after the kids are asleep, it can hit us. After a trying time or difficulty, and we get relief, grace, healing or an answered prayer, we might utter a heartfelt “Praise the Lord!” There are times during a prayer meeting we are undone by a greater awareness of Who He is, and what He has done for us, in us, and with us. This usually prompts our praise as we recognize this back to Him. Or, we see something in the Scriptures which hits us like lightning and we stop and praise for this fresh understanding, this realization of Truth anew.Praise is our declaring the greatness of God to God himself. And we praise Him for He is worthy of our praise! He inhabits the praises of His people, and we will forever give Him the glory due His name, joining the angels who sing now ‘round His throne. When we praise Him, we are giving honor to the One worthy of honor. It is proclaiming the excellencies of the Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, Provider, Holy, Glorious, Awesome Maker of heaven and earth. Praising the Lord who is good and who’s mercies endure is to acknowledge his lordship over our lives. We praise God because we owe Him this awe, reverence, respect, and humility.Prayer, at it’s core, is us communicating to God. This is a primary activity of our fellowship with Him in Christ. In prayer we often ask for things — for help, or blessings, or wisdom — or a new job, health, peace, etc. By prayer, we tell Him our hopes and cast on Him our cares, and we give thanks to Him in appreciation. You see, prayer isn’t only asking for things, but also giving glory to whom it is due. When we pray “hallowed be your name,” we are asking the Lord Almighty to glorify his name and bring honor to it. Says Barnes: The word "hallowed" means to render or pronounce holy. God's name is essentially holy; and the meaning of this petition is, "Let thy name be celebrated, venerated, and esteemed as holy everywhere, and receive from all people proper honor." It is thus the expression of a wish or desire, on the part of the worshiper, that the name of God, or that God Himself, should be held everywhere in proper veneration.* So then praising is praying in that we tell God how great he is, and ask Him to glorify in us his name. This creates in us awareness of his majesty and authority, resulting in humble dependence on his sovereign will. Consider that Jesus taught we should pray the Lord’s name be honored rightly, and we pray the he bring his Kingdom and will in us and around us. (Luke 11:2).Many of the Psalms offer praises to the Lord. Look through Psalm 118 and we see the Lord:Is good and his love endures forever; the LORD answered me and is my refuge; The LORD is on my side; for me among those who help me; is my strength and song; to be trusted more than man; the one who helps; who’s right hand is exalted and does valiantly; has disciplined me severely, but He has not given me over to death; answers me, and has become my salvation; has become the chief cornerstone; has made this day; is God and has given us his light; is our God.In prayer, spend a good portion of time and attention to giving God praise! Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

Do people often ask you to pray for them? If you’ve spent any amount of time is prayer circles, church groups, or even online, you’ll encounter opportunities to pray for people. There are always needs and problems too big for us to handle. Our praying brings God into those situations. Involving others in those prayers is one way our Lord uses to connect us with one another. He will use our willingness to pray to Him to bless them. Why Do Others Ask For Prayer?* They feel helpless - recognizing they are unable handle it ourselves* They feel unworthy - to ask alone and our faith is weak* They see in Scripture and are taught to pray for each otherMany times requests for prayer come to us in the form of a need someone has. This need is likely a physical need— such as health, or finances, or a job, etc. It is quite common for folks to make a request when facing a big problem (in marriage, with children, at work, etc), when there is a big decision to make, or an opportunity and they are hoping it will turn out in their favor. You see, a person asking for prayer often is comforted just knowing someone is praying for them. In fact, I wonder how Peter felt when Jesus told him “I have prayed for you?” A request for prayer is a “felt need” the person has. Perhaps there is sickness and a request is prayers for healing; they lost a job and request prayers for a new one; a child has trouble with school or the law and they request prayers for them. Why Pray For Others?Praying for others is important because it fulfills a New Testament command.We are to pray for all people (1 Timothy 2:1). As we “carry each other’s burdens,” we “will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). Remember, the apostle Paul requested prayer for he and Timothy from the Corinthian church (2 Corinthians 1:11), and for prayer from believers in Ephesus (Ephesians 6:19). Certainly we note that Jesus prayed for others—see Luke 22:32, and 22:40, and John 17:11 and 17:17 as examples. Of course we respond by actually praying, and praying as requested. The felt need is what prompts a request, but that is not all we might pray for them. There is nothing wrong with casting these cares upon the Lord, for he cares for us, Other times the request is less a need and more a want. We want a new job, we want a better something, we want a parking spot in the shade, we want _____. Our response is the same: we pray as requested, but again, there is more we can pray for them.Three Prayers For The RequesterFirst, pray as we are asked — that is, for the job, the health, the wayward teen, the difficult circumstances would resolve (i.e. at home or at work); pray for a favorable outcome that the requester seeks. These are prayers for material blessings. Secondly, pray from the Scriptures. As examples: Ask for grace and peace be with them; ask for wisdom from above; may they be strong in the Lord and the strength of his might; for the Lord to supply what is lacking in their faith; for help in unbelief; that they stand firm in all the will of God and be mature in the Lord; that they know the fullness of the love of God; to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man; that they be sanctified completely, kept spirit, soul and body, and preserved blameless; that they be filled with all joy and peace in believing, etc.These are prayers for spiritual blessings; they are all according to the Word and the Father’s will—prayers that find a yes in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 1:20).Thirdly, that the Lord’s will be done—what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Romans 12:2). This is especially so when the request is more of a want than a need. How many times does the Lord answer our prayers differently than we asked or expected? For many of us, we might say all the time! Remember, the Lord is not obligated to respond to give us exactly what we ask, but He will answer for our good and for His glory. A Bonus PrayerAdditionally, very often the request is for one who may not know the Lord, and we pray for their salvation. We pray they hear the good news of the Gospel and respond; that they fall under the conviction the Holy Spirit and repent and believe; that they become aware of their sins and believe they need Jesus and cry for his mercy; that they be transferred from the domain of darkness in to the light of Jesus.In short: Intercessory prayer connects believers with one another, brings God into difficult situations, and provides comfort to those requesting prayer while fulfilling biblical commands to carry each other's burdens.Pray for me as I pray for you.Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

Many of the most insightful and enduring lessons we learn concerning prayer come from Andrew Murray. I love this excerpt from his work With Christ in the School of Prayer, the Twenty Sixth Lesson: I have prayed for you. It has been lightly edited here:But I have prayed for you, that your faith fail not. --Luke 22:32I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you. --John 16:26He ever lives to make intercession.--Hebrews 7:25All growth in the spiritual life is connected with the clearer insight into what Jesus is to us. The more we realize that Christ must be all to me and in me, that all in Christ is indeed for us, the more we learn to live the real life of faith, which, dying to self, lives wholly in Christ.We learn first from Murray that the Christian life is not a feeble or failing struggle to live right, but the resting in Christ and finding strength in Him as our life, to fight the fight and gain the victory of faith.This is specially true of the life of prayer!How clearly this comes out in the last night of His life. In His high-priestly prayer (John 17), He shows us how and what He has to pray to the Father, and will pray when once ascended to heaven. And yet He had in His parting address so repeatedly also connected His going to the Father with their new life of prayer.The two would be ultimately connected: His entrance on the work of His eternal intercession would be the commencement and the power of their new prayer-life in His Name.Praying In His Name and PowerPraying In Union and In UnisonI Have Prayed For YouIt is to the fruit-bearing branches of the Vine; it is to disciples sent into the world as the Father sent Him, to live for perishing men; it is to His faithful servants and intimate friends who take up the work He leaves behind, who have like their Lord become as the seed-corn, losing its life to multiply it manifold;--it is to such that the promises are given.Brothers and sisters! Let us each find out what the work is, and who the souls are entrusted to our special prayers; let us make our intercession for them our life of fellowship with God, and we shall not only find the promises of power in prayer made true to us, but we shall then first begin to realize how our abiding in Christ and His abiding in us makes us share in His own joy of blessing and saving men.O most wonderful intercession of our Blessed Lord Jesus, to which we not only owe everything, but in which we are taken up as active partners and fellow-workers! Now we understand what it is to pray in the Name of Jesus, and why it has such power. In His Name, in His Spirit, in Himself, in perfect union with Him. O wondrous, ever active, and most efficacious intercession of the man Christ Jesus! When shall we be wholly taken up into it and always pray in it? Amen Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

Are you one of those who feels like praying all the time? Or, instead, do you only pray when you feel like it? Do you ever pray when you just don’t feel like praying?Says Spurgeon: If you do not pray except when you feel like praying, you will not pray much, nor pray when you most need it. My brethren, when you do not feel like praying, you ought to pray all the more, and go to the Lord to help you to pray. We do many things because we feel like it, like having an ice cream cone, going for a walk in the park, or watching a game on TV. We also don’t do things when we don’t feel like it, such as mowing the lawn, paying bills, calling a friend, or yes—praying.It is a very common human trait to do things we like and avoid things we don’t. We move toward pleasure and away from pain. And such is prayer for many, we avoid it until we cannot.But listen to Jesus, who tells us to take heed (to pay close attention to something) that we are to watch and to pray - which includes even when we don’t feel like it. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. Mark 13:33 This sounds like work, doesn’t it? And like work, praying takes effort, labor, struggle, time, focus, energy. Certainly it can, for Epaphras was said to be always laboring in prayers. This is perhaps why it is so avoided by too many today. To pray without ceasing isn’t so much referring to a length of time praying, but a frequency and a consistency of our praying. How often is our praying? It is only daily over the evening meal? Or only in the morning before setting out for the day? It is even that often? Do you primarily pray when facing a certain difficult person or task? Or do you pray three times daily, like Daniel, who was committed to praying even when it was unlawful by the kings decree? We must get rid of the icicles that hang about our lips. We must ask the Lord to thaw the ice-caves of our soul and to make our hearts like a furnace of fire heated seven times hotter. C.H. SpurgeonYears ago, my co-worker would say, “Well there’s nothing to do but do.” And so we picked up our tools and went back at it, not because we felt like it, but because there was nothing else but keep at it until the job was finished.Often, when we tackle a task — even grudgingly, isn’t the sense of satisfaction upon completion all the sweeter? When the lawn or laundry is done, and there is a brief respite in the cool shade, does not the sense of the accomplishment seem even larger?It is the same with our praying. The hardest part is the beginning of the thing, but the process will bring a sweet peace, a hope, and an awareness of the Lord’s love that we end with a knowing his promises are Yes and Amen. Remember: your lack of feeling like praying while you’re in prayer is perfectly normal. Our faith in God’s promises is built, not on emotion, but on trust. The best time to pray is right now. There is no better time for praying than this very moment. So let me ask you:What are we waiting for? Photo by Vladislav Klapin on Unsplash Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

When we are faced with crises, a difficulty, or suffering, what is our response? What should it be? Too often my first response isn’t to run to the Lord. Instead it’s fear, frustration, or fretting. All too easily we all get upset and react out of emotion, letting feelings drive our thoughts and actions. Stress responses, like anger, short-term focus, and adrenaline rising, we just want to run away or be rescued from it.In short, our primary crisis mode is very human. But for the children of Almighty God, we have a loving heavenly Father who is a strong tower, and the righteous run to it. The sheep of His pasture have a Good Shepherd who tends His flock, leading us to green pastures and still waters. Our first response may not be to return to the Father’s house, but our second should be.In the Old Testament book of Nehemiah, he returns to Jerusalem to lead the people of God tp repair the city’s broken walls. In chapter 8 we read:So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard, on the first day of the seventh month...v 6, And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground...v 13, And on the second day were gathered together the chief of the fathers of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to understand the words of the law...v 18, Also day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day was a solemn assembly, according unto the manner.Then in chapter 9, v 1-3, Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackclothes, and earth upon them. And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers. And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LORD their God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshiped the LORD their God. (ESV)What is a Godly response? Reading His Word, praising, praying, and repenting. See Numbers 16, when Moses and Aaron fell facedown and said, “O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, when one man sins, will You be angry with the whole congregation?” because of the rebellion of the sons of Korah.Read 2 Samuel 24 when God sent a plague upon Israel from that morning until the appointed time, and seventy thousand of the people from Dan to Beersheba died. And David saw the angel striking down the people, he spoke to the Lord.In Job 1 we find that in one single day, Job lost his children and his possessions. What did he do? Job stood up, tore his robe, and shaved his head. He fell to the ground and worshiped!Brothers and sisters in Christ, we should in like manner in our day, gather together the children of God and cry out to Him.These recent years we have seen crises after crises, including riots, wars, famines, hurricanes, fires, floods, and sickness. The world’s response is altogether different than Christians should have. But far to many of us have acted more like the world than as those who follow the One who even the winds and the seas obey!We ought to throw open the doors of our sanctuaries and call the assembly of the saints! Gathering in twos and threes, tens or dozens to cry out to the Lord, reading His Word, praising, praying, and repenting for our sins and the sins committed by the nations against the Lord and His anointed (Psalm 2). If we would assemble and cry out for mercy and grace, then perhaps the Lord Almighty, the Maker of the heavens and the earth, the One who oversees all the affairs in his creation and who knows even the sparrow who falls to the ground — the only One capable of stopping a plague, would intervene on our behalf!The world’s authorities play god, but we call on the Living God. It took 10 plagues for Pharaoh to relent, let’s up hope we don’t need that many. Call the pastors, the elders, the ministers and laypeople, the old and young, the weak and the strong, the faithful followers of Christ — and like the young man in Luke 15:18, return to the Fathers’ house to call upon the Lord, that perhaps He would intervene and avert evil. Even if a large gathering doesn’t happen, gather just 2 other faithful and meet in a home. Let there be thousands and thousands of such meetings each week and day all across the land. Let us show the world that the Lord, He is God! Amen. Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

'Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.' Jeremiah 33:3 NKJVGod has ordained prayers as our means of communicating to Him, for His ears are open to their cry. (Psalm 34:15) We are to call on Him and ask of Him that He may answer. David is confident that God hears, for he says, “The LORD will hear when I call to Him.” (Psalm. 4:3).The Bible has many promises that the Lord will hear our prayers and answer them. Indeed the Lord promises, “It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer;And while they are still speaking, I will hear.” (Isaiah 65:24). The Lord has promised to not only hears our prayers, but that he will graciously and lovingly answer them for our good (Romans 8:28). “Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him.” (John 9:31)In prayer we must not look to the merit of man, but to the grace of God. Only in this we should copy after Elijah, that he prayed earnestly, or, as it is in the original, in prayer he prayed. M HenryAlmighty God listens to our prayers because He has promised to.Elijah is one of our Bible heroes: He called down fire from heaven, and challenged the priests of Baal. By prayer he stopped rain for 3-1/2 years, then also by prayer started it again. And with prayer he revived a widows son who had died. You can read more about Elijah in 1 Kings 17-18. But, says James, “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly…” James 5:17This man of God was much like us. In other translations of this verse, he was: subject to like passions as we are, as human as we are, a human being, even as we are, a man of like nature with ourselves. He got discouraged, hungry, tired, upset, scared.In other words, the great prophet was merely human, and could be frail, fragile, and fail — yet he was also a righteous man whose fervent prayer was answered by the Lord. Elijah’s heart was in tune with God’s, and he was much used of the Lord.We learn through James that the Lord will use ordinary people to do (or pray) extraordinary things. He used Moses, who said he was not eloquent, and Jeremiah who said he was too young. His anointed king was just a shepherd boy. Likewise he chose hot-tempered Peter, and willful Saul. God indeed uses the foolish things of the world to shame the wise. So then let us not be discouraged that we don’t have a big name or following, or that we are not some super-spiritual giant. Nor doubt our simple, persistent, feeble praying has not been heard. Instead may we be encouraged that we have a nature like Elijah’s, because we too can pray effectual fervent prayers that avail much! Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving: Colossians 4:2 From the sermons of Charles H. Spurgeon:It is interesting to remark how large a portion of Sacred Writ is occupied with the subject of prayer, either in furnishing examples, enforcing precepts, or pronouncing promises. We scarcely open the Bible before we read, "Then began men to call upon the name of the Lord;" and just as we are about to close the volume, the "Amen" of an earnest supplication meets our ear. Instances are plentiful. Here we find a wrestling Jacob--there a Daniel who prayed three times a day--and a David who with all his heart called upon his God. On the mountain we see Elias; in the dungeon Paul and Silas. We have multitudes of commands, and myriads of promises. What does this teach us, but the sacred importance and necessity of prayer? We may be certain that whatever God has made prominent in his Word, he intended to be conspicuous in our lives. If he has said much about prayer, it is because he knows we have much need of it. So deep are our necessities, that until we are in heaven we must not cease to pray. Do you want nothing? Then, I fear you do not know your poverty. Have you no mercy to ask of God? Then, may the Lord's mercy show you your misery! A prayerless soul is a Christless soul.Prayer is the lisping of the believing infant, the shout of the fighting believer, the requiem of the dying saint falling asleep in Jesus. It is the breath, the watchword, the comfort, the strength, the honor of a Christian. If you be a child of God, you wilt seek your Father's face, and live in your Father's love.Pray that this year you may be holy, humble, zealous, and patient; have closer communion with Christ, and to enter often into the banqueting-house of his love. Pray that you may be an example and a blessing to others, and that you may live more to the glory of your Master. The motto for this year must be, Continue In Prayer.Yes, brothers and sisters in Christ our Lord! Like the waters from mountains high, running ceaselessly through valleys low, prayer flows without end to it’s destination. May you continue daily be steadfast—that is to be firm, sure, secure, strong, stable, solid—in praying always with all prayer, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. Amen Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

For decades, actually several centuries, the people of God endured hardships while enslaved to Egyptian masters. Finally, after much groaning, they cried out to God for help. By now, they had to have been desperate for rescue and deliverance. And so they called. And when they did, God heard and responded. The people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help … And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant. Exodus 2:23-24Are we that desperate in our day? Are we aware how dire our circumstances and cry out for help? Some, but not enough. We are too independent and self-reliant for that. We are ignorant of our situation, preferring to be engrossed in activity or entertainment. We rely on political solutions, hoping it won’t get too bad and perhaps get a little better. We just don’t know what to do. Maybe we attend a fellowship that seeks a new way, one more modern in it’s theology, and all good with adapting to the world around us.But for those who see the signs of the times, we need to be desperate for the Lord’s intervention, and cry out for His help. Otherwise we are just treading the same ground and making bricks without straw, and the world outside our door falls into more wickedness and more depravity—away from the way of salvation.This means we must pray, and pray more, both privately and corporately. In our personal daily prayer times, we seek the Lord on our own behalf and that of our family, friends and neighbors. In our churches, we need prayer meetings, where we seek the Lord for each other, praying for the people of God near and across all the lands. All of us can pray and should. We cannot leave this to just a few that feel an unction, calling or passion for it. But at least weekly, we all should be in a meeting with others. The people of Israel, and where two or three are gathered, says Jesus, he is among them. God heard THEIR groaning.When we do this, God hears us as he did then and remembers his covenant. He will remember and act, but will not until and unless we ask!Remember Jairus? He was desperate, for his daughter was sick to the degree that he sought the Healer. When he found him, Jairus fell at his feet and implored him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.” Mark 5:21-23 And the next verse tells us that Jesus went with him. You see: Jairus implored him earnestly. That’s desperate. That’s what we need. Men and women of faith in our day who seek the Lord and implore him earnestly.Not casually or occasionally, but regularly and earnestly. God will hear us when we do and he will remember. He will deliver, in his way and in his time and in answer to our prayers—for we are here for such a time as this. This is what God’s people need to be reminded of now, just as they did then: God hears our groaning, God knows our circumstances, and He will act. Not one of His promises will fail. —Alistair BeggPraying for the People of God from the Word of GodRighteous Father, today we pray like Epaphras, who was a servant of Christ Jesus, we are also always struggling on your behalf in prayers, that we may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. Make us perfect and complete. Amen Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

Episode DescriptionJoin us in prayer as we pursue peace through intercession for God’s people, using powerful passages from Romans 14 and 15.Prayer Focus* Peace - Building harmony in the body of Christ* Endurance - Strength to persevere in faith* Unity - Oneness among believers* Joy, Peace & Hope - Overflowing in God’s abundanceWe sit quietly at your feet and look to you, Father, coming to you with cares and worries and requests and casting them all on you with thanksgiving, for you care for us…knowing that you are the uncreated maker of heaven and earth and you oversee all things and all the affairs of all the creation for all of your dear children.Scripture References* Romans 14:19* Romans 15:5-6* Romans 15:7* Romans 15:13Add your Prayer or Amen Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

One quiet night long ago, humble shepherds tending their flocks were the first to hear the glad tidings of great joy. Angels suddenly appeared in the sky to herald the good news of a Child lying in a manger, the Savior who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:9-11)Then after the angels sang and left, the shepherds went to see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to them. Can you imagine? The announcement of the Word became flesh and dwelling among us is first told in the countryside to poor shepherds. The Good Shepherd of all was first seen by those herding sheep. The Lamb of God visited first by ones tending the lambs.And what did they do?Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. Luke 2:17-18 Let’s pray this same news spread far and wide this Christmas season! Pray for the message of Christ to be heard all across the land! Ask for those who believe be like these herdsmen and proclaim His coming widely known!You see: Many are those who disbelieve because they have never truly heard the good news, only about it. Many others misbelieve because what they have heard about Jesus is twisted myth not Truth. Plenty of well intentioned people will get all caught up the festivities of the holiday. There will be parties for toasting, marshmallows for roasting and caroling out in the snow. All well and good, but void of the real reason Jesus came. He was born in a manger to bear a cross—for us! Hallelujah, AmenHere are 7 Prayers for Salvation of Unbelievers* Pray the Word of the Lord run swiftly and be glorified - 2 Thessalonians 3:1, we pray the Good News would travel across the land, to every town, church, street and house; that as it does, it would be light in the darkness.* Pray for ears to hear the message of the angels, for faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God - Romans 10:17, we pray for the Gospel to be heard by those whose hearts are hardened to it.* Pray for open doors - Colossians 4:3, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ…so we knock in order that the door would be opened to us.* Pray that words may be given us, that we would speak as we ought to about Jesus - Ephesians 6:19, for opening our mouth to boldly make known the mystery of the gospel as Paul prayed.* Pray for harvesters sent to the harvest field - Luke 10:2, for the harvest is great but there are few harvesters, so pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.* Pray saving faith be given - Ephesians 2:8, that by grace they would be saved through faith, and that not of themselves; it is the gift of God. We ask for the Good Gift of God be given.* Pray that God would grant them repentance - 2 Timothy 2:25-26, so that they may know the Truth and come to their senses. May this repentance lead to understanding the truth of the gospel so they escape the snare of the devil.This season, if we would pray and make widely known what we have seen and heard, then many-many more will marvel in our day. Make this Christmas be one in which those around us become “born again” with the realization of Jesus and the real reason He was born, that He is a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. How many would come to know the Lord this season? And to God be the glory, Amen! Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

Prayer Notes:* Psalm 107:32 - Let them exalt Him in the assembly of the people and praise Him in the council of the elders.* Psalm 111:1 - Hallelujah! I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly.* Psalm 34:9 - Fear the LORD, you His saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing.* Colossians 4: 2-4 - 2 Devote yourselves [persist] to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; 3 praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth [proclaim] the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; 4 that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.* Acts 14:27 - When they arrived, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them, and how He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.* 1 Corinthians 16: 9 - because a great door for effective work has opened to me, even though many oppose me.* Jeremiah 17:7-8 - 7 But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. 8 He is like a tree planted by the waters that sends out its roots toward the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes, and its leaves are always green. It does not worry in a year of drought, nor does it cease to produce fruit.* John 14:27 - eace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid.All Scripture from Berean Standard Bible Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

If we audited our prayers, what would they sound like? Back in my radio days, we’d tape ourselves on air. It was a scoped session of when our microphone was on, and we listened back to review. Then our boss or consultant would listen with us. These “air-checks” usually involved finding things we did wrong or needed to improve on.It was either humbling or encouraging (usually both), but necessary to help us get better. Athletes watch tape of their performance to do the same, public speakers watch videos of their speeches to see ways to improve.What would a review of our prayers reveal to us? I imagine we’d be pretty surprised to hear how often we pray from wrong desires.(James 4:1-3) Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? Conflict with others (and in ourselves) comes from desire – a wanting of something we do not have. Someone has what we covet (breaking the 10th Commandment) and yet we want so much we plot and scheme to win it, steal it, or take it by force.You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war.We are certainly at war within ourselves -- the lusts of the flesh and desires for pleasure are warring within us. Often we believe we will be satisfied when we get something we want. But coveting will inevitably lead to conflict. Why don’t we get what we desire?Yet you do not have because you do not ask, says James.You do not have. For all of our desiring, striving, and plotting, we do not have. Or what we do have doesn’t satisfy, and we want more. “The whole history of mankind shows the failure of evil lusting to obtain their object.” (Spurgeon)You do not ask. We want, but fail to go to the Father. Instead, we rely on means rather than prayer. We must remember God does not give unless we ask. And if we have only a little bit of God, likely it is because we have asked little.“Remember this text: The Lord says to his own Son, ‘Ask of me and I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.’ If the royal and divine Son of God cannot be exempted from the rule of asking that he may have, you and I cannot expect the rule to be relaxed in our favor. Why should it be?” (Spurgeon)This is how vital prayer is! We get nothing without praying and get everything by it.But when we do pray, we can ask with wrong motives.We may indeed ask Father, but James says You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.You do not receive. Believers ask God, but we don’t get because we ask with wrong motives. Asking always for things we covet is selfish praying. My child asks for a cookie, not because he is hungry for nutrition, but desires a treat.What do you ask? Something to make life a bit easier, a bit better, a bit less painful? Aren’t these what those in the world also strive for? Do you desire a bigger house, nicer car, more health, better looks, an easier time at work, more respect, love, peace, and so on? Is your asking really just to get ahead in the world, or at least keep up with the neighbors?“When a man so prays he asks God to be his servant, and gratify his desires; nay, worse than that, he wants God to join him in the service of his lusts. He will gratify his lusts, and God shall come and help him to do it. Such prayer is blasphemous, but a large quantity of it is offered, and it must be one of the most God-provoking things that heaven ever beholds.” (Spurgeon)Here’s the thing: We are not praying to get God to do our bidding – no, it is to get ourselves aligned rightly with His word, will and ways. If we ask amiss (or wrongly, with wrong motives in some versions) we only want what will give us pleasure, to spend it on our passions or waste it on our desires. This is similar to the squandering of the Prodigal son.What are we supposed do instead to pray aright?Listen to Jesus:If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. John 15:7 NKJVAnd whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 1 John 3:22 NKJVNow this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 1 John 5:14 NKJVIn short: we pray the Word.Praying isn’t just asking God for what we want or need. We seek to pray the will of God—for ourselves and His people. Using promises contained in His Word, we pray these back to God, asking Him to fulfill His own Word:That His kingdom come, and His will be done...that we be mature and standing firm in all the will of God...that we be alert, standing firm in the faith, being strong and doing all we do in love...that we be salt and light...that we love one another and serve one another...that we proclaim the mystery of the gospel, preach, teaching and making disciples...that we have knowledge of His will...that we know the word and keep His commandments, and so on.If ye prayed aright, all your proper wants would be supplied; the improper cravings which produce "wars and fightings" would then cease. (Fausset)No, we do not want to audit our prayers. We do want to make sure our prayers are not with wrong desires or wrong motives. We do this by praying the Word of God.When we do pray for earthly things, be certain it is asked subject to His will—not for merely our gain, but for His glory.I hope this helps your praying, it has mine, even though I don’t pray this way enough. Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

Many people use a framework when giving speeches or writing articles. This helps them remember what to say, like using a three-step process, an acronym, or alliteration. In sermons, you often hear the speaker say, The three points today are this, this, and this. I like using frameworks too, even during my prayer times. It doesn’t mean I’m stuck with just that framework, but it gives me a guide or roadmap.For experienced people of prayer, a framework might not be necessary. But for those new to praying or seeking guidance, having a framework is like having a map. It helps you know where you’re going and where you want to be. I enjoy starting with praise and thanksgiving, especially using the Psalms. With Scripture and the Holy Spirit guiding me, along with a framework, then I can focus my prayers better.So join me in the prayer cast. I’ll talk more about using a framework and even go through a prayer with one. At the end of the prayer time, I’ll share the framework I used and see if you recognized it.If you find the framework helpful, please share with a friend to help them. Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

Often on my heart and my lips is prayer for you as Subscribers prayer group members, one which comes from the very prayers of Paul in his letter to Ephesus:I ask that out of the riches of His glory He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Then you, being rooted and grounded in love, will have power, together with all the saints, to comprehend the length and width and height and depth of the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Says Charles Spurgeon:Alas, to a great many religious people the love of Jesus is not a solid substantial thing at all—it is a beautiful fiction, a sentimental belief, a formal theory, but to Paul it was a real, substantial, measurable fact.Even those who claim Christ can miss holy love. His is unfathomable, unsearchable, unending; it is unearned, undeserved, and unconditional. Jesus love is so great He came for us, took our place, and He is coming again for us. The apostle recognizes this, experienced it and prays we would know this love also.He had considered it this way, and that way, and the other way, and it was evidently real to him, whatever it might be to others. No one knows the love of Christ at all if he does not know it to be real, and no one has felt it in his soul at all unless it becomes so real as to constrain him and move him into actual activity.Knowing in our head Jesus loves us is one thing. It is an awareness, intellectual, an acknowledgement. But another thing entirely for this love to be real to to us, so real it flows out from us, influencing our actions toward others. We have a word which we sometimes use in a sense which I believe is not correct according to the dictionary. I mean the word “realize.” That word has been forced into the language of Christian experience, and can never be forced out again. We must realize, or make real to our hearts the love of Christ. That is just what I think the apostle did—he made real to himself the love of his Master and Lord.The way Paul lived, wrote and spoke was in pursuit of knowing and having this love of God real in his own heart and life. Not only this, he prayed for it and experienced it firsthand.It was not to him a surface theory, which might have breadth, but could not have depth. Or a mere narrow statement with length, but no breadth. It was a thing as firm and solid as anything in the world.The experience of a thing makes it more real to us. We can look at photos of a vacation destination, but that’s nothing like actually being there in person. The experience makes it more real, more tangible, more meaningful.It is true the love of Jesus is not material and earthly so as to be seen and handled, but it is even more substantial than if it were a thing to be seen, for the things which are seen are temporal, and the things which are not seen are eternal.Love is not love, as the world says, meaning that every love is somehow equal. God’s own love is not material as are things in this world, where we love those who love us. The love we have in Christ is that He laid down his life for us. This love changes us from who we were before Christ in us, to who we are to be after.To the carnal man the visible is real, and the invisible a mere dream. But to the spiritual man things are reversed, the visible is the shadow and the invisible the substance. May you be such people, dear friends, all of you! We can love Him because He first loved us, and when this love is made known to us, we comprehend it more and more in our inner being. It is more true and real than any other thing we can sense by touch or taste, by smell or sight or sound.So then, brothers and sisters in Christ, let us pray together for love as Paul did.Praying For LoveGod wants us:* firmly rooted and grounded in love* able to comprehend what is the breadth and length and height and depth* to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge* rooted—planted, firmly fixed* grounded—to be founded upon, a foundation* comprehending—understand, seize, possess* breadth, length, height, depth—immensity, without end* surpasses—experience that affection beyond what we can knowThis love is without measure or end and God wants us to know with certainty—from the depth of Christs sacrifice to the height of His glory, that His love is limitless.O God, make us to know this matchless love, and to live in the reality of it. Amen My personal prayer is to fall in love with the Savior who loves us. I will pray this for you. Will you pray this for me? Leave a comment or message me below. Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

The disciples seemed content that the Master would pray, often alone and early or even very late. But here Jesus finds them not with him in prayers, but asleep. He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What? Could you not watch with Me one hour? Matthew 26:40Aren’t many of us are also sleeping? Watching and Praying are actionsEver tried to hold a prayer meeting at your church? How many did you tell, and how many do attend? Ever asked someone to pray for you, and wonder if they really did? Ever tell someone you would pray for them, and did you actually do that?Prayer - now as then, is not a popular nor a favorite church ministry. Some don’t know how, or care it is a priority, or there is no prayer leader. Some would rather sing, others be deacons, and many are content to observe.But praying is not for mere spectators, rather we are to be actual participants. Watching a sporting event, or a cooking show is observing and not participating. When we play on the ball field, or get out the pots and pans that we are participating in sport or cooking.Biblical watching is not merely observing, it’s being alert, watchful, eyes open. It’s like the sheepdog ever alert over the flock for predators creeping in the dark. It’s also being aware of the Master’s return, even if at midnight. This is active watching, looking, as a sentinel on duty.The praying Savior admonished Peter as though praying was not an optional activity, but a necessity. What, would we miss an opportunity to pray with Jesus? He wants us to actually pray and not merely observe, or be content with letting others do all the praying.What Happens When We Do Not Pray?The next verse tells us: Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Though we may want to pray without ceasing, without prayer we enter into temptation. What is the temptation? Many things perhaps, but in the passages following we see that Jesus went to pray a second and then a third time, and again both times He found them sleeping. Instead of watching - which is to be alert and aware, like a sentinel on duty, we do the opposite and fall asleep! We certainly cannot watch and pray while sleeping. There are at least two reasons we are to do this:Mark 13:33 - Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. And in Luke 21:36 - Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.Prayer As DisciplineThe ministry of prayer is like other Christian disciplines (including Bible study, giving, fasting, etc) which require training and practice. When learning any new skill, activity or sport, we must be taught the basics, learn the terminology or movements - and then train with these over and over.As we devote time and attention to any discipline we get better and better. Ever observe a master craftsman at their chosen work? They make it look so easy, right? But it was many hours honing the basics again and again, mostly when no one else was noticing, that made them that great. These disciples (followers) of Jesus were being disciplined (trained) in the ministry of Jesus (including prayer). Let us also watch with Jesus and pray.Photo by Simon Infanger on Unsplash Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

We know prayer ought to be a daily priority of our Christian life, but which prayers might be a priority for us right now? Among the many prayers, petitions, requests, and supplications needed, here are three we can all focus on:* The salvation of unbelievers – pray for those who do not know the Lord Jesus Christ, that they might repent and believe the gospel; they would hear the good news, become aware they are sinners in need of the Savior, and seek the Lord for His mercy and grace to the forgiveness of sins.* The People of God – intercede for the household of faith, those who do believe - the pillar and buttress of truth. Pray that we be mature in the faith and stand firm in all the will of God.* The Government – ask on behalf of those in positions of authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Tim 2:1-4As we look around, we see our nations are not tranquil. And Believers we ought to pray regularly for the government, not just around elections. For any leader – elected, appointed or hired, there are decisions and dangers. We are asking for wise leaders who will seek guidance, and we are asking for their protection.In today’s PrayerPodcast let’s lift up those in authority from James 1:5, Proverbs 3:21, 1 Corinthians 16:13.Pray For The People Of God From The Word Of GodHere are four passages we are praying from this week (one passage per day):* Thursday - 1 Cor 1:4-8* Friday - 1 Cor 16:13* Saturday - 2 Cor 2:12* Sunday - Rom 15:5-7, 13Will you join me in praying these verses, and ask one person to join you?Image Credit Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

PrayerCast Show Notes:Acts 4:29-31A prayer for boldness in our speaking about to the Lord, and asking He show His power through us.Ephesians 3:16-19A prayer for spiritual strengthening through the Holy Spirit, rooted in God’s love, and for a deeper understanding of Christ’s love.Philippians 1:9-11A prayer for love to abound, increase in knowledge and discernment, and for believers to be filled with the fruit of righteousness.1 Peter 4: 7-9A prayer for being fervent in our love for one another in Christ.1 John 1:7A prayer for walking in the light of Christ, maintaining fellowship with other believers, and being cleansed from sin through Jesus’ sacrifice. Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

It is not a matter of time so much as a matter of heart; if you have the heart to pray, you will find the time. ~ C.H. SpurgeonIn the Bible, there were lots of prayer times, like:Before daylight - Jesus rose long before dawn, went to a solitary place, and prayed there (Mark 1:35).In the morning - The psalmist declared that God would hear his voice in the morning as he directed his prayer upward (Psalm 5:3). Morning prayer comes before the Lord (Psalm 88:13), and in the morning we can hear His lovingkindness as we trust in Him (Psalm 143:8). The prophet Isaiah reminded us that the Lord is our strength every morning and our salvation in times of trouble (Isaiah 33:2).In the afternoon - Peter and John went up to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer (Acts 3:1, approximately 3 pm).Night and day - God’s elect cry to Him both day and night (Luke 18:7). The widow who is truly alone fixes her hope on God and continues in prayers night and day (1 Timothy 5:5).All night - Jesus went to the mountain to pray and spent the entire night in prayer to God (Luke 6:12).Twice daily - The psalmist called for help by day and cried out in the night (Psalm 88:1).Thrice daily - Evening, morning, and at noon the complaint is uttered, and He hears our voice (Psalm 55:17). Daniel knelt three times a day to pray and give thanks, just as he had always done (Daniel 6:10).Before taking food - Jesus looked to heaven, gave thanks, and broke the bread before distributing it (Mark 6:41; Luke 22:19).After the supper - Following the Last Supper, Jesus lifted His eyes to heaven and prayed, asking the Father to glorify His Son (John 17:1).Apparently they all had the heart to pray and so made the time(s) to pray.When is the best time for us to pray?All. The. Time - We are called to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and to continue steadfastly in prayer (Romans 12:12).What does that mean, to “pray without ceasing”? That beautiful command involves two essential practices woven together like threads in a tapestry:First, the Anchor: Scheduled Sacred Time - Praying continually begins with establishing a regular daily time and place for personal, private prayer in secret to our Heavenly Father. This is our prayer closet, our appointed meeting place with God. Like Daniel who knelt three times daily, we need this anchored rhythm, a consistent when and where that roots our prayer life in discipline and devotion.Second, the Atmosphere: Spontaneous Spirit-led Moments - But praying continually doesn’t end when we leave the closet. It means cultivating a lifestyle of brief, spontaneous prayers woven throughout our day, while driving, waiting in line, meeting with someone, or talking on the phone. These are short prayers, quiet prayers of the heart: “Father, help that friend.” “Holy Spirit, come quickly.” “Lord Jesus, I need You.” These prayer-snippets become as natural and regular as blinking and breathing, changing ordinary moments into holy conversations.Think of it this way: scheduled prayer is like sitting down for a meal with a dear friend, while spontaneous prayer is like the pleasant text messages you exchange during the day. Both matter. Both deepen the relationship. The scheduled time is a deep, abiding connection; the spontaneous moments maintain an ongoing awareness of God’s presence in every corner of life.Another question: when do we not pray? Most of us at Epaphras Prays struggle, like many do, with outside distractions that intrude on times to pray. Whether work, family, or hobbies, we find it helpful to have a scheduled Time, a certain Place, and a helpful List, which is written about here.As seen above, prayer was a priority then, and should be now for all of us.What about you? What suggestions would you share that help you remain constant in prayer? Share a helpful idea in the comments: Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. … for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. Matthew 6:6, 8Today our lesson is from Andrew Murray, and emphasizes the importance of private prayer and provides insights into how Jesus taught His disciples to pray. He highlights the significance of having a secret place for prayer, where one can be alone with God. This secret place is where believers meet our heavenly Father and experience the light of His love and the assurance of His presence.During His Sermon on the Mount, our Lord tells the disciples God is not only King, but Father. Here we have His teaching us to pray. While Moses, David and the prophets prayed, it is Jesus who is our Teacher.And the first thing the Lord teaches His disciples is that they must have a secret place for prayer; everyone must have some solitary spot where he can be alone with his God.The Secret Place: Jesus teaches that everyone must have a solitary spot where they can be alone with their God. Meeting the Father: Three times Jesus uses the name of Father 1) pray to your Father, 2) your Father will reward you, and 3) You Father knows your needs.And so we are taught, at the very outset of our search after the secret of effectual prayer, to remember that it is in the inner chamber, where we are alone with the Father, that we shall learn to pray aright … your first thought must be: The Father is in secret, the Father waits me there.Faith in Secret Prayer: Secret prayer is not about the strength or fervency of our feelings but about the faith and confidence that God, as a loving Father, will respond to the prayers offered in secret.Finally, God Knows Your Needs: Christ assures believers that Father knows our needs even before we ask. In summary, this lesson underscores the value of private prayer as a means to connect with God as a loving Father, encourages childlike faith in prayer, and emphasizes the confidence that God knows and provides for our needs, reinforcing the importance of secret prayer as a vital part of the Christian’s spiritual life.And we pray in the podcast for you. If you’re reading this, especially as a Subscriber, we’re praying for you. So join me for a few minutes in that secret place and pray to Our Father.Image by Deborah Hudson from Pixabay Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

Today on the Epaphras Prays Prayer Cast, let’s talk about prayers for our spiritual growth and personal godliness. In Matthew 5:48, Jesus tells us to be perfect (mature, holy) like our heavenly Father. This echoes God’s words to Moses in Exodus, saying we are to be holy because the Lord our God is holy. This time our devotional prayers will focus on growing in maturity, holiness, and striving for perfection in Christ before His return. Let’s look at some Psalms that can guide us: * Psalm 39:1,* Psalm 43:3-4, * Psalm 65:4,* Psalm 86:11, * Psalm 90:12, * Psalm 131:2.For Further Praying Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

What is our confidence in praying to God? Why would I be assured of His hearing or answering? How does biblical praying work?I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we already possess what we have asked of Him.— 1 John 5:13-15 BSBUnderstanding Parrēsia (Confidence)Strong’s 3954: parrésia: freedom of speech, confidence; all out-spokenness, i.e. Frankness, bluntness, publicity; by implication, assurance.Thayer’s Greek Lexicon: 2. free and fearless confidence, cheerful courage, boldness, assurance.Topical Lexicon: Parrēsia denotes the unmistakable freedom to speak, act, and approach without fear—whether before people or before God.Biblical Examples of This ConfidenceHow the Lord Hears and AnswersAbiding in Christ Aligns Our Will with HisGod Gives What We NeedBiblical Examples of Faith-Filled PrayerJesus’s Assurance to UsWrapping upSo boldly speak freely in prayers, with confident assurance, that Jesus will hear us asking His promises and will grant the answers according to His will. That, brothers and sisters, give us great hope and great confidence to come to the throne of grace, knowing He hears and He answers. Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

This past weekend, I took a country drive past corn fields and wheat fields. Some already harvested, others underway. And down by the river, along a winding road, I encountered an apple orchard—an entire grove of trees that, row by row, had ripe red apples ready for picking.It reminded me of something E.M. Bounds wrote in his book The Possibilities of Prayer: the promises of God found in His Word are like fruit trees ready for picking. These promises, like fruit, are picked by prayer. Otherwise, this fruit lies dormant.Think of all the different things you can enjoy with apples. You can eat them fresh, slice them for apple pie, fry them as a topping for pancakes, or cook them into applesauce. My favorite is apple butter—putting apples into a crockpot with cinnamon, cloves, and brown sugar fills the house with a lovely aroma. God’s Word: An Orchard Full of PromisesSearching through God’s Word is much like walking through that orchard. His Word is full of promises ripe for the picking by praying and asking Him to do what He has promised to do. Though He has promised to do something, without our asking, He is under no obligation to simply do it for us.Pray these promises in the podcast:The Promise of Perfect PeaceIsaiah 26:3 - “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”Isaiah’s Promise of StrengthIsaiah 41:10, - “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”God Upholds Our StepsPsalm 37:23-24 - “The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.”The Promise of WisdomIn James 1:5, God promises to give wisdom: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”Peace That Guards Our HeartsIn Philippians 4:6-7, we’re told: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”And more promises* Provision: “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19* Love: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-39* Teaching: “He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.” Psalm 25:9* Answer Prayers: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7Picking the Ripest FruitE.M. Bounds writes: “Prayer goes by faith into the great fruit orchard of God’s exceedingly great and precious promises, and with hand and heart picks the ripest and richest fruit.”The great promises found in Scripture find their fulfillment through prayer. As Spurgeon said:“Every promise of Scripture is a writing of God which may be pleaded before Him with this reasonable request: Do as Thou hast said. Our heavenly Father will not break His word to His own children. ‘Remember the word unto Thy servant, on which Thou hast caused me to hope’ is most prevalent pleading. It is a double argument—it is Thy word, wilt Thou not keep it? Why hast Thou spoken of it if Thou wilt not make it good? Thou hast caused me to hope in it, wilt Thou disappoint the hope which Thou hast Thyself begotten in me?”When we go before the throne of grace and ask what He has promised, we can expect our Lord to answer exactly as He has promised. Let us go to our loving Heavenly Father and pick the fruit of His promises through prayer. Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

Who of us has all wisdom? Or who needs more wisdom? None of us and all of us.How do we do that?Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:5 We can get all the knowledge we want, from books, encyclopedias, an internet search, or AI. But what about wisdom? That comes more often by experience. And what of Godly wisdom, that which from above and not from other people? This comes only from God, by His word and by His Spirit. By asking.Seek wisdom in prayer.James tells us to ask for this wisdom. And so we ask in prayer for God to give us wisdom. His wisdom, that which is from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. James 3:17David sought this wisdom, this leading Show me Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; all day long I wait for You. He knew The LORD confides in those who fear Him, and reveals His covenant to them. (Psalm 25:4-5, 14)And even Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. (Luke 2:52)* Ask that He may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in our knowledge of Him. (Ephesians 3:17). * Ask that you God fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:9-10)Seek wisdom in the Bible.This Godly wisdom comes from His word, that is, the Bible, by reading and studying it; by prayer and meditation on it; by hiding it in your heart and by it abiding in us. The Word of God helps us know who God is and what He has said.We need to know the Word.Seek wisdom by the Spirit.This wisdom comes also from His Spirit, who, Jesus says, will teach you all things. (John 14:26). We need to walk in step with the Holy Spirit. He will not be given to those who live apart from Him, or in rebellion to Him. The Spirit is who will guide us into all truth (John 16:13).O, Father, grant to us insight into Your Word, and Will and Ways. Fill us with Godly wisdom, spiritual insight, knowledge of the holy, understanding of the Word, and discernment to know what is best, according to Your Truth.We need wisdom from Almighty God to navigate through our course in this world. This isn’t about smarts, or intelligence, but knowing something from God himself. It may be how to handle a difficult circumstance, or fix a problem at work, or handle a confrontational person. Or, it may be to lead your congregation away from snares of false teaching.Without this Godly wisdom, we operate with only worldly wisdom, which is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. (James 3:16). And the wisdom of man is foolishness to God (1 Corinthians 3:19).Pray Proverbs 2:2-5 - Lord, you say if we incline our ear to wisdom and direct our heart to understanding, if we truly call out to insight and lift our voice to understanding, and if we seek it like silver and search it out like hidden treasure, then, You say we will discern the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God. We make this our request today and every day, for Jesus sake, Amen.So, Lord, teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:12) Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

Today on the prayer cast, I want to focus on the letters from the Apostle Peter. These letters contain great and precious promises and important instructions. We’ll use them to guide our prayers, praises, and petitions to God for His church, the believers, and the household of faith.We will pray for grace, peace, and mercy. We will offer blessings and thanksgiving. We will ask for love, gifts, and the ability to serve. We will seek strength and restoration. We will pray for alertness and being on guard.There are many things we can pray for, inspired by Peter’s prayers, for God’s people according to His Word. I invite you to join us on the prayer cast.* 1 Peter 1:1-5* 1 Peter 2:17* 1 Peter 3:21 * 1 Peter 4: 7-9, 14, 16* 1 Peter 5: 7-11* 2 Peter 1: 2-4* 2 Peter 3: 17, 18 Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

Right now, it appears there's a chance for us to share the good news of the gospel. Today, I want to pray for God's word to spread quickly across our land and be honored. Let's pray for the seeds of faith to find good soil, for workers to be sent out to gather the harvest, and for people to be ready to listen and see. I also want to pray that we can speak boldly about the gospel's mystery through Christ.After hard times, many people who didn't believe before are now curious about the Bible, church, and Jesus. I know any number of ministers who believe this is a special time. More people are buying Bibles and attending church services. They're asking questions now because their hearts are more open than they were a short time ago.God has opened a door for us, and we have an opportunity. Let's pray for this door to stay open so God's word can spread everywhere and bring glory. We hope many will come to believe. Let's ask the Lord of the harvest for help. The time is right, and the harvest is ready. Let's pray together to bring people into God's kingdom. Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

Something has shifted. Like a wind coming ‘round from the east to the north, bringing with it a chill, and a foul air.Recent events of tragedy and loss—from the murder of an innocent young woman on a bus, followed by the assassination of a young man speaking at a college campus event, both during our remembrance of the events of 9/11 on its 24th anniversary.These events are horrible, tragic and sad, leaving us bewildered, shaken, angry. Because, along with loss, something deep seems to have broken, in our culture. What once was a perception of civility, peace and safety, was merely a fragile veneer. The darkness and evil that was previously held at bay is now exposed for what it is, on full display in real time before our eyes.It’s always been there, just better hidden.Christianity has always been under attack. Its ideas, its values, its traditions have always had opponents. But it appears (again) that we have reached a point where it is not only Christianity and the Church that are being opposed — it is Christians themselves that are being physically attacked.People of God are those who are outspoken about their faith, living in the light of the Lord, according to the Word of God—in direct opposition to the current culture, modern society, and living in the world but are not of the world. These are who the enemy of our souls seeks to persecute.God’s people who live this way are under attack from evil, from those who hate God, hate his church and hate his people. I’m thinking of the thousands around the world martyred for our faith, many this past year, whose names are unknown to us, but not to God. They show the rest of us what it means to take a stand in naming Jesus as our Lord, not denying faith in Him.And so we, just like the ancients we read about in Scripture, living under the sovereign will of our Almighty God, should also cry out as they did,for protections and deliverance from evil for those who belong to Jesus.Jesus tell us how to pray: deliver us from evil,David Prayed many times for deliverance.Pray for protection.May the Lord keep us under the shadow of his wings.But we must also take a stand.Pray for thousands of new converts.So pray for the salvation of lost souls trapped in sins and darkness, in bondage to the devil.Ask that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ (Colossians 4:2). Pray…that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored (2 Thessalonians 3:1) and may the word of God spread rapidly (Acts 6:7).Pray the Lord open hearts as He did a certain woman named Lydia (Acts 16:14) to heed the things spoken by Paul.Pray all the Lord’s servants be kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. (2 Timothy 2:24-26)Or else pray for the Lord’s holy judgementon His enemies, those who deny, defy, plot, scheme, and serve the devil and his demons.ConclusionThe Lord has often used someone who stands in the gap, as a watchman on the wall, standing before is holy throne asking for His holy help, crying to Him for divine intervention for His people.This is where we are today. Millions of believers around the world are living, working, serving, preaching, teaching—and being persecuted for their faith. If you’re reading this, you are among those called to intercede for all the others.Not all will pray, but we can pray for them and for one another. Jesus says to watch and pray, so I pray we stay alert and pray. And I pray for more who will pray — more intercessors, brothers and sisters who heed the warnings, take seriously the call, and take a stand in the prayer closet for those who take a stand on the front lines. Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

Are we in persistent prayer?Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer. Romans 12:12 Most likely we are not as we ought!Christian, we need to be praying, not just in turmoil, emergency or crisis, but in all circumstances, situations, and issues — good and not, and for all others about us. Only the Lord can do what only he can do, and only prayer brings our Lord into the situation to do it. Yes, he uses fallible people (like me!) to accomplish His work, but we must be in the business of asking Him to. So let’s pray.Show Notes:Pray for the people of God, and pray for those who do not know God:* Remember the Lord* Return to the Father’s house* Repent for our sins* Restore us again* Redeem the ungodly* Rebuke enemies of Your people* Righteous in the landsAlso on Spotify: Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

The dreaded orange cones came into view, signaling road work ahead. On a route I frequently travel, this three-mile stretch of highway is undergoing repairs: one lane, reduced speed, men working.Heavy equipment operates just beyond the cones, moving dirt, dumping rock, burying pipes, and rebuilding the roadbed. Bulldozers grade the earth, front loaders shift massive loads, trench diggers, and even a crane—all are busy under the direction of men in hardhats. Skid steers and pickup trucks buzz between them while the construction crew's office runs on a generator.We stop for a flagman, and I watch a tanker truck labeled FUEL lumber past. All this equipment needs fuel, probably daily, I think. This truck goes to a depot to bring back the supply that keeps the tractors moving. I imagine its driver is busy from dawn to dusk. My mind begins to drift, following that train of thought.A honk jolts me to attention; we're moving again. I pass the flagman in his bright yellow vest and offer a slight wave.Slowly, steadily, progress is made, and the road is rebuilt. Soon, hopefully not too long from now, the cones will vanish, all lanes will open, and we will marvel at the smooth new surface.And you know what occurred to me?Road construction is a lot like the Church. It's being built into something for God's glory. Ministries, acting like heavy machinery, serve the congregation. Preachers, worship leaders, and youth staff are like excavators and bulldozers which clear the way. Those who print bulletins, run the soundboard, or direct parking are like the essential support vehicles. Hospital and prison ministry, weddings, funeral services—each is a vital part of the local body of faith.Like highway workers, all contribute to building God's kingdom on Earth. Maybe you're a dump truck, a cement mixer, or simply an orange cone. Each part is necessary, but I believe the most vital vehicle for that crew is that FUEL truck.This truck doesn't dig, dump, or pave. Instead, it retrieves the fuel essential for all the other equipment to function. Now, the truck isn't the power—it obtains the power — the fuel, supplies it, and distributes it to the heavy machinery.Prayer is a lot like that. Prayer retreats to the closet to seek the Spirit (who is the power) and, through intercession, supplies the ministries that serve the body and build the church.Maybe you are a FUEL truck for your congregation?Most people will drive right by without even a glance. But the Lord sees. He sees you coming to the depot for a daily supply of fuel. He fills you and you intercede for divine power to be supplied to all the equipment of ministry.You see, without that truck, all the fancy heavy road construction machinery grinds to a halt. It is the same in the church without the ministry of intercession.So my friends: Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete. (John 16:24) Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

I want to introduce some of the Scriptures we use regularly to intercede for the people of God. Some call these the Apostolic Prayers, because they were written in the Epistles (letters from the Apostles like John, Peter and Paul) to the various assemblies they wrote to.Within these letters were what he was praying for on their behalf. These are written for us to give us insight to what is the will of our Heavenly Father for His dear children. If Paul was asking them, and the Spirit preserved them, then we may pray them--and rest assured God is answering them, according to His perfect plan.I invite you to pray along with us with these four passages. We make slight modifications in the text to personalize these as prayers of our own to the Lord God as we approach His throne to ask on behalf of our own fellowship.Praying the passages alone is a complete prayer. However, we also use these as both a starting place and a landing place. This works especially well in a small group. Listen to a sample prayer below.* Romans 15:5-7 RSV* Romans 15:13* 1 Corinthians 1:4-8* 1 Corinthians 16:13-14My recommendation starting out is to go through one verse each day, in this way you can slow down and be thorough. There is no need to speed along and “get more verses in,” better to take time going through the passage, pausing along the way and allowing the Spirit to lead. One part of the verse may be emphasized over others one time, and something else on another day.Listen on SpotifySubscribe to: Epaphras Prays | For The People of God from the Word of God. This is a newsletter about personal and intercessory praying. It helps more people learn to pray more. Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

When suffering strikes or joy overflows, our immediate response reveals the condition of our hearts. James 5:13 gives us clear direction: "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise." Yet how often do we turn to prayer last instead of first? This Biblical wisdom challenges us to examine whether we're truly praying for ourselves in the way our Lord intends—not just for comfort, but for transformation.Prayer should be our first response, not our last resort.Prayer in suffering transforms us beyond mere comfort. The Lord is often after something more than just our personal comfort.Biblical examples show the power of fervent, persistent prayer. God answered both prayers, demonstrating His faithfulness to those who pray persistently.Cheerfulness demands grateful praise, not silent enjoyment. Proper gratitude transforms our joy into worship that honors the Almighty.In short, true prayer for ourselves moves beyond selfish requests to seek the Spirit’s transforming work in our hearts, creating souls that trust Him in suffering and praise Him in blessing.Psalm 30 captures both sides of James 5:13 - prayer in suffering and praise in cheerfulness."You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. LORD my God, I will praise you forever." (Psalm 30:11-12)So, Prayer and Praise—the twin pillars of a heart properly positioned before God in good times or suffering times. Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

When we read the scriptures, especially the New Testament, it's clear that prayers are focused on God's people. If you look at Paul's letters, you'll see he primarily and exclusively prayed for the church. Epaphras also labored in prayers for his congregation. Jesus prayed all the time and is said to still pray through His followers today. A church's life is closely linked to its prayer life. In Revelation, prayers are shown as powerful and lasting, those are the golden bowls of incense filled with the prayers of saints. The New Testament teaches us to rely on our Lord and encourages constant prayer, especially for success in ministry work. But many believers go hours or days without praying, even though it's so important.Prayer is crucial for the growth of God's kingdom. Ignoring it can slow down our own spiritual growth, and slow the Spirit’s work on earth. Praying brings His work into the situation.I believe if the church wakes up to its duty and uses faith to claim Christ's promises through prayer, amazing changes will happen. So, let's bow our heads and pray to our Heavenly Father for God's people. If you would like to add your prayer to ours You Might Also Like Subscribe to: Epaphras Prays | For The People of God from the Word of God. This is a newsletter about personal and intercessory praying. It helps more people learn to pray more. Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

Have you ever picked up a book you’ve read before, looked though it again, and thought, “I’d almost forgotten this!”The reminder of something is even more encouraging than the original learning of it. For me, that’s what reading E. M. Bounds on prayer is like. It’s drinking from a mountain spring that never runs dry.Thumbing through the chapter “Prayer Fills Mans Poverty With God’s Riches” I’ve made some notes outlined here. I pray you are also encouraged.The Bible clearly teaches that prayer is meant to be answered by God; that God, as Father, gives to us His children what and when we ask.Prayer is the basis of relationship of Father and Son. And prayer is the condition of proclaiming the Gospel, defeating the darkness and bringing the Light.This is basic truth evident through the Testaments, but now ignored by many, and also under attack. We act like we pray, but just for show or pretense or obligation.You see: prayer is real work; praying is vital work.Look to Jesus who himself is the illustration, definition, and demonstration of praying.Paul says prayer is watchfulness and perseverance. Believers are to be alert, vigilant, and steadfast.Bounds: Prayer is the highest intelligence, the profoundest wisdom, the most vital, joyous, efficacious, and powerful of all vocations.Have nothing to do with dull, lifeless praying — that is mere routine. Casual, flippant praying is useless. Take serious the chief business that is praying, being skillful and adept like master-craftsman in the great work and high art of prayer.Let us be so in the habit of prayer, so devoted to prayer, so filled with its rich spices, so ardent by it’s holy flame, that all heaven and earth will be perfumed by its aroma, and nations will be blest by our prayers. E. M. BoundsSo remember these three things:Sincere supplication moves the heart of God, serious seeking requires our whole being, and steadfast service through prayer transforms both us and our world. Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe

Many are blessed to have once heard the sermons in person from C. H. Spurgeon, saying it was memorable to listen when he preached. In the Introduction to a collection of Pulpit Prayers, Dinsdale Young writes, “It was often even more memorable to hear him pray.” Spurgeon was renowned not only for his powerful preaching, but also for the depth and passion of his public prayers. Spurgeon, says Young, lived and moved in the spiritual world, so his prayers were the natural effusion of a consecrated personality, not mere literary preparation.Young emphasizes the biblical nature of Spurgeon's prayers, which were rich with enduring wealth. He commends the prayers as ideals of how men ought to pray, and believes they will be invaluable for ministers contemplating their own congregational prayers, as well as for personal devotional reading by all Christians.To that end, now we pray as Spurgeon did withPrayer 17 – To Be Like ChristBLESSED art Thou, O God, teach us Thy statutes! Because Thou art the infinitely blessed One, Thou canst impart blessing, and Thou art infinitely willing to do so, and therefore do we approach Thee with great confidence, through Jesus Christ Thy Son, whom Thou hast made blessed forevermore.Oh! hear Thou the voice of Thy servants this day and according to Thine infinite love and wisdom answer Thou us, according to Thy riches in glory, by Christ Jesus.First we would confess before Thee, O God, the sin we have committed, mourning over it. Touch each one’s heart now with tenderness that everyone of us may lament that Thou shouldst even have a few things against us, if they be but few, for in the great love of our blessed Master He said to His churches, “Nevertheless, I have a few things against Thee.” O Lord, if Thou hast so kept us by Thy grace that there have been but a few things against us, yet help us to bewail them much. O, Infinite Love, can we sin against Thee at all? How debased is our nature then! Forgive, sweet Savior, forgive sins against Thy love and blood, against Thy wounds and death, and give us Thy Spirit, O Savior, more fully, that we may live Thy life while we are here among the sons of men, for as Thou art, even so also are we in this world, and we wish the parallel to become more close and perfect every day!Forgive those who have never felt the guilt of sin, who are living in it, who are carnally minded, who are therefore dead. O, quicken by Thy divine Spirit. Take away the pleasure which they feel in sin. Deliver them from being the bond slaves of it. Alas! we know the sorrow of sometimes being captured by it, but still we are not yet slaves. The Spirit, the life of God, in Jesus Christ, hath made us free from the law of sin and death. O, deliver others. Bring them up out of the horrible pit of sin. Deliver them from the death of their natures and save them by the Spirit of the living God, and apply the precious blood of Jesus to their hearts and consciences.And, Lord, hear us who are Thy children, in whom the Spirit beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. Hear us while we bring before Thee our daily struggles. Blessed be Thy name, there are some sins which Thou hast helped us to overcome and now they are trodden beneath our feet with many a tear that we ever should have been in bondage to them. And O! there are rebellions within our nature still. We think that we are getting holy and behold we discover that we are under the power of pride, that we are self-conceited about ourselves. Lord help us to master pride.And then when we try to be humble before Thee, we find ourselves falling into inaction and supineness. Lord, slay sloth within us and never let us find a pillow in the doctrines of grace for ease while yet a single sin remains. Besides, great God, the raging lusts of the flesh will sometimes pounce upon us like wild beasts. Help us to be very watchful lest by any means we be torn and rent by them. O keep us, we beseech Thee, Lord, for without Thy keeping we cannot keep ourselves.Alas! we are even sometimes subject to unbelief. If trials come which we expected not or if the body grows faint, how liable we are to begin to doubt the faithful promise and so to grieve the Holy Spirit. Lord, we cannot bear this. We cannot bear this. It is not enough for us that our garments are clean and that we walk uprightly before men. We long to walk before Thee in such a way that there will be nothing to grieve Thy Spirit, nothing to vex the tender love of our Beloved. O, come, divine Spirit, and exercise Thy cleansing power upon it according to Thy promise, “I will cleanse Thy blood which I have not cleansed, saith the Lord, that dwelleth in Zion.”O that everything might help us towards purity, for we crave after it. We mind the things of the Spirit and there is groaning within us to be utterly delivered from the things of the flesh, that we may in spirit, soul, and body, be a cleansed temple fit for the indwelling of the Holy One of Israel. Lord help us, we pray Thee, in our daily life, to be as Christ was. If we are men of sorrows, may there be that luster about our sorrow which there was about His in patience and holy submission to the divine law. If we are men of activity, may our activity be like His, for He “went about doing good.” May we seek in all ways the good of our fellow-men and the glory of our God. We wish that the zeal of Thine house would eat us up, that we should be full of sacred warmth, that our lips were touched with the live coal so that there be fire in us perpetually flaming and burning, and ourselves a living sacrifice unto God.Bless us, we pray Thee, as to our example and influence. May it always be of a salutary kind. May there be sweetness and light about us which all must be obliged to perceive. Not for our honor would we crave this, but that our light may so shine before men that they may “see our good works and glorify our Father which is in heaven.” The Lord grant us this!We beseech Thee, bless the unconverted among us. Bring them in, dear Savior, bring them in. Help the living among us to compel them to come in that Thy house may be filled. May something of a sacred compulsion be used that they may not be left outside to starve in the highways and hedges, but be brought in to the Gospel feast.The Lord bless our country at this time. Wilt Thou be gracious unto those who have the helm of affairs that in the midst of great difficulty, they may be wisely and graciously directed. God bless the Sovereign with every mercy and let all that are in authority share the divine favor. Bless other countries, too, for whom we do most earnestly pray, especially for our brethren in Christ across the Atlantic, blessing and praising Thee that we have so many there that are not only of our own kin by nationality, but also kin in Christ. God bless them and those in the Southern seas. The Lord bless the Church of Christ there, nor do Thou fail to remember the struggling ones on the continent of Europe and all the missionaries that are laboring in the foreign field.O, Savior, let Thy kingdom come. When will this earth be delivered from the incubus of superstition and of infidelity? O that Thou wouldst hear creation’s groans and come quickly. O Thou great Deliverer, joy of the earth art Thou, the expected of the tribes of Israel still. Come, we beseech Thee, Thou absent love, Thou dear unknown, Thou fairest of ten thousand fair. Come a second time to earth and to the sons of men and specially to Thy Bride, the Church. Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.More Spurgeon Prayers You Might LikeSubscribe to: Epaphras Prays | For The People of God from the Word of God. This is a newsletter about personal and intercessory praying. It helps more people learn to pray more. Get full access to Epaphras Prays at epaphrasprays.substack.com/subscribe