06-07-2021, 06:15 AM
RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
MONDAY 7TH JUNE.
STRIVING IN PRAYER
Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers… (Colossians 4:12).
The phrase translated “laboring fervently” in the scripture above is “agōnizomai” (Greek), and it doesn’t translate into mere labouring; it means to strive. In fact, the first synonym is “to fight”; it also means to struggle or contend with an adversary. The same word is what we have in 1 Timothy 6:12 which says, “Fight the good fight….”
Now, Paul, by the Spirit, tells the Christians in the church in Colossae that Epaphras was always “fighting” for them in prayers. He was contending with satanic forces in their behalf. That’s part of what you do in interceding for others. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 says, “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” Here, we see why we must strive in prayer for the souls of men.
Perhaps you have family members and loved ones, friends, colleagues and neighbours you’ve been witnessing to and they’ve refused to heed the call of salvation; God’s Word shows what the real problem is: Satan—the “god of this world”—has blinded their minds! For such people, you must contend for their souls in prayer; you “agonize” in intercession for them. You declare, “In the Name of the Lord Jesus, you evil spirit of darkness that has blinded their minds, I break your influence over them!”
But you see, you don’t stop there; you continue in intercession; it’s called prevailing in prayer. You travail in prayer over their minds, that their hearts be opened to the Lord, and be guided to the Word of God, in the Name of Jesus. You pray that the light of the glorious Gospel shines in their hearts, and they embrace the grace of God for their salvation; the presence of God mantles their hearts and God’s Word prevails in their lives. Hallelujah!
Pray like this for your friends or family members who aren’t yet born again, and you’ll be amazed at the result. Praise God!
PRAYER
Blessed Lord, I pray that the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ would shine in the hearts of many today who are yet to receive salvation, turning them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, in the Name of the Lord Jesus. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY
Colossians 4:12 GNB; 1 Timothy 2:1-4; Galatians 4:19 TPT
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
John 20:19-31 & 1 Chronicles 23-25
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Mark 15:25-32 & Deuteronomy 5
#TALKINGSESSION
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for the Gospel of Christ that has blessed and enriched me. Thank You for choosing me before the foundation of the world that I should be holy, blameless, and accepted in Your presence, according to the good pleasure of Your will.
I function in the consciousness and boldness that I am justified and have peace with You, enjoying an indissoluble oneness with You, to the praise and glory of Your grace. I thank You for the efficacy of Your Word. As I meditate on it today, my faith is built up.
Thank You Lord for my heart is filled with goodness because of Your Word in me. As occasion demands, I bring forth good things from my spirit to bless my world. I am in Christ; irrespective of the perils and tribulations in the world,
I am shielded and protected. I am like a tree planted by the waters, that spreads out her roots by the river. I do not know when the heat comes. God’s blessing brings wealth, with no painful toil for it; therefore, I refuse to struggle in life, because I am in Your rest. I am prosperous and successful in every good work.
I walk in the prearranged paths which the Father has made ready for me before the foundations of the world. I am guided by the Spirit to walk in wisdom and understanding, filled with the thoughts of righteousness. I’m energized for the work of the Kingdom.
I remain undaunted, unmovable, and always joyful for the work ahead. I take advantage of the Word and the blessings of the Spirit, through which I’m trained, strengthened, and instructed for a continuous life of victory, success, promotion, and greatness, in Jesus’ Name. Amen!
God bless you
MONDAY 7TH JUNE.
STRIVING IN PRAYER
Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers… (Colossians 4:12).
The phrase translated “laboring fervently” in the scripture above is “agōnizomai” (Greek), and it doesn’t translate into mere labouring; it means to strive. In fact, the first synonym is “to fight”; it also means to struggle or contend with an adversary. The same word is what we have in 1 Timothy 6:12 which says, “Fight the good fight….”
Now, Paul, by the Spirit, tells the Christians in the church in Colossae that Epaphras was always “fighting” for them in prayers. He was contending with satanic forces in their behalf. That’s part of what you do in interceding for others. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 says, “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” Here, we see why we must strive in prayer for the souls of men.
Perhaps you have family members and loved ones, friends, colleagues and neighbours you’ve been witnessing to and they’ve refused to heed the call of salvation; God’s Word shows what the real problem is: Satan—the “god of this world”—has blinded their minds! For such people, you must contend for their souls in prayer; you “agonize” in intercession for them. You declare, “In the Name of the Lord Jesus, you evil spirit of darkness that has blinded their minds, I break your influence over them!”
But you see, you don’t stop there; you continue in intercession; it’s called prevailing in prayer. You travail in prayer over their minds, that their hearts be opened to the Lord, and be guided to the Word of God, in the Name of Jesus. You pray that the light of the glorious Gospel shines in their hearts, and they embrace the grace of God for their salvation; the presence of God mantles their hearts and God’s Word prevails in their lives. Hallelujah!
Pray like this for your friends or family members who aren’t yet born again, and you’ll be amazed at the result. Praise God!
PRAYER
Blessed Lord, I pray that the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ would shine in the hearts of many today who are yet to receive salvation, turning them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, in the Name of the Lord Jesus. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY
Colossians 4:12 GNB; 1 Timothy 2:1-4; Galatians 4:19 TPT
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
John 20:19-31 & 1 Chronicles 23-25
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Mark 15:25-32 & Deuteronomy 5
#TALKINGSESSION
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for the Gospel of Christ that has blessed and enriched me. Thank You for choosing me before the foundation of the world that I should be holy, blameless, and accepted in Your presence, according to the good pleasure of Your will.
I function in the consciousness and boldness that I am justified and have peace with You, enjoying an indissoluble oneness with You, to the praise and glory of Your grace. I thank You for the efficacy of Your Word. As I meditate on it today, my faith is built up.
Thank You Lord for my heart is filled with goodness because of Your Word in me. As occasion demands, I bring forth good things from my spirit to bless my world. I am in Christ; irrespective of the perils and tribulations in the world,
I am shielded and protected. I am like a tree planted by the waters, that spreads out her roots by the river. I do not know when the heat comes. God’s blessing brings wealth, with no painful toil for it; therefore, I refuse to struggle in life, because I am in Your rest. I am prosperous and successful in every good work.
I walk in the prearranged paths which the Father has made ready for me before the foundations of the world. I am guided by the Spirit to walk in wisdom and understanding, filled with the thoughts of righteousness. I’m energized for the work of the Kingdom.
I remain undaunted, unmovable, and always joyful for the work ahead. I take advantage of the Word and the blessings of the Spirit, through which I’m trained, strengthened, and instructed for a continuous life of victory, success, promotion, and greatness, in Jesus’ Name. Amen!
God bless you