Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Colossians 4:10-13.

“Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings;  and also Barnabas’s cousin Mark (about whom you received instructions;  if he comes to you, welcome him);  and also Jesus who is called Justus;  these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me.  Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.  For I testify for him that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis.”  Colossians 4:10-13. 

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We tend to pray for earthly things, and it is good to pray for such things as physical healing, finances, success at work, safe travels etc.

But, today’s Scripture reminds us to also pray for spiritual things.  Paul commends Epaphras as “… always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.”  Verse 12.

Elsewhere in the same book of Colossians, we read that the Colossians had heard about the gospel from Epaphras:  “just as you learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, and he also informed us of your love in the Spirit.”  Colossians 1:7-8.   

Consider Paul’s following prayer for the spiritual condition of the Colossians.  

May we also read this prayer as a prayer for us today and believe and be delighted that this prayer for spiritual things will be granted for us too according to the will of God.

“For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;  strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience;  joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.”  Colossians 1:9-12.