We find many heroes and heroines in the Bible.  Perhaps one of the most forgotten of those is a man named, Epaphras.  In his letter to the Colossian Christians, the Apostle Paul told us this about Ephaphras:  Epaphras...always prays for you that you will grow to be spiritually mature.  Wow!  I would like to say, "There's a man after my own heart!" But to be honest, prayer is hard for me.  It's easier for me to study God's word, or write a message, or visit someone in the hospital or in prison, or even walk up to a stranger and start a conversation about God than it is to invest time in prayer.

Don't get me wrong--I believe in prayer.  I know that prayer is not a substitute for action, but an action for which there's no subject, and yet I'm not a naturally prayerful and reflective person.  My best prayer times have been while running or swimming.  My body needs to be occupied in order for my mind and heart to turn to God--or at least that's how I pray best.  Epaphras, on the other hand ALWAYS prayed for the folks in Collossae, that they would grow to be spiritually mature.  Epahpras is one of my heroes.  I've known many such folks who are alive today.  They pray naturally.  They pray effectively.  They pray often if not always.  They're my heroes.  For the rest of us, prayer is like any important aspect of our lives--we must commit to praying, especially praying for others growth, because we will probably pray for our own needs, even the needs of others.  We'll probably pray and praise God, but it won't be the first thing on our list to pray for other's growth.

Why not take time right now to pray for someone you know to grow in their walk with Jesus.  It could be your spouse, or your children, or your pastor!  It could be a coworker, or a classmate at school, or a friend from your LIFE group. Just pray!

Let's pray:  Heavenly Father, thank You for all Your blessings in our lives!  Fill us with Your Holy Spirit that we may have the power to pray for other's growth.  Make us people of prayer that our lives will matter for Your Kingdom.  This we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.