In Colossians 1:1-14, Paul assures the Christians there that ‘since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you.’ (Col 1:9) Epaphras was from that church and was working with Paul, and through this connection, Paul prayed for them personally. Giving someone this gift of prayer involves time, the most precious thing we have.
Time is often wasted, but time spent in prayer is never wasted. We may not always see concrete, visible evidence of this, but God reminds us that our labour in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Cor 15:58) God calls us all to prayer, even for those we do not personally know. Praying for other Christians is a privilege, a part of being the church universal. We are called to pray together and for a variety of different things, such as:
• the church congregation, services, development and growth (including ministries to reach others such as ‘Mindful Moments’, coffee mornings and the Parent & Toddler group)
• the ‘Compassion’ children we support (Bedline in Haiti, Innocent in Uganda and Amshika in India)
• our own needs and those of our families
• other local churches
• the wider church
In this new year, will you commit your most precious possession (time) to this most precious ministry (prayer)?