“He is always wrestling in prayer for you.”
I am meeting with "Praying Parents" this morning, a group from Spanish River Christian School, who exemplify the message of this post. I actually wrote these words a few years ago. I re-post it in their honor and in honor of all who wrestle in prayer.
You don't want a meeting with The Undertaker.
I am not referring to the dealer in death at the local funeral home (although you don't want a meeting with him either). I am talking about the six-foot ten-inch, 328 pound pro wrestler who hails from Death Valley. The Undertaker is a seven-time World Champion.
I am not a pro wrestling fan. In my book pro wrestlers have been denied Oscar statuettes far too long. They are, however, serious athletes! I wouldn't want the guy whose patented finishing move is known as the "Last Ride Power Bomb" to land on my bag of bones. There would be no need for a 10-count.
The Undertaker has tangled with the likes of Stone Cold Steve Austin, Crash, the Godfather, Hollywood Hulk Hogan, the Rock, Rhyno, and the Hurricane. That's a tough bunch. But if I had to take a tag-team partner for the match called life, give me Calloused Knees Charlie.
Calloused Knees Charlie, a.k.a. Epaphras, doesn't have twenty-inch biceps and a tree-trunk neck, but the guy knows how to wrestle in the arena that counts.
Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. Colossians 4:12-13 NIV
Do you have an Epaphras in your corner? I do. My Epaphras is my friend, Andy who signs his e-mails, "I'm praying for you." It is Jimmy, who has prayed for me every day for years and years. It is Riney, my prayer partner, who meets me every other Tuesday morning to lift up our needs. It is John, who reminds me often that he is praying for me daily. And it is Shannan, my wonderful wife, who is always bringing my needs to God.
I know all too well these people and many more like them are the reason I am still standing at the end of the day.
It is great to have an Epaphras, but here is a bigger question:
“Are you an Epaphras?”
Are you hitting your knees for your family, your government, your child's teacher, your pastor, your friends, and for that matter . . . even your enemies? You can do it. You can step into the ring and wrestle in prayer over a child's temper, a tough test, a temptation, a sickness, a depression, a wayward friend, or any other opposing challenge.
You don't have to invent crazy new maneuvers to pray. God is not looking for the Flying Folding Hands or the Holy Heaven Holler. He simply wants us to take a lesson from Calloused Knees Charlie:
“Come before God, drop to our knees, and call on His name.”
Today, thank God for your Epaphras. Then step into the ring and get wrestling in prayer for someone you know!