To labor in prayer means to engage in a diligent and dedicated effort to seek God’s presence and intervention through prayer. It is not simply going through the motions or reciting memorized words, but rather an intentional and heartfelt pursuit of communion with God.
When we labor in prayer, we approach God with a sense of urgency and fervency, recognizing the significance and power of our communication with Him. It is a recognition that prayer is not just a religious duty or obligation, but a privilege and a means through which we can connect with the Creator of the universe.
Laboring in prayer involves making a conscious effort to set aside dedicated time and space for prayer, where we can focus our attention solely on God. It requires discipline and perseverance, as we may face distractions, busyness, or even spiritual opposition that tries to hinder our prayer life.
Just as athletes would train and exert great effort to compete in the Olympic games, we too must invest our time and energy into cultivating a strong prayer life. It is not a passive activity, but an active pursuit of God’s will and purpose. We wrestle with our own doubts, fears, and desires, surrendering them to God and seeking His guidance and strength.
Epaphras serves as an example of someone who understood the importance of laboring in prayer. He was a prayer warrior who was deeply committed to interceding for others. In Colossians 4:12, Paul commends Epaphras for “laboring earnestly” in prayer for the believers in Colossae. Epaphras understood that genuine spiritual victory and transformation could only come through prayer, and he was willing to invest his time and energy into this endeavor.
Laboring in prayer also involves aligning our hearts and minds with God’s will. It is not about selfishly asking for our own desires or preferences, but about seeking God’s kingdom and purposes to be fulfilled. We pray in accordance with God’s Word and seek His guidance in every aspect of our lives.
Additionally, laboring in prayer requires faith and trust in God’s character and promises. It is a declaration of our reliance on Him and our belief that He is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). We persist in prayer, even when we don’t see immediate answers, because we trust that God is at work and that His timing and ways are perfect.
In conclusion, to labor in prayer is to engage in a dedicated and earnest pursuit of God’s presence and intervention through prayer. It involves setting aside intentional time, wrestling with our own doubts and desires, and seeking alignment with God’s will. It requires faith, perseverance, and trust in God’s character and promises. Just as athletes train and compete to win, we must labor earnestly in prayer to experience the victory and transformation that comes from spending time in God’s presence.