Scripture

Our verse for today comes from Colossians 4:12, “Epaphras … always laboring fervently for you in prayers …”

Background

After being expelled from Yale University in 1743, the prospects of David Brainerd’s fulfilling his call to the pulpit were growing slim. Especially since a law had recently been passed that stated no minister could be installed in a church unless they were a graduate of Yale, Harvard or a European university. Brainerd was crushed when his appeal was rejected and his expulsion became final. Yet, despite this ruling, he continued to labor earnestly in prayer for God’s direction. As providence would have it, Brainerd was later licensed to preach during the Great Awakening and appointed by a group of ministers as a missionary to the American Indians.

Application

Brainerd labored night and day in prayer and on foot taking the gospel to the American Indians. He would often do so while enduring physical and weather-related hardship. On one such occasion Brainerd hiked for miles through deep snow, praying for those he would visit, coughing and spitting up blood from his illness, asking God for their souls. Like Epaphras, he truly was “laboring earnestly” for the souls of men. Soon after that event, Brainerd died of tuberculosis. When awakening comes, the result will be lives that are devoted to living out the revived life. Keep praying. It is worth it.

Charge

As we seek Him today, ask forgiveness for any apathy toward prayer and the sharing of Jesus with others. Ask the Lord to give you a heart for prayer like Epaphras and Brainerd.

Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words