Encouragers - Apaphras

The third class in a short Encouragers run turns from Barnabas and Onesiphorus to Epaphras, the Colossian whom Paul singles out in Colossians 4:12 as always wrestling in prayer for his home church. The teacher traces how Epaphras met Paul at Ephesus, carried the gospel home to Colossae, then found himself stuck in Rome with his heart still in Colossae: able to encourage his people only on his knees. Three practical marks follow: persistence, a focus on spiritual health, and prayer that costs real effort.