prayer at work
“Epaphras, of whom Paul says to the Colossians ‘is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus… He is always wrestling in prayer for you, so that you may be mature and fully convinced, standing firm in all the will of God.'” (Colossians 4:12)
Many of us have been caught up in the “secular vs. sacred” model for so long that it can be difficult for us to see our work as a ministry and our 9 to 5 window as missionaries in the workplace. However, God clearly tells us that we are to glorify God in everything we do (see Col. 3:17, 24). Praying for people to fulfill our purpose and calling into our workplaces is in line with God’s will for each person.
While the idea of a workplace intercessor may be a new concept to us, we need to remember the examples we find in the New Testament of believers praying for one another such as Epaphras in the above scripture.
Colin Ferreira is a friend, board member of our ministry, and owner of an optical business in Trinidad. I first met Colin in 2001 when he invited me to speak at the Caribbean Workplace Conference he was organizing. I have watched Colin grow as a Kingdom business leader.
Through a series of struggles common in most businesses, Colin began to recognize the need for more prayer coverage. One of the organizations to which he was providing financial and leadership support maintained a prayer ministry. Colin asked the minister leading the organization to intercede for him and his company on an ongoing basis, and she gladly agreed.
The two continued to meet from time to time to discuss prayer needs and important issues developing within the organization, which the minister discreetly addressed in his mediation group meetings. Often, this woman recognizes specific problems during these prayer meetings and knows how to pray for them effectively.
Is prayer a regular part of your time with God? Are you in a relationship with people who are praying for you?
