Epaphras Prays Podcast

In this insightful teaching from Andrew Murray's classic work on prayer , we encounter Jesus' revolutionary words to the Samaritan woman at the well — perhaps His first recorded instruction on prayer itself. Murray takes us beyond the familiar story to explore what it truly means to worship "in spirit and truth." This isn't merely about being sincere or earnest in our prayers, but about entering i...

I was browsing for a gift. Nothing specific was coming to mind, but I wanted to get a gift for someone that would be specific to them, and not get just a generic gift card. Sometimes it’s easy. You’re cruising along and see it. “Oh, this would be perfect,” you exclaim. Other times you look and shop and browse, with nothing jumping out. That was me. I’d wandered in to a specialty shop for a quick l...

I invite you to pray along with the PrayerCast. Episode Notes We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you…we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask — from Colossians 1:3 & 9-12 And I do not cease to pray for all those who are in Christ from David’s Prayer of Blessing -- 1 Chronicles 29 Then David blessed the LORD in the sight of all the assembly and said: O,...

When I first attempted to pray, especially to pray for others, I was at a loss for what to say. Little did I know the types of prayer, the parts of it, and even the meaning of it. So I was helped tremendously by several things. One was being in regular prayer meetings at my church with other intercessors. This helped because I got to “Amen” what they were asking the Lord and there was little I nee...

Praise and Thanksgivings Prayers For The People Of God From The Word Of God * Romans 5:5 * Philippians 1:9f * 2 Thessalonians 3:5 * Colossians 4:12 Will you join me in praying these verses, and ask one person to join you? A Prayer of the Early Church - Prayer For Right Blessings From - A Way To Pray: 10 Helpful Prompts to Start and Focus Your Praying #3. Acknowledge. We recognize the great ruler-s...

Marcus stared at the stack of overdue bills on his kitchen table, the weight of two years' worth of unanswered prayers pressing down on his shoulders. Like many believers facing prolonged trials, he had begun to wonder if God was truly listening—or if He simply didn't care about the "small" matters of daily provision. Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose hear...

"So the word of God increased. The number of the disciples multiplied greatly..." Acts 6:7 The Question That Demands an Answer We carry in our pockets more computing power than launched humanity to the moon. Through smartphones, we access vast reservoirs of information instantly. Bible apps and commentaries travel with us everywhere. Yet here stands the pressing question: Does the word of God cont...

Tragedy hits like a runaway truck. It doesn't care about our plans, hopes, or dreams - it simply strikes without warning. We are so unprepared for the unexpected loss, pain, grief. Suddenly we find ourselves thrust into a whirlwind of emotions, questions, and impossible decisions. It is here we need people who will come alongside - in person or in prayer. When the phone call came at noon while I w...

The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. Psalm 145:18 Pray for How We Speak Father, you have blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing. Let no corrupting talk come out of my mouth, but only what is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear…Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out...

“When you get to the door, tell them I said to let you in,” I jokingly told my friend. “Really?” he asked. “Yes, and they’ll say ‘Who?’” He laughed, knowing then the ticket-taker at the venue would have now idea who I was. Even though he had my name, it carried no weight or authority in that place at all. But as children of God, we have the Name above all names. There are a number of things Jesus...

I've always loved old pendulum clocks – their rhythmic tick-tock of seconds, their chimes announcing each hour. In the stillness of a quiet room, their steady cadence serves as both companion and reminder. These do more than simply display the hour; they whisper a profound truth: each tick represents a moment gone forever, each tock a gentle nudge that our time on earth is finite. As these mechani...

Charles Spurgeon, the 'Prince of Preachers,' understood prayer not merely as a means to receive blessings but as a transformative spiritual practice. In his wisdom, Spurgeon identified three profound benefits of prayer: it (a) teaches us our unworthiness, it (b) strengthens us spiritually, and it (c) connects human weakness with divine power. These insights reveal why prayer remains essential to a...

Three preachers were discussing the best positions for praying while a telephone repairman worked nearby. "Kneeling is definitely best," claimed one. “No," another contended. "I get the best results standing with my hands outstretched to Heaven." "You're both wrong," the third insisted. "Lying prostrate, face down on the floor produces the most effective prayers." "You know, fellas," interrupted t...

Whatever is the matter should be a matter for prayer. In every thing, we are instructed to take it to the Lord in prayer (Philippians 4:6). This means anything, and everything that would cause us stress, frustration, anxiety, or worry. Which is, let’s face it, most things! Like my car problem. We’ve had this ongoing issue with one of our vehicles for over a year. It’s under warranty, but the cause...

Prayer often feels like an uphill battle in our busy lives. Yet sometimes, the most important spiritual practices are those we pursue even when motivation fails us. "Pray fervently when you don't feel it. If you do not pray except when you feel like praying, you will not pray much, nor pray when you most need it. My brethren, when you do not feel like praying, you ought to pray all the more, and g...

One of the significant events of Jesus' last week was His time of prayer in the Garden. After the triumphal entry, the Last Supper, and washing His disciples' feet—but before His betrayal and arrest—the Son of God was alone with His Father, praying. It was late, and those with Him stayed behind and fell asleep while He prayed. I do much of my own praying well before dawn, and always have a coffee...

The Vineyard and the Vision If you plant a seed, you don’t just hope for a sprout — you hope for fruit. A harvest. Something full-grown, resilient, rooted. Whether it’s tomatoes in the backyard or grapes in a vineyard, the goal is never just green leaves. It's the fruit that feeds. Spiritual growth is no different. When we pray for one another, we're not only asking for help in the moment—we're wa...

It’s been four years this week since this publication began, thank you being in the prayer group! 3 things I have learned * Neglecting prayer is worse than neglecting food or sleep * Studying praying people broadens and deepens my understanding * Not everyone is interested in prayer or learning to pray May we learn to pray without ceasing! Fortunately the Lord is both a patient and excellent teach...

Delays in answering prayers can occur due to God's desire to show His power, to increase the petitioner's fervor, or to reveal something that needs to be addressed in the petitioner. We are to wait patiently and continue praying earnestly, with hopeful expectation that God's response will come in due time. Therefore will the Lord wait that He may be gracious unto you. — Isaiah 30:18 We don’t like...

Why we pray for the Children of God First, because it’s who Jesus prayed for: those who believe in Him. Also, because it’s who Paul and the Apostles prayed for: those who gather in fellowships, called churches. Finally, because the Lord gave us these prayers to ask Him—it is His revealed will for us, and He plans on answering them. That the church might be filled with the fullness of God , Ephesia...

The player lay almost still after the hit, clearly in pain. Coaches and fans stood, gasping and wondering as the medical team rushed over. Would the player stand up on his own? Could he continue playing, or would he need to be carried off for medical care? Meanwhile, eight players from both teams gathered in the middle of the field. They knelt in a prayer circle, heads bowed, asking God to heal th...

Praying alone, in a secret place, is vital. It’s the way Jesus prayed. Praying together, with believers, is also vital. It’s the way the early church prayed. We should do both today. From our article Secret Praying — Getting alone with the Lord in silence and solitude : Alone is often how Jesus prayed, and this was the first lesson He taught — that when praying, get alone. But when you pray, go in...

How easy it is to fume about someone who’s actively against us! I don’t know about you, but isn’t it all too easy to get riled up over criticism, or disagreement, or even persecution? Someone has wronged us, by theft, or lies or gossip, and we toss and turn over and over what we want to do to get them back. Sounds familiar, yes? It does to me, I was like this a lot in my younger days. Even if I ne...

In our desire for answered prayers, we often grasp desperately at promises while missing their source. Prayer is not primarily about getting what we want, but about drawing closer to the One who knows what we need. This profound truth resonates throughout Scripture and finds clear expression in Mark chapter 11, where Jesus teaches his disciples about the power of faith. If we believe and do not do...

Jesus once asked a blind man, "What do you want me to do for you?" (Luke 18:41) This question demonstrated Jesus' kindness and His willingness to respond to faith. It invited the man to express his needs directly, revealing how personal Jesus' care truly was. It's similar to how we pray in faith and ask God for help. Jesus is always there for us and cares deeply. Today, we might ask, "How can I he...