Struggle in prayer

Col 4:12-13

12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.

• How could Epaphras be with Paul (wherever he was) and still struggle for the Colossian church?
  
• Why would prayer be considered a place of struggle?
  
• What did Epaphras pray for?
  
• Who do you struggle for in your prayers?
  
• When you pray for someone, what is your usual requests?
  
• Who do you have such deep concern that you would struggle earnestly in prayer for them?
  
• What does it mean to you that someone you care for is "standing mature and fully assured in all the will of God"?