OUR DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
READ: Ephesians 6 (Focus vs. 10–20)
MEMORY VERSE
“Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” Ephesians 6:18
BACKGROUND
During a writing conference where I served as a faculty member, Tamy handed me a postcard with a handwritten prayer on the back. She explained that she read the faculty biographies, wrote specific prayers on each card, and prayed as she delivered them to us.
In awe over the details in her personal message to me, I thanked God for encouraging me through Tamy’s gesture. Then I prayed for her in return. When I struggled with pain and fatigue during the conference, I pulled out the postcard. God refreshed my spirit as I reread Tamy’s note.
The apostle Paul recognized the life-affirming impact of prayer for others. He urged believers to prepare for battle “against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12).
He encouraged ongoing and specific prayers, while emphasizing the need to intervene for one another in what we call intercessory prayer. Paul also requested bold prayers on his behalf.
“Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains” (vv. 19–20).
As we pray for one another, the Holy Spirit comforts us and strengthens our resolve. He affirms that we need Him and one another, assuring us that He hears every prayer—silent, spoken, or scribbled on a prayer card—and He answers according to His perfect will.
By: Xochitl Dixon
INSIGHT
In daily living, it’s easy to get swept up in the things we can see and touch and to forget that there’s an unseen realm.
The apostle Paul gives this warning in Ephesians 6:12: “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
Prayer is such a key element of our spiritual armor because we’re not dealing with “flesh and blood” but with “spiritual forces.”
Through prayer, we connect with the invisible God who is Lord over both the seen and unseen.
By: Bill Crowder
APPLICATION
How has God ministered to you through the intercessory prayers of others? Who can you encourage with a prayer card today?
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
“Carry/Share each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ” Galatians 6:2
“Our prayers for others flow more easily (carry more weight) than those for ourselves…” C.S. Lewis
“The greatest gifts we can give to each other, is to pray for one another.” Anonymous”
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (From Post)
“In daily living, it’s easy to get swept up in the things we can see and touch and to forget that there’s an unseen realm… Through prayer, we connect with the invisible God who is Lord over both the seen and unseen.”
PRAYER
“Dear God, please help me approach You with confident prayers for myself and others.”
TODAY’s HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“I NEED YOU TO SURVIVE” Hezekiah Walker*
I need you, You need me
We’re all a part of God’s body
Stand with me, agree with me
We’re all a part of God’s body
It is His will;
That every need be supplied
You are important to me,
I need you to survive
You are important to me,
I need you to survive
…look at somebody,
…tell them I need you
I need you
You need me,
You need me; I need you
…We’re all a part of God’s body
…Agree with me…
I need you to survive
(You need me to survive)
I pray for you
…You pray for me
…I love you
…I need you to survive
I won’t harm you with words…
From my mouth
I love you
I need you to survive
I pray for you
You pray for me
I pray for you
You pray for me…
READING THROUGH THE BIBLE DAILY IN 2023
Leviticus 23-24
Mark 1:1-22