February 18, 2023 – Our Daily Bread Devotional Message || ODB for Saturday
Read February 18, 2023 – Our Daily Bread Devotional || ODB for Saturday Message
READ SATURDAY ODB DEVOTIONAL, OUR DAILY BREAD 18TH FEBRUARY 2023 WRITTEN BY XOCHITL DIXON (OUR DAILY BREAD MINISTRIES)
TOPIC: Prayer Cards
Bible in a Year: Leviticus 23–24; Mark 1:1–22
Key Verse: Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. – Ephesians 6:18
Today’s Scripture: Ephesians 6:10–20
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. Learn more about how to pray effectively.
Our Daily Bread Devotional 18th February 2023 MESSAGE
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.
REFLECT: How has God ministered to you through the intercessory prayers of others? Who can you encourage with a prayer card today?
PRAY: Dear God, please help me approach You with confident prayers for myself and others.
Our Daily Bread Devotional 18 February 2023 || ODB for Saturday Message . Our Daily Bread Ministries (ODB) is a Christian organization founded by Dr. Martin De Haan in 1938. It is based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with over 600 employees. It produces several devotional publications, including Our Daily Bread. our daily bread devotional for today audio our daily bread booklet.
