Welcome to today's encouragement from our daily bread.

My name is Sochial Dixon.

I'll be sharing a personal story in today's reading, prayer cards.

During a writing conference where I served as a faculty member, Tammy 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 all over the details in her personal

message to me, I thank God for encouraging me through Tammy'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 Tammy's note.

The Apostle Paul recognized the life-affirming impact of prayer for others.

In Ephesians 6, he urged believers to prepare for battle against the spiritual forces of evil

in the heavenly realms.

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.

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.

Today's our daily bread devotional scripture reading is from Ephesians chapter 6, verses 10 to 20.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power, put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's

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