Daily Devotional
By Pastor Jerry Teboe
A Closer Walk with Christ in 2026
Ephesians 6:17-18
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.
Today, we see Paul’s final message for the church at Ephesus. We have been looking at the armor of the Christian soldier which provides protection from the enemy. Now, we come to the offensive weapons that are available to the believer. In this passage, we find that there are two weapons which we need to learn to use. Just as a soldier must train to be prepared for battle, the believer must also be prepared for the spiritual battle. The soldier must go through vigorous physical and mental preparations to be able to go into battle with the enemy. Long weeks in “boot camp” are required to get him ready. The soldier must spend much time getting to know his weapons, whether they be rifle, pistol, or other weapons. With this training, he becomes proficient with them and learns how to use them effectively to accomplish the purpose for which they are made. But for the believer, strength and ability doesn’t come from himself. The weapons themselves are the power needed for the battle.
These weapons of the believer’s warfare are the Word of God and the power of prayer. When Jesus was attacked by the devil, it was the power of the Word of God that gave the victory over the adversary. The same is true with us. As we take the Word of God and apply it in each of the battle situations in which we find ourselves, we also can achieve victory as the Word of God does its work.
We find the same power through prayer. Notice the word “all” in verse 18, Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. When we pray, we realize that the power of prayer is all inclusive... all prayer and supplication, all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. Prayer is the source of victory for the believer. We have the necessary weapons! We must use them!
As believers, we must recognize that we are in a spiritual battle. If we do not think we are, we are defeated already. When we realize that the battle is real, then we can utilize the armor that God gives us. We then take the offensive weapons and stand firm to win the battle. God has given us all we need to have victory in our battle. We must just use these weapons of the Word of God and the power of prayer.
I trust this study has been as great blessing for you as it has been for me. The only thing better than studying the Word of God here will be when we are in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ in eternity, and then all of the mysteries of the Scripture will be revealed.
Bible Reading for the Year
August 20th, Psalms 119:49-104; 1 Corinthians 4
Prayer Needs
Please continue to pray for Faye Smith, Jack Gargis’ sister. She has been transferred to a nursing home. She is getting weaker and really needs our prayers. The family greatly appreciates your prayers.
Please continue to pray for Shirley Deans. She is at home and getting stronger. She was able to have the chemo treatment. Pray that all will go well after it. The doctor said that she needs to rest to build up her body for future treatments.
Linda Franks’ surgery has been rescheduled for August 31st. Pray that she will stay well in order to have the surgery.
Continue to pray for Jennifer Teboe Buchamer. Please keep praying for complete healing. She is still having side effects from the cancer. She had a Keytruda treatment and is also taking an inhibiter pill. Pray there will not be any bad side effects from the pill and that the treatment will be effective against the cancer.
Thank you for praying for Dr. Joe Jordan. Yesterday, he had blood work that didn’t come out well. Please continue to pray for him.
Please continue to pray for Vickie Dalton. Pray for God’s healing. She was in the hospital to have a drainage tube put into her lung. She was able to go home but needs our prayers.
Please continue to pray for Marvin Silverthorne for his eyesight to improve. The doctors just discovered some spots on his pancreas. Pray for him please.
Please continue to pray for Peggy Warren. She is facing some difficult challenges, but seems to be getting better.
Please continue to pray for Robbie Harvey who has MAC lung disease. The doctor has prescribed a new medication, but he is not tolerating it well.
Pray for our Missionaries!
Sue Singleton and the mission in Cambodia
Dr. Joe Jordan and the CBM (Cross and Bible Ministries)
Travis and Caroline Fennessy – IBM missionaries to Southeast Asia