Moment to Moment

Blessing others

Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, according to Christ Jesus, so that you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with one mind and one voice. (Romans 15:5-6)

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

May the God of peace be with all of you. (Romans 15:33)

I’ve been thinking recently about what it means to bless others.

In this chapter, we see three blessings Paul gives to the Roman Christians.

He doesn’t say, “God, please help them live in harmony. Please fill them with joy and peace. Please be with them.”

Rather, he says, “May God do these things in your life.”

Is there a difference between praying for people and blessing them?

I think so.

When we pray for them, we are speaking directly to God, asking for his favor on them.

Blessing, on the other hand, is speaking more to people than to God. Part of that is for their encouragment. By blessing people we show them we care about them and desire their best.

But we’re not simply saying, “I hope things go well with you.”

Nor are we simply saying, “I’m praying for you.”

Rather, we are seeking to align our thoughts with God’s and to speak his will into their lives.

As such, I think there’s more thought that should go into blessing others than into prayer to God.

One can be pretty free in prayer. Ask whatever you wish. And if the Father thinks it’s good, in his timing he will give it.

But when you bless, you are speaking as God’s representative, his priest. As such, you shouldn’t be simply saying whatever you want to happen. Speak to people the words God gives you.

The more your own thoughts are in line with God’s thoughts, the more power that blessing has. In contrast, the less your thoughts are in line with God’s thoughts, the less power your blessing has.

All that said, let us not hesitate to bless others as Paul did, fearing that we might make mistakes on what God’s will is for them. We do walk by grace, after all.

Rather, as God’s priests, let’s practice blessing others, our spouses, our children, our friends, and everyone else God places in our lives.

For that matter, let me bless you now.