During this week's sermon, Mike Wilkins spoke about the power of blessing.
The Importance & Power of Blessing
In many ways, in the western world, we've forgotten the power of blessing, placing more emphasis on rationalism and ignoring the supernatural. We don't always remember the power that blessings and other prayers can have. But the Bible takes blessing very seriously!
- In Genesis, when Jacob impersonates Esau and receives the blessing that was supposed to go to him, Esau is devastated-- far more so than when he lost his inheritance (Genesis 25:27-34, Genesis 27:34-38).
- All of the patriarchs blessed their children (Genesis 48:8-20).
- Moses blessed all the tribes of Israel before he died. These are the words that he speaks over the tribe of Benjamin: "Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders." (Deuteronomy 33:12)
In the same way, we can bless others. People can feel your blessing even if they don’t hear it! And not just people-- Saint Patrick blessed a river so that the people could catch more fish, and when Roy Godwin started to bless the lands around the Ffald-y-Brenin retreat centre in Wales, dried-up springs began to flow again, and the farms began to prosper. Blessing has power!
The reason that our blessings have power is that the Holy Spirit works through us to put His power behind our words. In this way, we proclaim God’s blessing on people, and He honours our words by putting His power behind them, so that the people are truly blessed.
The Call and Privilege of Blessing
"You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." (1 Peter 2:9-10)
In the Hebrew scriptures, it was the role of the priests to lead worship, sacrifice for forgiveness, intercede for the people, and bless the people! Peter tells us that we are all priests, and as priests filled with the Holy Spirit, we worship God, we can proclaim God’s forgiveness on people through Jesus, we pray for people, and we get the privilege of blessing people.
More than a privilege, it is a calling. God commissioned the priests to bless the people, telling Moses in Numbers 6:22-26, "Tell Aaron and his sons, 'This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.' "
Because we are priests, we are also called to bless the people around us.
How to Bless
- Overt Blessing: Blessing people in such a way that they know they are being blessed. Many people aren’t that interested in hearing about our faith, some people are open to you praying for them, but almost everyone is happy to receive a blessing. (It’s best to ask them first!)
- Covert Blessing: Blessing people when they don’t know they’re being blessed. You can bless your neighbours quietly as you walk past their house, bless people in your own regular prayers, bless all those involved in getting the food to the table when you say grace. Even if the people you bless don’t receive your blessing, it doesn’t go to waste-- when Jesus sends out the 70 disciples to minister, He tells them to bless the people and their household. He said that if they don’t receive the blessing, the blessing would return to the giver! (Luke 10:6)
- Scriptural Blessings: There are many blessings and benedictions in the Bible (see below for a list of examples). You can easily bookmark or memorize a few so you have them at the ready. There are also many books of blessings (such as "Celtic Blessings: Prayers for Everyday Life" compiled by Ray Simpson). While the scriptural blessings and other pre-written prayers are wonderful, there are times when the Holy Spirit will give us words of knowledge, prophetic words, images or inklings that makes the blessing more timely, personal, and powerful for the person being blessed. When I receive something like that, it is usually as I am giving a scriptural blessing.
Blessings are powerful, but James reminds us that words are not enough: "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." (James 2:14-17). If the person that you are blessing has a need that you can help them with, then bless them tangibly as well as with words.
Who to Bless
Bless those you love: children, parents, spouse, other family members, neighbours.
Bless those you don’t love. Jesus tells us: "Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." (Luke 6:28) Paul says in Romans 12:14, "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse." And in Matthew 5:43-45, Jesus teaches: "You have heard the law that says, 'Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.' But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike." If you bless the people who hurt you, you will be like God.
List of Scriptural Blessings
- Numbers 6:24-26 - "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." (NIV)
- Romans 15:5-6 - "May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." (NLT)
- Romans 15:13 - "Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope!" (MSG)
- Ephesians 3:20-21 - "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." (NIV)
- 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word. (NIV)
- Hebrews 13:20-21 - "Now may the God of peace--who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood-- may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen." (NLT)
- 1 Peter 2:9-10 - "But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted." (MSG)
- Jude 24-25 - "To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen." (NIV)
- Revelation 1:5-6 - All glory to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us. He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen. (NLT)
- 1 Kings 8:58, 60
- Psalm 72:18-19
- Psalm 129:8
- Acts 20:32
- Romans 16:20
- 1 Corinthians 1:3
- 1 Corinthians 16:13-14, 23
- 2 Corinthians 1:2
- 2 Corinthians 13:11, 14
- Galatians 1:3
- Galatians 6:18
- Ephesians 6:23-24
- Philippians 4:7
- Philippians 4:19
- Philippians 4:20
- 1 Thessalonians 5:23-28
- 2 Thessalonians 3:16
- 2 Thessalonians 3:18
- 1Timothy 1:17
- 2 Timothy 1:2
- 2 Timothy 4:22
- 1 Peter 5:10
- 1 Peter 5:14
- 2 Peter 3:17-18
- Revelation 22:21
List of Celtic Blessings
- May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you,
wherever He may send you.
May He guide you through the wilderness,
protect you through the storm.
May He bring you home rejoicing
at the wonders He has shown you.
May He bring you home rejoicing
once again into our doors.
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
- May the Sacred Three save, shield and surround this house, this home, this day, this night, and every night. May God bless this house, from roof to floor, from wall to wall, from end to end, from its foundation and in its covering. In the strong name of the Triune God, may all evil be banished, all disturbance cease, captive spirits freed, God's Spirit alone dwell within these walls.
+ In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
- Let nothing disturb thee, nothing affright thee; all things are passing, God never changeth! Patient endurance attaineth to all things; who God possesseth in nothing is wanting; alone God sufficeth.
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
- See that ye be at peace among yourselves, my children, and love one another. Follow the example of the wise and good and God will comfort you and help you, both in this world and in the world which is to come.
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
- A Franciscan Blessing:
May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart. Amen.
May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace. Amen.
May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy. Amen.
May God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done. Amen.
And the Blessing of God, who Creates, Redeems and Sanctifies, be upon you and all you love and pray for this day, and forever more. Amen.
- Brigid House Blessing (Celtic Daily Prayer): May the Sacred Three save, shield and surround this house, this home, this day, this night, and every night. May God bless this house, from roof to floor, from wall to wall, from end to end, from its foundation and in its covering. In the strong name of the Triune God, may all evil be banished, all disturbance cease, captive spirits freed, God's Spirit alone dwell within these walls. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Missed this Sunday's sermon? Watch it here!