As we step into a new year, it's important to remember a fundamental truth about our identity as believers: we are blessed people. But this blessing isn't meant to stop with us—we are blessed to be a blessing to others.
What Does It Mean to Be Blessed?
Psalm 103 beautifully outlines the many ways God has blessed us. When David writes "forget not all his benefits," he's reminding us to actively remember and acknowledge God's goodness in our lives.
God's Forgiveness and Salvation
The most foundational blessing we receive is forgiveness through Jesus Christ. Our sins are forgiven, and we have salvation. If there was nothing else in Scripture beyond this truth, it would be enough. This forgiveness covers our past and gives us hope for our future.
Divine Healing in All Its Forms
God heals our diseases—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Jesus demonstrated this healing power throughout the Gospels. Our bodies are designed by God to heal automatically, and He provides skilled doctors to assist in this process. Sometimes God heals miraculously, and ultimately, we can be confident that complete healing awaits us in His presence where there is no sickness or death.
Redemption from Life's Struggles
God redeems us from the pit—those really tough times we all face, whether caused by our own choices or circumstances beyond our control. He takes these difficult experiences and transforms them into something meaningful.
Crowned with Love and Compassion
Here's where God's ways differ from our natural inclinations. He doesn't simply download compassion into our hearts. Instead, He teaches us compassion through the very experiences He redeems. We learn mercy when we bury someone close to us, when we care for someone with a terminal illness, or when someone walks out of our lives. These redeemed experiences become our crowns—the very tools God uses to help us minister to others.
How Can We Be a Blessing to Others?
Just as rivers that flow bring life to everything along their banks, we are meant to let God's blessings flow through us to others. A river that only receives but never gives becomes stagnant like the Dead Sea.
The Power of Prayer
One of the most significant ways we can bless others is through prayer. This isn't complicated—it's something every believer can do.
Praying Scripture for Others
When reading the Bible, pay attention to verses that seem highlighted by the Holy Spirit. Take these passages and pray them for specific people in your life. For example, when reading that God "showed his ways to Moses," you can pray, "Lord, show your ways to [person's name]."
You can also use daily Bible verses as prayer prompts. Take the verse of the day and transform it into a prayer for someone you care about.
Who Should We Pray For?
Our Families
The most important people you can pray for are your family members. This includes parents, children, grandchildren, siblings, and extended family. Nobody loves your family more than you do, and consistent prayer for them by name can make a tremendous difference over time.
Our Church Family
The people in your church are also your family. Learn the names of five to seven people who sit near you each Sunday. Introduce yourself if you don't know them, write down their names, and begin praying for one person each day. If everyone in the church began praying for five people regularly, it would transform our community.
Don't forget to pray for church leaders and staff members who serve faithfully.
Our Neighbors
Begin praying for the people who live around you. As you walk through your neighborhood, pray blessings over the houses you pass. When you meet neighbors, ask if there's anything you can pray for them about, then follow up the next time you see them.
Speaking Blessings Over Others
Beyond intercessory prayer, Scripture teaches us about spoken blessings—actually speaking words of blessing over people in Jesus' name. As believers, we are a royal priesthood with the authority to pronounce blessings.
The Aaronic Blessing
One of the most well-known spoken blessings comes from 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."
Blessing Your Community
You can speak blessings over your neighbors even when they're not present. As you walk down the street, bless houses with God's peace, love, joy, and hope. These simple acts of faith can have profound spiritual impact.
What Does It Look Like to Bless Our Church?
We can specifically bless our church community to:
- Practice the Word of God faithfully
- Be authentic and real in our relationships
- Reach our neighbors with compassion
- Walk under the leadership and power of the Holy Spirit
Life Application
This week, commit to becoming a conduit of God's blessings rather than just a reservoir. Start small but start somewhere:
Choose three people to pray for daily—one family member, one person from church, and one neighbor. Write down their names and begin praying Scripture over them each day.
Practice speaking the Aaronic blessing over someone this week. It might feel uncomfortable at first, but remember that you have the authority through Jesus Christ to bless others in His name.
Questions for Reflection:
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How has God blessed you in ways you might have forgotten or taken for granted?
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What experiences has God redeemed in your life that could now be used to show compassion to others?
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Who are the five people God is calling you to pray for regularly?
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How can you move from being blessed to actively blessing others in your daily life?
Remember, we don't always feel like praying, but we can choose to pray out of obedience to a Father who loves us enough to send His Son. Whether we see immediate results or not, we can trust that our prayers matter because God loved us enough to redeem us, save us, and crown us with His compassion.