The other day as I was walking through a store, I happened
to sneeze, and a gentleman nearby offered the typical response of “bless you.”
This caused me to think about what that common expression actually
means—namely, a request for divine favor—and the different ways we can bless
others.
First, we can bless people by praying for them, and we
should be specific when bringing such petitions to the Lord. General requests
like “please bless him” are okay, but they can quickly become rote and devoid
of meaning. Try supplications with greater detail. When our prayers are
specific, we’ll be more likely to notice God’s answers, and we can share this
encouragement with the person we’re praying over.
Second, we can ask God’s favor on events and situations. Of
course, He will respond only when these align with His will. For example, it is
appropriate to request that the Lord find our worship acceptable (Psalm 19:14)
and to ask that He touch those present.
Third, we can bless God. We do this by expressing our praise
and thanksgiving for His character and for what He has done (Psalm 104:1). We
can also bless the Lord through our obedience, service, and desire to please
Him. When we place Him first in our lives, He is honored.
The Lord provides a vast array of good gifts, and the desire
for such benefits is normal and universal. In fact, as we yearn for divine
blessings, why not apply the Golden Rule as a motivation to bless
others—including God Himself—through prayer and service?
Thought for today:
Do I have an active prayer life?
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