We have begun exploring the power of blessing and now want to answer the question, “What does a blessing look like?”
A true blessing spoken over someone or something is “describing the way God sees them.” This is a prophetic insight concerning the way someone or something is supposed to be. It may not be evident yet in the natural realm, so we are speaking things that are not as though they were (Rom. 4:17).
When we speak a blessing over someone, we are prophetically stating: “May the Lord grant you all of His intention for you,” or, “May God’s full expectation for you be fulfilled in your life.” I don’t withhold a blessing until they deserve it or are walking in it. I call it forth, speaking it into existence (Mark 11:23-26).
Examples of Biblical Blessings
The first blessing in the Bible: “God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves on the earth'” (Gen. 1:28, emphasis added).
God’s blessing upon Abraham: “I will make of you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and curse him who curses you, and in you all the families of the earth will be blessed” (Gen. 12:2,3, emphasis added). I would suggest it is a true principle that when we bless, we are blessed. When we curse, we are cursed.
Every created thing will ultimately bless Jesus, “saying with a loud voice, ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.” Then I heard every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that are in them, saying: ‘To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and power, forever and ever!'” (Rev. 5:12-13, emphasis added).
Examples of Blessings I Can Speak
- A blessing upon national leaders: Righteousness exalts a nation (Prov. 14:34). You are in a position to lift up righteousness. Your heart is open to perceive the purposes of God and release them to our nation (Eph. 1:17,18).
- A blessing upon my marriage: God’s blessing is upon my marriage. We serve God together, fulfilling one another’s lives in all the ways God has intended.
- A blessing upon my children: God has created you to fulfill an important role in releasing His kingdom on earth. You perceive and walk in all God has designed for you.
Curses Ever?
Yes, Jesus did speak against the Pharisees as a group (Matt. 23:1-39; John 8:39-47). However, even in this case some within that group, such as Nicodemus (John 3:1-15), received mercy and grace rather than the pronounced curses.
Benefits I Receive When I Bless Rather Than Curse
Not only do I benefit the person whom I speak or pray a blessing over, I too experience benefits. I move from discouragement to hope, from judging to loving, from speaking death to speaking life.
I have faith for the future, which makes life worth living once again.
Since love, compassion and blessing turn on healing genes and turn off inflammatory genes, my health improves (Prov. 17:22).
Since I reap a harvest in light of what I have sowed, I reap blessings back rather than curses (Hos. 8:7; Deut. 28:1-63).
What’s not to like about this prayer approach of speaking a blessing over all?
Journaling Questions
- Lord, what do You want to speak to me concerning blessing those around me, including my national leaders?
- What circumstance do You want me to worship You in the midst of, so Your blessing can be released into the situation?
Mark Virkler, Ph.D., has authored more than 50 books in the areas of hearing God’s voice and spiritual growth. He is the founder of Communion With God Ministries and Christian Leadership University (cluonline.com), where the voice of God is at the center of every learning experience. Mark has taught on developing intimacy with God and spiritual healing for 30-plus years on six continents. The message has been translated into over 40 languages, and he has helped to establish more than 250 church-centered Bible schools around the world.
This article originally appeared at cwgministries.org.
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