Blessing

Introduction Talking about blessing during these unusual times may seem unusual. But it sometimes takes a moment to take a breath and to focus on what God is doing in and through us. God’s blessing is still everywhere, this time can be a gift to help us to notice the blessings in the little things and to share the blessing with others. Our challenge is to be creative in how we think of new ways to bless others or to share our own experiences which in turn blesses the hearers. May you know the greatest blessing of all…. a deepening relationship with the God who is the source of all blessing.

Talk about it What does the word ‘blessing’ mean to you? Do you think God blesses you? What does blessing look like? Matthew 5:1-12 says Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them. He said:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of

me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets

who were before you.

These were the words of Jesus, how does this influence your understanding of blessing? One definition of blessing is to speak well of. When we do this we bless people. Jesus did it for us and we do so for others. Bless people by speaking well of them and to them. Are there opportunities where your words can bless others? The flip side of this is when we do not speak well of or to others, we can break them down and cause great hurt…. the opposite of blessing. How could this idea change some of your thinking and actions?

Action Prayer walk to bless

the neighbourhood….

Print out the next

page, cut up the

pieces and put them

into envelopes and

mix them up. Every

few minutes choose

an envelope to open

and then follow the

instructions.

When you gather as a household or as a family try to think creatively of what you could do in your neighbourhood to be a blessing to them. There will be opportunity to give testimonies after Easter or when things are back to normal…

PRAY FORGOD'S

PROVISIONFOR WHAT

THESEHOMES

NEED, NOTNECESSAR-ILY ONLY

PHYSICAL.

PRAY FORTHE

HEALTH OFEACH

PERSON INTHESE

HOMES.

PRAY THATGOD WOULDBLESS THESEHOMES WITHKNOWLEDGEOF HIM ANDTHAT THEY

WOULD LIVE ALIFE OF

ABUNDANCE INGOD.

PRAY THATGOD WOULDBLESS ALLTHE WORK

TAKINGPLACESWITHINTHESE

HOMES, ANDTHAT GOD

WOULD HELPTHEM TO BEPRODUCTIVE

.

PRAYGOD'S

BELSSINGOF PEACE

IN THEHOMESAND IN

THEDIFFERENTRELATIONS

HIPS INEACH ONE.

PRAY THATGOD WOULDBLESS THE

SCHOOLS INTHIS AREAAND THAT

THELEARNING

WOULDCONTINUE

ANDFLOURISH

EVEN IFDONE

REMOTELY.