When we think of blessing in the modern 21st century, we often think of it as monetary gain or material wealth. Many different books, films, commercials, advertisements, and television shows portray this. In the ancient world, a blessing was a sacred promise or gift bestowed upon someone that had a deep spiritual significance. A good example from the Old Testament of a blessing is when God told Abraham that it would be through his lineage the Messiah of the world would come. Abraham left his home of Ur with his family not knowing where he was going, but he trusted that the sovereign grace of God would lead him to where he was meant to go. This promise of blessing is what gave Abraham the courage and faith to do the will of God. Abraham came to know what it truly means to be blessed. Through this blessing came the lineage of Christ who offers hope for the broken, the weary, and those seeking for meaning and truth.
Blessings in Ancient Times and in the Modern Day
An example of blessing from the New Testament comes from Mark’s first-century gospel account. Jesus blesses the children and scolds his disciples after they disregarded the children who were around them as being a hindrance to what Jesus was trying to do. Mark says, “When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children” (Mark 10:14). It is quite interesting that Mark included this in his gospel to emphasize what a blessing meant in the context of the time he was writing.
No kind of material wealth was given to the children by Jesus, but by laying his hands on them and blessing them, He was anointing them to embrace who they were created to be in Christ rather than what the culture told them they should be. This part of Mark’s gospel of Jesus blessing the little children was an example to some of the prideful people in the crowds to convey that if anyone wants to truly follow Christ, he or she must have the faith of a child in the same way that a child completely trusts that their mother and father loves them.
In our modern culture, a blessing can be a priest officiating a wedding, doing a baptism for a family, a friend laying hands on another friend for prayer, or an act of kindness, compassion, and generosity towards someone that can be seen as an answer to prayer. In this context, a blessing can be seen in many different lights, and although it might not have the same cultural meaning it did in the ancient world, it can have just as much spiritual significance. I will share a few stories from personal experience of how I have been blessed on my journey of faith that will hopefully be of encouragement to others.
The Personal Power of God's Blessing We Can Experience Today
Before I moved from the mountains of North Carolina to pursue a master's in library science I was working quite hard not knowing if I would have enough funds to pay for my student visa and also have enough for when I got to Scotland. Some friends I made at the non-profit I was working at brought in a gift for me one day. When I opened the gift, I was quite taken aback and deeply moved by what I found inside! Inside the box was a very nice Lord of the Rings writer's journal, and some money. The funds were enough to help me get my student visa and have some to live off of when I arrived in Scotland. I expressed my gratitude to them and certainly view it as an answer to prayer. I had been very anxious, and praying every day that I would be able to have enough to get my student visa and have enough for when I moved to the U.K.
Another powerful experience of blessing happened through the act of prayer. It was a beautiful Autumn day, and I was very anxious. I found myself struggling on that cool crisp morning with a very big decision that I needed to make. What if things don’t end up working out? Am I truly making a good decision that will be good for me intellectually, emotionally, physically, and spiritually? These questions and others would often come to my mind as I After combating some anxiety about not wanting to go to a Eucharist service at an Anglican church I was attending in Asheville, I decided to go. How glad I was that I decided to go! During the service, as I worshipped in unison with everyone, my heart felt lighter, and I felt the peace of Christ.
After the service I asked if a few people would pray with me about the anxiety I was having in regard to the very important decision I needed to make. The friends didn’t offer any shallow platitudes but simply listened and prayed with me. That was an amazing experience of prayer. I felt extremely blessed by the outpouring of compassion and encouragement. That experience of blessing is one that I will always remember for the rest of my life.
Prayers for Blessings from the Bible and Christian Authors
Below are some prayers for blessing from Scripture, The Book of Common Prayer, and one from C. S. Lewis that I pray will be of encouragement and spiritual nourishment.
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26).
“But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:30-33).
57. For Guidance
Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with thy most gracious
favor, and further us with thy continual help; that in all our
works begun, continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify
thy holy Name, and finally, by thy mercy, obtain everlasting
life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
- The Book of Common Prayer
Poem
They tell me, Lord, that when I seem
To be in speech with you,
Since but one voice is heard, it’s all a dream,
One talker aping two.
Sometimes it is, yet not as they
Conceive it. Rather, I
Seek in myself the things I hoped to say
But lo!, my springs are dry.
Then, seeing me empty, you forsake
The listener’s role and through
My dumb lips breathe and into utterance wake
The thoughts I never knew.
And thus you neither need reply
Nor can; thus, while we seem
Two talkers, thou art One forever, and I
No dreamer, but thy dream. - C. S. Lewis
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/ipopba
Justin Wiggins is an author who works and lives in the primitive, majestic, beautiful mountains of North Carolina. He graduated with his Bachelor's in English Literature, with a focus on C.S. Lewis studies, from Montreat College in May 2018. His first book was Surprised by Agape, published by Grant Hudson of Clarendon House Publications. His second book, Surprised By Myth, was co-written with Grant Hudson and published in 2021. Many of his recent books (Marty & Irene, Tír na nÓg, Celtic Twilight, Celtic Song, Ragnarok, Celtic Dawn) are published by Steve Cawte of Impspired.
Wiggins has also had poems and other short pieces published by Clarendon House Publications, Sehnsucht: The C.S. Lewis Journal, and Sweetycat Press. Justin has a great zeal for life, work, community, writing, literature, art, pubs, bookstores, coffee shops, and for England, Scotland, and Ireland.
This article is part of our prayer resources meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.
Prayers for Healing
Morning Prayers
Prayers for Family
Prayers for Surgery
Prayers for Strength
Night Prayers Before Bed
Prayers for Protection
The Lord's Prayer: Our Father
