Blessing Prayer
Blessing prayer is an effective and fulfilling prayer practice used by disciple makers to invoke God's goodness and spiritual power for the benefit of others. It helps disciples begin to understand the authority we carry when we act in His name and wait on Him in prayer. Going beyond intercession, blessing others is declaring God's favor in their life. Don't just speak to God about a person, call down God's rule and the peace of His Kingdom in their life.
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"A city is built up by the blessing of the upright, but it is torn down by the mouth of the wicked." - Proverbs 11:11
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For Example:
One might pray, "Today, by the authority that God has given me as a son/daughter of King Jesus, I bless (name) with trust in God’s timing." This prayer align's with God's will and trusts the recipient to do the same. Additionally, blessing could be extended as follows: "By the working of the spirit, I bless (name) with a deep sense of peace that transcends understanding". Health and vitality are also subjects of blessing, as in the prayer , "I bless (name) with healing," invoking well-being and vitality. Blessing can be extended to relationships, seeking harmony and reconciliation, such as, "I bless (name) with restored relationships, like you want us to have Jesus." These blessing prayers are a conduit for encouraging others to remember God's authority, power, and kindness working in their life. These prayers can be for other disciples or potential Christians as you engage in outreach.
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"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse." - Romans 12:12-14
A Path to Blessing Others
Understanding Blessing Prayer
Blessing prayer is a unique form of intercession in reverse. Instead of asking God to grant a prayer's fulfillment, you pray for someone as if their prayer has already come true. It involves declaring God's promises upon them, invoking His presence in Jesus's name, and aligning with His will. When you bless others, you become a conduit for God's blessings, just like Abraham, Joseph, and Jacob blessed their children.
The Biblical Foundation
There are hundreds of references to blessing in scripture, from the first chapter where God blesses Adam and Eve with fruitfulness, dominion, and provision (Genesis 1:27-30) to the last chapter where Jesus blesses His people with the right to the tree of life and access to the holy city (Revelation 22:14).For the Jews, forwarding God's blessing to others was a normal part of life. In Genesis 12, God's covenant with Abraham reveals a fundamental truth: "You are blessed to be a blessing.". God promised to bless Abraham and make his name great, emphasizing that all peoples on Earth would be blessed through him. Throughout the Bible, we see priests and fathers authorized by God to bless others, highlighting our role in extending His blessings. In the New Testament, Paul starts of each of his letters with a blessing to the disciples and instructs the disciples themselves to bless others [Romans 12:14].
The Act of Blessing
Blessing isn't a mere verbal exercise; it often involves physical touch. Isaac and Jacob, for instance, blessed their sons through physical contact. Jesus himself prayed directly for people, and His blessings were personal and intimate, reflecting His deep care for those around Him. Blessing others must involve God, because only he can bring the blessing about. You are not giving God orders, but humbly expecting him to love others.
The Power and Urgency
Proverbs 11:11 portrays the power of blessing, suggesting that by the blessing of the upright, a city is exalted. Blessing holds an incredible power to shape the destiny of individuals and communities. James 5:16-17 reinforces the idea that the prayers of the righteous are potent and effective. While there are no "magic words" or special powers, fervent and righteous prayers can move mountains.
Practical Application
You can bless others in various areas of their lives, such as their physical health, emotional well-being, social relationships, and spiritual growth. Consider using an acrostic like "BLESS" (Body, Labor, Emotional, Social, and Spiritual) to guide your blessings.
Being a Blessing to Others
Being a blessing isn't confined to your immediate circle; it can also be a powerful tool for evangelism. By expressing your desire to bless others through prayer, you can initiate deep spiritual conversations and offer support to those in need. Remember that blessing others should flow naturally from a prayerful life. You don't need to force interactions or evangelistic efforts; they will naturally integrate into your life as you draw closer to God through prayer. Blessing prayer is a beautiful and powerful way to make a positive impact on the lives of others. As you align yourself with God's promises and declare His blessings upon those around you, you become a vessel of His love and grace, paying it forward. So, embrace the transformative power of blessing prayer and watch as it brings peace, joy, and God's kingdom to those you encounter on your disciple making journey.
"The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." - Numbers 6:24–26
BLESS 5 Prayer Practice
How can you focus on blessing key relationships to bring others to Christ?
After waiting on God in prayer and fasting, and listening to you particular context, choose 5 people from your relational network to bless. Questions to consider when choosing your 5:
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Who is my immediate neighbor, co-worker, best friend?
Who is it easy to have conversations with?
Who is the most unlikely to become a Christ follower?
Who would take the tiniest nudge to enter the Kingdom?
Who naturally connects with others (a possible person of peace)?
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1. __________________________________________________
2. __________________________________________________
3. __________________________________________________
4. __________________________________________________
5. __________________________________________________
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Use the BLESS acrostic for deeper focus on those God has placed on your heart, praying over their body, labor, emotions, social life, and spiritual life.
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Body: Health, protection, strength
Labor: Work, reward, security, provision
Emotional: Joy, peace, hope
Social: Love, marriage/dating relationship, family, friends
Spiritual: Salvation, revelation, faith, grace
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We can only bless someone to the extent that we know their life. Seeking to bless someone in these areas can generate follow up questions for you to get to know them and continue to follow up in blessing prayer. Blessings can be directly spoken over others while you are with them, or indirectly spoken over them while praying for them when you are apart.
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Blessing Prayer Walk
How can you engage in blessing during a prayer walk?
Prayer walking, in essence, is a missional journey with a threefold focus that can deeply impact communities. Firstly, it's about intercession, a connection that involves seeking God's guidance on how to participate in His ongoing work within our context. It's an invitation to join God in His transformative Kingdom endeavors. Secondly, it encompasses spiritual warfare and blessing. This facet of prayer walking is a courageous and assertive approach, aiming to reclaim spaces spiritually and bestow divine blessings upon the individuals who inhabit them. Lastly, prayer walking is an opportunity to identify the "Person of Peace," an individual divinely prepared to receive the Gospel and serve as a bridge to others within that community. In essence, prayer walking empowers us to engage meaningfully with our surroundings and create positive, lasting impacts by blessing our community in word and deed.
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Prayer walking is more than just a stroll through your neighborhood. As believers, we operate from a position of authority granted to us by our heavenly Father when we obediently engage in making disciples [Matthew 28:18-20]. Prayer walking is an exercise in this spiritual authority, where we confidently approach God, knowing that we are His ambassadors on Earth. You have been authorized to declare His gospel and the blessings of His Kingdom reign.
Seek Protection
Commence your prayer walk by covering yourself in prayer, seeking God's protection and guidance. Take authority over the land you walk on by declaring your responsibility in Christ. Remember, you're not just a bystander; you are an instrument of God's will in that space. During your prayer walk, inquire of the Lord if there are areas where you need to "bind the enemy" [Mark 3:27] or request the removal of evil influences. This step is crucial for spiritual warfare.
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Listen
In your disciple making, seek divine guidance from the Lord. Listen and ask Him what He is doing in that specific place and what prayers or actions He desires from you. Be ready to obey any instructions or strategies He provides.
Declare Blessings
Speak out the Lord's truths and blessings over the space you are praying for. Let your words carry God's will of transformation and restoration. In Numbers 6:27, we speak God’s name on the people we bless. We’re standing in God’s presence as one of His chosen children and priests, welcoming His peace and the power of His name into people’s lives.
Engage with People
Lift up prayers that the Holy Spirit would reveal Persons of Peace in the community—individuals who display spiritual interest and can act as relational connectors to others. These are the bridges to deeper connections. Be prepared to interact with people you encounter during your prayer walk, as these encounters may be divine appointments. If appropriate, explain your purpose and offer to pray for any concerns they may have. It's an opportunity to share God's Word, love, and blessing. simply offer:
"I am trying to find ways to bless this community, is there any way I can encourage or pray for you?"
Alternatively you could offer:
"If God could do one miracle in your life, what would it be? My God is a powerful God and he answers prayers. Can I pray for you?"
The prayerful practice of blessing others always engages God’s spiritual power to benefit them. These questions will give the opportunity for deeper interactions and follow up. If they're a new acquaintance remember to grab their number so that you can continue to pray for them until God has answered. Be ready to extend invitations to discover God's message in the Bible to those who show spiritual interest. Invitations to initiate Discovery Bible Studies should naturally arise from relationships and spiritual conversations.
Incorporate these steps into your prayer walking experience, recognizing that prayer is not merely an end in itself but a powerful means to impact your community and make disciples. Through prayer walking, you become an instrument of God's transformative grace in blessing world around you.