Blessing Others

Our choice to bless can have a wide impact.

Psalms 5:11-12

Have you ever sneezed in public? Someone usually says, "Bless you!" or "God bless you!" Pause for a moment to consider what this common phrase actually means—literally, it's a wish for divine goodness. If we truly want blessings to occur, there are several things we can do.

First, we can bless people by praying for them, and we should be specific in our supplications to the Lord. Imagine how encouraged others will be when they see that we care enough to pray thoughtfully, and that God cares enough to answer.

Second, we can ask for the Lord's favor for events and situations. Of course, He will respond according to His will. For example, it is appropriate to ask for God's presence to be powerfully manifested in a church service and to touch those present.

Third, we can bless God (Psalms 104:1). We do this by expressing praise and gratitude for His character and for what He has done in our lives and in the lives of those we intercede for.

God does countless good things for us, and the desire to receive such blessings is normal and universal. In fact, as we yearn for divine blessings, why not apply the golden rule—to bless others, including God Himself, through prayer and service—as a motivation?