How to Give a Blessing

There is a blessing-sized void in every person's life that can only be filled by God and by the blessing that comes through His people. People like you and me. Each of us has an instinctual desire to be blessed, first by God the Father, and then by our parents, and to a lesser but still important degree by others with whom we are in meaningful relationships.

I pray that you have your need for blessing satiated by those significant people in your life who have the power to bless you, and I challenge you to be an instrument of blessing to those in your life who need and want to be blessed by you.

On one hand, everyone with whom you come in contact should be blessed by God through you. Then there are those people in your life for whom you are a singularly important person, essential to satisfy their need for blessing. These are individuals who are desperate for the blessing that you carry, and you have the wonderful privilege and solemn obligation to make certain their blessing-sized void is filled.

The giving of a blessing in some cases might be a unique, one-time act, but for most of us it should be a way of life. We can constantly bless those around us in a manner that ensures they never feel "unblessed."

Some of the ways in which you can bless someone include saying, "I love you. I am proud of you. You are a good person. God has great things in store for you. I pray for you."

Seek the blessing you need and want. And if you are in a relationship where you are the one who needs to bestow a blessing, offer it urgently and generously.

You may have someone in your life to whom you need to give your blessing in a formal way. Take advantage of some rite of passage or a life celebration, or even create some unique occasion to offer your blessing. Then follow the biblical pattern of laying your hands on that person or touching them in some other appropriate and meaningful way. Speak words that convey unconditional love and that express how much that person is valued. Be specific about some praiseworthy things that he or she has done and detail a positive quality you have observed. Speak in faith about good things you see for his or her future, and articulate ways you intend to act to help that future come to pass. Most importantly, invoke God's presence. Ultimately it is His blessing that people most desperately need.

Andrea CallesJanuary 17, 2023