BIG OCTOBER BLESSINGS | Paul’s Prayers of Blessing
Thanks for joining me again for what I am calling “BIG October Blessings.” Today, we’ll explore some of the Apostle Paul’s blessings given in letters to his friends in different churches. I hope you will be blessed by both the words of scripture and some of my husband’s October photographs…
The church in Thessalonica, located in what is modern-day Greece, was comprised of both Jewish and Gentile converts, who experienced a great deal of hostility from their neighbors. Being a Christian during that time was filled with great persecution. Paul’s heartfelt blessing for peace “at all times and in every way” must have meant a great deal to the Thessalonians.
… I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
Ephesians 3:14-20 (NLT)
Ron found this heart-shaped rock on the beach of Lake McDonald in Montana. It reminds me of the wide, long, high, and deep love of God. This is a prayer of blessing I have personalized many times for myself and those I love.
“May the Master pour on the love so it fills your life and splashes over on everyone around you.”
1 Thessalonians 3:12 (MSG)
While visiting Ron’s sister and brother-in-law in Boise, Idaho, we spent some enjoyable time in the quaint neighboring town of Caldwell. Some creative people filled this vintage truck to overflowing with colorful pumpkins and burlap bags of Idaho potatoes. I love Paul’s blessing to his friends who were living in a difficult environment. There’s something contagious about a person so full of love that it splashes over on everyone who’s around them.
“May your love abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.”
Philippians 1:9-11, NIV
I love that Paul prayed God would bless his friends in Philippi with “knowledge and depth of insight.” Oh, how often I have asked God to help my loved ones or me discern the next best step to take. More than once, I have borrowed these words from Paul. I figure we can never go wrong when we pray God’s Word.
(About this photo, Ron got some beautiful photos a few years ago when he and my brother ventured into some rugged Idaho terrain. I’m not fond of heights, but I do appreciate looking at this magnificent October scene.)
BIG BLESSINGS of peace, power, wisdom, and love throughout October and beyond,
