Thursday Thought The Lord Bless & Keep You & All Those You Love
Real prayer isn't so much about changing God's mind, but about finding God's heart, and letting His heart change our minds — which changes our whole life!
-Ann Voskamp
The other day I met with one of my spiritual directees, and the conversation veered toward her two young adult daughters who are in a season of deconstructing their Christian faith. My friend said she sometimes hesitates to pray for her daughters because she’s afraid her prayers won’t be answered, and she doesn’t want to be disappointed again. Perhaps you know the feeling.
Without giving my words much thought, I said, “How about if you bless your girls BIG, and make your asks of God for them small?” This advice felt right to me at the time and resonated with my directee. She brightened and told me one daughter has begun a new business and needs clients. “I’m going to ask God to give her just two new clients,” she declared excitedly. Often, the more answers we see to small prayers, the bigger our trust in God grows, and as we gently let our loved ones know how we have been praying for them, they may see God’s loving thoughts toward them.
Sometimes when those we love seem to be wandering in the wilderness, we’re confused about how to pray. We know the outcome we’d like to see, yet we want God to do the work we know only He can do, even though we realize that may mean unpleasant circumstances for those we love so dearly, those we’d give our very life for.
After our spiritual direction session, I thought about this conversation, and my mind turned toward the ancient priestly blessing God gave Moses. This explanation by Joel Woodruff, Ed.D., president, C. S. Lewis Institute, seemed to support my suggestion. (https://www.cslewisinstitute.org/resources/the-blessing/)
“This ancient priestly blessing is given to Moses by God to speak over his brother, Aaron, the high priest, Aaron’s sons and the people of Israel around 1,400 – 1,200 B.C. They were in the midst of a challenging time of wilderness wanderings in preparation for their entrance into the Promised Land.
This beautiful blessing has been sung and passed on from generation to generation in Jewish homes and synagogues for over 3,000 years. Christians have also spoken this blessing from the early days of the church to the present day for 2,000 years.”
I love that this prayer is straight from the heart of God, aimed at imperfect, often rebellious people whom He still loved and longed to bless in the perfect way only God knows how to do. It is my prayer for you on this crisp Autumn Day!
The Lord bless you [and all those you love]
and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.
Blessings on your journey,
