We all know the story of Jabez pretty well. His birth was a painful one, so his mother cursed him and gave him a name that means ‘he who causes sorrow’. But Jabez flipped the curse by asking the Lord, ‘Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me…’ 1 Chronicle 4:10a
We also know the story of Job pretty well. He had everything he wanted and needed, and overnight it all got taken away from him. He grieved, questioned God, and listened to all his friends’ reasoning. And yet he said, ‘Blessed be the name of the Lord.’
God blesses us, and in return, we get to bless Him as well. How do we do that? By surrendering what we don’t understand, by giving up our right to understand and receive answers. When we choose to press into His presence and still worship Him – that’s the highest form of blessing that we can give the Lord.
We also have the honour of blessing our leaders. Our leaders also need our prayers and encouragement. Just because they are in a position of leadership, doesn’t mean they don’t have needs or desires. We have been taught to just take and take from our leaders, but as sons and daughters, we have the unique inheritance of being enabled to pray for all around us – our leaders included.
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