For Everything a Blessing
I think my favorite chapter in this book was chapter 7, which says For Everything a Blessing.
Jewish Prayer Tradition
In Jesus' time, and even today, many Jewish people follow a tradition of offering short, specific prayers from the instant they wake up until they go to sleep. Many different activities in their lives have specific blessings for them to pray. As page 98 says, "The habit of continually blessing God teaches us to be ever mindful of how much God loves us and how continually he cares for us."
Daily Blessings
The authors add on pages 92 and 93 that Jewish life is saturated with prayer. A Jewish person in Jesus' time would have woken up to the crow of a rooster and said, "Blessed is he who gives the rooster understanding to distinguish between day and night." Opening their eyes, they would pray, "Blessed is he who opens the eyes of the blind." And then there would be a whole series of new prayers as they got dressed and prepared for the day.
We, too, have many opportunities to pray prayers of gratitude throughout the day. In fact, as the authors say on page 93, "Just walking outside presents many opportunities for blessing the Lord." When you see the first flowers budding on fruit trees each spring, you can say, "Blessed is he who did not omit anything from the world and created within it good creations and good trees for people to enjoy."
Praising God Always
Even in times of grief, Jewish people will praise God and say, "Blessed is he who is the true judge." I thought this was such a profound way to live—speaking blessings and praising God in every situation. Beginning everything with "Blessed is he" reminds you that it’s from God and that He deserves the glory.
In fact, in Luke 17, Jesus heals the ten lepers, and only one comes back. Luke says he blessed the Lord in a loud voice. The authors suggest he may have said something like this: "Blessed is he who does good to the undeserving and has rendered every kindness to me."
Friends, would you consider saying "Blessed is he" prayers everywhere you go? Have a cup of coffee: "Blessed is he who has given me many good things." Hear some thunder: "Blessed is he whose strength and power fills the world." After time spent with a friend: "Blessed is he who places good and wonderful people in my life."
Remember, Paul taught us to pray without ceasing, and maybe these blessing prayers can be a wonderful addition to our lives with Jesus.
