The following are 6 of the genuine testimonies concerning situations or issues resolved after blessing.
Earlier this year the NZ Herald ran two stories - both road rage incidents. One was about an 81 year old man who had an altercation with a young man. I don’t remember who was right and who was wrong but it ended up with the angry young man talking to the elderly gentleman as he sat in the driver’s seat with his window open. The elderly man swore at the young man and gave him the benefit of his counsel and received a hard punch in the face in return. The man was severely hurt and traumatised and died a few weeks later.
The second incident, apparently a bus driver cut another driver off. The offended party swore at the bus driver who then called him a f——-g n——r. Big story in the Herald.
The disciple Peter wrote, “Don’t return reviling with reviling or cursing with cursing, but instead bless, because this is what you are called to do, and you will inherit a blessing.” I couldn’t help but think that if the older man had followed this advice he’d probably still be alive and if the man who suffered racial abuse had kept his mouth shut, he wouldn’t have been so deeply wounded.
Allow me to summarise the benefits of blessing those who provoke you:
1. When I bless someone who has offended me , I usually release the love of God, in the name of Jesus, to pursue and overtake him. I believe this happens.
2. I have moved from victim to being in control and have a good laugh. This cuts off the toxic feelings of anger and revenge.
3. I receive a blessing
That’s a good deal isn’t it?!
Richard
The second incident, apparently a bus driver cut another driver off. The offended party swore at the bus driver who then called him a f——-g n——r. Big story in the Herald.
The disciple Peter wrote, “Don’t return reviling with reviling or cursing with cursing, but instead bless, because this is what you are called to do, and you will inherit a blessing.” I couldn’t help but think that if the older man had followed this advice he’d probably still be alive and if the man who suffered racial abuse had kept his mouth shut, he wouldn’t have been so deeply wounded.
Allow me to summarise the benefits of blessing those who provoke you:
1. When I bless someone who has offended me , I usually release the love of God, in the name of Jesus, to pursue and overtake him. I believe this happens.
2. I have moved from victim to being in control and have a good laugh. This cuts off the toxic feelings of anger and revenge.
3. I receive a blessing
That’s a good deal isn’t it?!
Richard
Situations Changed Simply by Blessing
Could I possibly order a further 40 of your books? They have been so popular and there are still many people I would like to give them to.
I have had so many great testimonies from the people I have given the books to! Some of the people I know well have shared with me how they have been released from bitterness towards others, as they have started to bless them and the situations.
Also I thought you may like to know, that several home groups in ….. are now studying your book and working through it each week, which they are really enjoying. I have already had two meetings where I was invited to speak, and where I was able to share about the Power of Blessing and after gave each person a copy of your book.
It has been so amazing and I so appreciate your wonderful teaching in the book, it is very powerful. When I received the first copy of your book and read it, I began speaking blessing over my daughter who had a terrible skin condition, and since that time, her skin has been amazing!
I hope all of this really encourages and blesses you.
Joy
Could I possibly order a further 40 of your books? They have been so popular and there are still many people I would like to give them to.
I have had so many great testimonies from the people I have given the books to! Some of the people I know well have shared with me how they have been released from bitterness towards others, as they have started to bless them and the situations.
Also I thought you may like to know, that several home groups in ….. are now studying your book and working through it each week, which they are really enjoying. I have already had two meetings where I was invited to speak, and where I was able to share about the Power of Blessing and after gave each person a copy of your book.
It has been so amazing and I so appreciate your wonderful teaching in the book, it is very powerful. When I received the first copy of your book and read it, I began speaking blessing over my daughter who had a terrible skin condition, and since that time, her skin has been amazing!
I hope all of this really encourages and blesses you.
Joy
The Circumstances Changed in Two Days
I have been given this little book you wrote, and would like to get some more. It has been a real treasure to understand more fully the whole purpose and place for us to bless others.
We have always used it so freely but without fully appreciating its power - used in the right way. I have found changes in different circumstances which are quite difficult and some have been truly wonderful. The latest being my daughter was waiting for 4-12 months for a hospital appointment. The thought of waiting a year was most depressing. As symptoms started getting worse I set about to bless all the circumstances around her situation, doctors, specialists, timing etc. She got worse again, then saw her doctor who immediately spoke with the department concerned for an urgent appointment. This all happened in 2 days….
Judy
I have been given this little book you wrote, and would like to get some more. It has been a real treasure to understand more fully the whole purpose and place for us to bless others.
We have always used it so freely but without fully appreciating its power - used in the right way. I have found changes in different circumstances which are quite difficult and some have been truly wonderful. The latest being my daughter was waiting for 4-12 months for a hospital appointment. The thought of waiting a year was most depressing. As symptoms started getting worse I set about to bless all the circumstances around her situation, doctors, specialists, timing etc. She got worse again, then saw her doctor who immediately spoke with the department concerned for an urgent appointment. This all happened in 2 days….
Judy
This Book is a Blessing Given to East Africa
You are a blessing to East Africa. All 10,000 books have been distributed to people in parts of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Eastern Congo and there is still a huge demand for more books.
Some people have given me their testimonies of how they have applied the principles from the book to their situations and how God has moved to bring the blessing and that really encourages me. One pastor tells me that he often grumbled because of the small offering the congregation gave on Sundays but when he started blessing the congregation with regards to their income, the offering has increased and the small congregation is now growing bigger.
One woman whose husband has been a drunk kept cursing him when he came home late and dead drunk. She says that when she read the book and started having a different perspective of her husband, she begun to bless him to be what God intended for him. Now the husband doesn't drink as much as he used to and he quite often comes home early. The quarreling has stopped and she praises the Lord for honouring the blessing she has been speaking to her husband.
A few people told me they will write to you to say how the book has blessed them. I wonder if they have done so.
I look forward to seeing you in Kenya in November/ December for the Generals.
Blessings to you.
Bishop Michael (Kenya)
You are a blessing to East Africa. All 10,000 books have been distributed to people in parts of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Eastern Congo and there is still a huge demand for more books.
Some people have given me their testimonies of how they have applied the principles from the book to their situations and how God has moved to bring the blessing and that really encourages me. One pastor tells me that he often grumbled because of the small offering the congregation gave on Sundays but when he started blessing the congregation with regards to their income, the offering has increased and the small congregation is now growing bigger.
One woman whose husband has been a drunk kept cursing him when he came home late and dead drunk. She says that when she read the book and started having a different perspective of her husband, she begun to bless him to be what God intended for him. Now the husband doesn't drink as much as he used to and he quite often comes home early. The quarreling has stopped and she praises the Lord for honouring the blessing she has been speaking to her husband.
A few people told me they will write to you to say how the book has blessed them. I wonder if they have done so.
I look forward to seeing you in Kenya in November/ December for the Generals.
Blessings to you.
Bishop Michael (Kenya)
Interesting Notes from a Pastor in the US
Please know that your Blessing Book has forever changed me and how I do ministry & is changing the face of the congregation that I lead.
As I write this I just finished my "Blessing Ministry" for the day. I have a 3x5 card made individually for most of the people that come to church either regularly or semi-regularly. I have a standard blessing for each one of them, "The Lord bless you (or continue to...), keep you, protect you, lead you, provide for you, heal you, and give you peace." I pray that blessing individually (or almost individually) over the folks 6 days out of 7. It takes 25-30 minutes to go through the prayer cards.
I then I usually say a second individualized blessing for each person. I have found Ephesians 2:10 to be a good one, "The Lord reveal (continue to...) the good work which God has prepared in advance for you to do." Another regular blessing comes from 2 Peter 3:18, "The Lord work in you (or continue to...) to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ." Another basic blessing comes from Romans 5:2 of the Living Bible, "The Lord work in you (continue to...) to become all that God had in mind for you to be." One other blessing I pray comes from Philippians 1:6, "The Lord who began a good work in you carry it on to completion..."
And for the senior folks who have faithfully followed the Lord for many years, I've adapted Ruth 2:12 & pray, "May the Lord reward you fully for all of the good work which you have done." For children (and for my own 4 year old daughter) I pray Luke 2:52, "Lord, may ________ grow in wisdom, and stature, and in favor with God and man."
There are some other blessings, but for me, these seem to be the blessings that I feel most comfortable praying. I also have a blessing for a young married gal who has not been able to have children so far, "The Lord bless (continue to bless...) your womb so that you will be fruitful and multiply."
I have sensed that any negative type of phrasing should be avoided - even if it's just a very little bit of negative. Any negative at all seems to void the blessing. Also, I have been surprised by the fast "response time" that I have seen in praying blessings upon others. It's as if the Lord is ready to lunge out in love towards people if we will but release the prayers of blessings on them.
Richard, all I can say is that I sense/feel God's smile upon me as I'm blessing people. Also, since doing it regularly I have seen the hearts of people change in the church - and in a fairly short amount of time. Yesterday, in fact, we had the biggest crowd in church that we've had in quite some time, and we had people at the altar for prayer time - and even some young people - and that for us/me is so encouraging.
One quick testimony: Maybe 2 months ago I sensed the Lord saying to me, "Pray the Ephesians 2:10 for an unmarried gal who has very bad cerebral palsy and who also has a 1 year old child.) I thought to myself, "Lord, what ministry can she do?" Well, lo & behold, she got married last week to the father of the child - and they both (all 3) came to church on Sunday. I couldn't help but think that now her great ministry is taking care of her family - and that IS a great ministry! Forgive me, Lord for doubting!
I have also sensed God's pleasure & favour upon me when I pray, "Let there be peace & prosperity in Jerusalem." Since that is the city where God's heart is - it makes sense that He would bless those who say prayer of blessing on the city.
Again, Richard, thank you from bottom of my heart.
Pastor Darrin (USA)
Please know that your Blessing Book has forever changed me and how I do ministry & is changing the face of the congregation that I lead.
As I write this I just finished my "Blessing Ministry" for the day. I have a 3x5 card made individually for most of the people that come to church either regularly or semi-regularly. I have a standard blessing for each one of them, "The Lord bless you (or continue to...), keep you, protect you, lead you, provide for you, heal you, and give you peace." I pray that blessing individually (or almost individually) over the folks 6 days out of 7. It takes 25-30 minutes to go through the prayer cards.
I then I usually say a second individualized blessing for each person. I have found Ephesians 2:10 to be a good one, "The Lord reveal (continue to...) the good work which God has prepared in advance for you to do." Another regular blessing comes from 2 Peter 3:18, "The Lord work in you (or continue to...) to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ." Another basic blessing comes from Romans 5:2 of the Living Bible, "The Lord work in you (continue to...) to become all that God had in mind for you to be." One other blessing I pray comes from Philippians 1:6, "The Lord who began a good work in you carry it on to completion..."
And for the senior folks who have faithfully followed the Lord for many years, I've adapted Ruth 2:12 & pray, "May the Lord reward you fully for all of the good work which you have done." For children (and for my own 4 year old daughter) I pray Luke 2:52, "Lord, may ________ grow in wisdom, and stature, and in favor with God and man."
There are some other blessings, but for me, these seem to be the blessings that I feel most comfortable praying. I also have a blessing for a young married gal who has not been able to have children so far, "The Lord bless (continue to bless...) your womb so that you will be fruitful and multiply."
I have sensed that any negative type of phrasing should be avoided - even if it's just a very little bit of negative. Any negative at all seems to void the blessing. Also, I have been surprised by the fast "response time" that I have seen in praying blessings upon others. It's as if the Lord is ready to lunge out in love towards people if we will but release the prayers of blessings on them.
Richard, all I can say is that I sense/feel God's smile upon me as I'm blessing people. Also, since doing it regularly I have seen the hearts of people change in the church - and in a fairly short amount of time. Yesterday, in fact, we had the biggest crowd in church that we've had in quite some time, and we had people at the altar for prayer time - and even some young people - and that for us/me is so encouraging.
One quick testimony: Maybe 2 months ago I sensed the Lord saying to me, "Pray the Ephesians 2:10 for an unmarried gal who has very bad cerebral palsy and who also has a 1 year old child.) I thought to myself, "Lord, what ministry can she do?" Well, lo & behold, she got married last week to the father of the child - and they both (all 3) came to church on Sunday. I couldn't help but think that now her great ministry is taking care of her family - and that IS a great ministry! Forgive me, Lord for doubting!
I have also sensed God's pleasure & favour upon me when I pray, "Let there be peace & prosperity in Jerusalem." Since that is the city where God's heart is - it makes sense that He would bless those who say prayer of blessing on the city.
Again, Richard, thank you from bottom of my heart.
Pastor Darrin (USA)
Blessing Instead of Complaining
I was given your book by someone who went to Promise Keepers and I have started blessing people and situations instead of complaining. It feels so much better, if anything, to know that I am speaking good into the situation.
I have a group of ladies who meet once a week and would like to get some books for them. Please tell me where I can get some more? Click here
Paula
I was given your book by someone who went to Promise Keepers and I have started blessing people and situations instead of complaining. It feels so much better, if anything, to know that I am speaking good into the situation.
I have a group of ladies who meet once a week and would like to get some books for them. Please tell me where I can get some more? Click here
Paula