A community of hope
A community of blessing
By faith Isaac invoked blessings for the future on Jacob and Esau. By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, ‘bowing in worship over the top of his staff.’ By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave instructions about his burial.
Something to think about
At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, churches and denominations across the UK came together to record a video which was watched by millions. The song that touched so many people at a time of national crisis was not a song about grief, or fear. It wasn’t offering advice, rules or guidance. It didn’t aim to promote churches, or invite people on a course. Instead, the vocalists came together to sing a blessing.
For many people, blessing is nothing more than what you get after a sneeze. For others, it seems almost akin to a magical spell. In the Bible, it is simply a prayer offered in faith: a prayer for God’s goodness and kindness to be poured out over a person, community or place, knowing and trusting that God loves to do just that.
At the end of their lives, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph all looked to the future of their community and spoke blessing over it, reaffirming the promises of God who would not go back on his word. We can be people who speak and sing God’s blessing over our global community, trusting that our action and prayers will make a difference far beyond that which we live to see.
Something to do
Watch ‘The UK Blessing’ video and pray a blessing over Christian Aid staff, volunteers, partners and communities. You might like to picture any who you know personally, as you pray.