Our City

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what we could begin to see in our city if all the Christians began to bless the city. There are some already doing this and we invite all other Christians to join us!

Complaining comes naturally because we can “see” what’s wrong so we focus on that. To bless requires prayer, thought and wisdom. Blessing should flow from a position of love, never from control or manipulation. As Christians we are to be known by our love. If we love, we will bless, in speech and in deed.

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue,” Proverbs 18:21 says. So, I ask myself— “What am I speaking?” When we pay attention to what we say we begin to notice if it is life or death, complaining or blessing. What we say matters! If we are Christian, what we say should line up with who we say we are. 

We all understand what it is to complain. At one time or another we have all  expressed dissatisfaction, resentment or found fault. Let me just say, since we do live in a fallen world there is plenty of fault! It is everywhere! But just because it’s there doesn’t mean we have to help magnify it. 

But, what does it mean to bless? Simply put, it means to bestow good of any kind. Blessing is invoking GOD’s favor. Most people want those things for their family, city, church, etc. But is our speaking in line with what we desire from GOD or what we think will be. If this is what it means to bless, am I speaking blessing which is life-giving or complaining which is death. Really, am I bestowing good or invoking GOD’s favor? 

When we bless we don’t have our own agenda and expect GOD to do what we want. He is GOD and to have His favor we come into agreement with Him. As we see areas where we are complaining or are tempted to complain we must ask the LORD to show us ways to bless those situations. We may first have to forgive others and ask the LORD to forgive us of our resentments.

Here are a few examples to get us started:
Instead of complaining about leaders…… bless them with strong leadership skills, integrity and righteousness. It is up to them if they yield to the LORD, our part is to pray. The more people praying the more they are strengthened and encouraged to do the right thing. Leaders are on the front lines, under pressure, and are in desperate need of our prayers of blessing. 

Instead of complaining about that difficult relative…… bless them to receive the unconditional love of the LORD (and when it is up to us we respond to them in love), bless them with security , acceptance and peace. The more difficult a person is the more love they are in need of. Since GOD is love the best way to show Him to others is to love.

Instead of complaining about how awful the world is becoming…… bless your sphere of influence (where you live and work) with salvation, healing, restoration, hope. What are the areas of difficulty, what void do you detect? Begin to speak Life into that dark space. We do this because JESUS is Life and the Light of the world.

When we find ourselves complaining let’s stop and take time to pray, asking the LORD to see with His eyes. Think about the situation but from the positive rather than the negative. Last, but in no way least, ask for wisdom in how to bless. Remember, a blessing is stronger than a curse! There is power in our words! Bless everywhere you go!