CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 883

 “Bless the Lord”

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! (Psalm 103:1)

 I was convicted this week during my daily prayer time. I became keenly aware that my prayers had taken on a consistent character of complaining. Instead of worshipping God my time in prayer was more of worshipping self and the desires of my flesh that I lacked. Instead of seeking first His kingdom and righteousness I was seeking first my desires. As I repented, the Word of the Lord came to mind: Bless the Lord, O my soul…

What exactly does it mean to ‘Bless the Lord’? We use the word ‘bless’ in so many different connotations, some negative and some positive, that it is difficult to visualize the action conveyed by the verb, ‘bless’. The solution is found in the root word translated ‘bless’ and in the context that it is used.

From the Hebrew, the word ‘bless’ means to kneel. In the context of man blessing God it means to be humble before Him in adoration and worship. In the context of God blessing man it means God prospering man spiritually or materially. (1 Chronicles 4:10) From the Greek it means to speak well of; to praise. (James 3:9)

Kneeling is not commonplace in our society anymore unless it is part of a ritualized worship pattern. Our church worship services exhibit sitting and standing postures before God for the most part. Have you ever been in a worship service where the Spirit of the Lord was so palpable that people spontaneously knelt down at the altar, in the aisles, and in their pew? (Romans 14:11) That is blessing the Lord. That is when our prayers are worship and adoration and not selfish complaints about the desires of our flesh.

We fail to bless the Lord and fall into a ‘woe is me’ pattern of prayer when we forget what the Lord has done and is doing for us out of His steadfast love and perfect plan for our well-being. We fail to bless Him when we focus on what we don’t have rather than on what He has graciously provided for us.

 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Psalm 103:2-5)

 May your heart remain in the perfect peace that comes from a mind that is stayed upon God. (Isaiah 26:3) May your life be characterized by acceptable worship of the Lord, blessing Him in all circumstances as you acknowledge His sovereignty, goodness, and steadfast love for you. (Hebrews 12:28)

 But we will bless the Lord from this time forth and forevermore. Praise the Lord! (Psalm 115:18)