07-27-25 Blessings - Begin with prayer
5 Day Devotional
Day 1: Blessed to Be a Blessing
Devotional
Have you ever wondered why God blesses you? Is it just for your own happiness and comfort, or is there a greater purpose? From the very beginning of God's relationship with humanity, He made His intentions clear. When God called Abraham, He established a pattern that would echo throughout history: blessing flows outward.
God's blessings aren't meant to terminate with us. They're meant to flow through us to others. This was true for Abraham, and it remains true for us today. Every gift, talent, resource, and opportunity God gives us is intended not just for our benefit, but so that we can extend His goodness to the world around us.
This isn't just a nice suggestion—it's the fundamental purpose for which we were created and saved. When we embrace this purpose, we align ourselves with God's heart for the world and discover the true joy of being part of His redemptive story.
As you go through your day today, consider the blessings God has given you. How might those blessings become channels of God's love to others? Remember, you are positioned exactly where you are for a purpose greater than yourself.
Bible Verse
"I will bless you... and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." - Genesis 12:3
Reflection Question
What specific blessings has God given you that could become a blessing to someone else in your life today?
Quote
God blesses us so that we can be a blessing to others. That's the plan. That's always been the plan.
Prayer
Father, thank you for the countless ways you've blessed me. Open my eyes to see these blessings not just as gifts for me, but as resources to share with others. Help me to be a channel of your blessing today. Amen.
Day 2: Saved to Be Sent
Devotional
Salvation is a profound gift—freedom from sin, reconciliation with God, and the promise of eternal life. But have you considered that salvation isn't the end of your spiritual journey? It's actually just the beginning.
When we say yes to Jesus, we're not merely accepting a ticket to heaven. We're enlisting in His mission. We're joining His work of redemption in the world. This perspective transforms how we view our everyday lives. Suddenly, our neighborhoods, workplaces, and social circles become mission fields where God has strategically placed us.
This doesn't mean we all need to become overseas missionaries or full-time ministers. It means that whatever our vocation or location, we carry the presence of Jesus with us. We represent Him. We extend His love, grace, and truth to those around us.
Today, try viewing yourself not just as someone who has been saved, but as someone who has been sent. Look at the people in your life through this lens. God has positioned you in their lives for a purpose—to be His ambassador, to reflect His character, and to share His love.
Bible Verse
"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'" - Luke 10:25
Reflection Question
If you truly embraced the identity of being 'sent' by God, how might it change the way you interact with the people you'll encounter today?
Quote
If at any point you have said yes to Jesus, then you have not said yes just to being saved. You've said yes to being sent. Do you hear me when I say that? It's not just about being saved. You are blessed to be sent. You are part of this story. You are part of the mission of God. You are blessed to be a blessing.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for saving me. Help me to see that you've also sent me to be your hands and feet in this world. Give me courage to represent you faithfully today, and eyes to see the opportunities you place before me. Amen.
Day 3: The Power of Seeing Others
Devotional
In our busy lives, it's easy to pass by people without truly seeing them. We notice physical appearances, but miss the deeper reality of their lives—their joys, struggles, hopes, and fears. Yet truly seeing others is the first step toward loving them as Jesus commanded.
Remember the parable of the Good Samaritan? Both the priest and the Levite saw the injured man, but they didn't really see him—they didn't perceive his humanity and need. The Samaritan, however, saw with eyes of compassion. He recognized a fellow human being in distress, and that recognition moved him to action.
This kind of seeing doesn't happen naturally. Our default mode is self-focus, not other-focus. That's why prayer is so essential. When we pray for others, God begins to transform our vision. We start to see people as He sees them—as precious beings created in His image, loved beyond measure, and worth our time and attention.
Today, ask God to help you truly see the people around you. Look beyond surface appearances to the souls beneath. Notice the cashier's tired eyes, your colleague's distracted manner, your neighbor's lonely expression. These are windows into hearts that God loves deeply.
Bible Verse
"But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him." - Luke 10:33
Reflection Question
Who in your life might you be seeing but not truly seeing? How might prayer help you develop deeper compassion for this person?
Quote
Loving your neighbor begins with seeing them, right? It starts by seeing them and that begins with prayer. Because prayer is where compassion begins.
Prayer
God, forgive me for the times I've looked without seeing. Open my eyes to truly see the people you place in my path today. Help me to recognize their value and to respond with the compassion of Jesus. Amen.
Day 4: Prayer: The Heart-Softener
Devotional
We all have people in our lives who are difficult to love. Perhaps they've hurt us, or their values clash with ours, or their personalities simply rub us the wrong way. Our natural response is to maintain distance, nurse resentment, or simply remain indifferent. But God calls us to something higher.
Prayer is God's antidote to hardened hearts. When we pray for someone—especially by name—something remarkable happens. The walls we've built begin to crumble. The labels we've assigned start to fade. We begin to see beyond behaviors to the person God loves.
This transformation isn't just psychological—it's spiritual. As we bring others before God, His perspective gradually becomes our perspective. His compassion becomes our compassion. His love becomes our love.
This doesn't mean prayer instantly resolves all relationship difficulties. But it does mean that prayer creates space for God to work—both in the other person's life and in our own hearts. It's often said that prayer doesn't just change things; it changes us. And sometimes, that's the greater miracle.
Today, choose one person who is difficult for you to love. Commit to praying for them by name, asking God to bless them and reveal Himself to them.
Bible Verse
"But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." - Luke 10:27
Reflection Question
Is there someone in your life toward whom you feel indifferent or resentful? How might praying for this person by name begin to change your heart toward them?
Quote
You cannot actually pray for someone and still feel indifferent towards them. It's not possible. If you're genuinely praying for somebody, especially by name, you cannot keep feeling bitter or indifferent or anything towards them.
Prayer
Father, I bring before you [name the person who is difficult for you to love]. Bless them today. Draw them to yourself. Help them to know your love. And Lord, soften my heart toward them. Help me to see them as you see them. In Jesus' name, amen.
Day 5: Starting Small, Seeing Big
Devotional
When we hear about blessing others or participating in God's mission, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. We imagine grand gestures, perfect words, or dramatic life changes. But God's work often begins with small, faithful steps—especially in prayer.
Jesus himself modeled this pattern. Before every significant ministry moment, he prayed. Before choosing his disciples, he prayed. Before feeding the five thousand, he prayed. Before his crucifixion, he prayed. Prayer wasn't an afterthought for Jesus—it was the foundation of his mission.
The good news is that we can follow this pattern with just 30 seconds a day. That's right—just half a minute of focused prayer for someone who doesn't know Jesus can be the beginning of something beautiful. It might not feel significant, but consistent prayer, even brief prayer, opens doors for God to work in ways we can't imagine.
You might be thinking, "But I don't feel ready" or "I'm not good enough at this." None of us are. We're all learning, all growing, all failing sometimes. The key isn't perfection—it's persistence. It's showing up day after day, bringing those we care about before the throne of grace.
Today, make a list of five people in your life who don't know Jesus or are struggling spiritually. Commit to praying for them daily, even if just for 30 seconds each.
Bible Verse
"Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up." - Luke 10:36
Reflection Question
What small, consistent step of prayer could you commit to this week for someone who doesn't know Jesus?
Quote
If you can commit to beginning to pray for 30 seconds a day for people, I promise you something will happen. I promise you things will happen.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you that you don't require perfection from me—just faithfulness. Help me to be consistent in praying for those who don't know you. Use my simple prayers as part of your grand work of redemption. And help me to trust that you're working even when I can't see it. Amen.