The Communion of the Saints with God
From Genesis to Revelation, the Scriptures reveal a sacred pattern: God speaks, and man responds. That response is often voiced through prayer. The blessings of God, freely given, are poured out in response to humble communion. The Bible is not merely a record of human history. It is a divine dialogue. In it we find men and women who bowed their heads in prayer and lifted their eyes to Heaven, receiving promises, peace, and power. It is here that we begin to understand both the mystery and majesty of prayer and blessing.
Prayer is not a formula, nor is blessing a coincidence. Both are ordained by God.
“Blessed be the Lord, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications.” (Psalm 28:6)
The connection is unmistakable. God hears prayer. God gives blessing. The believer who walks in this truth does not treat prayer as ritual or blessing as random. He sees both as rooted in the character of God and revealed in His Word.
Abraham: The Man Who Believed and Was Blessed
One of the first great blessings in Scripture comes in response to faith and obedience. God called Abram out of Ur, and with that calling came a promise:
“And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing.” (Genesis 12:2)
This was not just a temporal blessing. It was a covenant, extending through generations, fulfilled ultimately in Christ. Abraham’s faith was not empty. It was expressed through prayer and fellowship with God.
“And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” (Genesis 15:6)
The path to blessing was not ease but obedience. Prayer drew him near. Blessing followed from God’s own hand.
Moses: Interceding Before the Glory
When Moses communed with God upon Mount Sinai, he did so as an intercessor. Israel had sinned greatly, yet Moses sought the mercy of God. His prayer was direct and reverent:
“Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.” (Exodus 32:32)
Here we see a holy pattern. Prayer is not always asking for personal comfort. It is often standing in the gap. Moses prayed not for himself, but for the people. And what did God do?
“And the Lord repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.” (Exodus 32:14)
The intercessor moved the heart of God because he prayed according to His will.
David: Prayers Birthed in Worship
The Psalms are filled with David’s prayers. They are rich with blessing, flowing from a heart that both feared and loved God. In times of distress, he prayed. In seasons of joy, he praised. In every case, the blessing of God was near.
“I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.” (Psalm 3:4)
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul.” (Psalm 23:1–3)
David’s blessings were not found in the throne he occupied, but in the Lord he served. His prayers were honest. His worship was fervent. And God’s favor rested upon him.
“Thou hast given him his heart’s desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips.” (Psalm 21:2)
Solomon: A Prayer for Wisdom and Its Reward
When Solomon was made king, he did not ask for riches or long life. He asked for wisdom to lead God’s people. His request was heard, and blessing abounded:
“Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad.” (1 Kings 3:9)
God responded:
“Because thou hast asked this thing… I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart.” (1 Kings 3:11–12)
Prayer was met with blessing. And the source was divine. Solomon would later write:
“The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.” (Proverbs 10:22)
This was not worldly wealth. It was Heaven’s approval.
Elijah: Prayers That Shut and Opened the Heavens
Elijah’s prayers were marked by power, but their strength lay in their alignment with God’s will.
“Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.” (James 5:17)
“And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.” (James 5:18)
These were not magical acts. They were responses from Heaven to a man who walked in faith and obedience. The blessing of answered prayer was real, not symbolic.
Jesus: The Blessing and the Blesser
The life of Jesus was marked by constant prayer and perfect blessing. Before calling His disciples, He prayed. Before going to the cross, He prayed. And He often spoke words of blessing over others.
“And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.” (Luke 6:20)
His high priestly prayer in John 17 reveals His heart toward those who belong to Him:
“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (John 17:17)
He prayed not only for the twelve, but for all who would believe. The blessing He pronounced was spiritual, eternal, and secured by His obedience to the Father.
Paul: Blessings Rooted in the Gospel
The Apostle Paul’s epistles are filled with prayers and blessings for the churches. These were not mere formalities. They were Spirit-filled declarations grounded in the finished work of Christ.
“Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:2)
He prayed for strength, for wisdom, and for love to abound in the hearts of believers.
“That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man.” (Ephesians 3:16)
These prayers were not self-focused. They were Christ-centered, always pointing back to the glory of God and the power of the gospel.
The Church: Continuing in Prayer and Blessing
From the earliest days, the church has continued steadfast in prayer.
“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:42)
And what was the result?
“And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.” (Acts 2:43)
The pattern holds. Prayer precedes blessing. Obedience invites favor. And the glory is always God’s alone. In every age, the people of God are called to pray, and the blessings of God continue to flow — spiritual, eternal, and according to His purpose.
The Blessing of Knowing God
True blessing is not found in things but in the presence of God. And prayer is the appointed means of communion with Him.
“The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee.” (Numbers 6:24–25)
This was the blessing given by God to Moses for the people of Israel. It remains the cry of the heart that walks in humble reverence before the Lord. Every true blessing comes from Him. Every true prayer is heard by Him. Let us be a people who know how to pray and who recognize blessing when it comes.
“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” (Jeremiah 33:3)
The prayers and blessings in the Bible are not distant relics. They are divine invitations. Let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.” (Psalm 41:13)