p. 16 | Praying for Blessings

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Dec 27, 1905

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 52.

Praying for Blessings

Praying for Blessings.—Most of those who pray for blessings desire some tangible benefit, something which makes peaceful and happy, something which will affect the feelings, the sensuous life. The feeling comes first, when it ought not to be considered at all. Our English word "bless" goes back in its origin to blood. It touched the idea of sacrifice, of consecration. It took hold of the life. To be blessed was to be consecrated, to be sprinkled with the blood, to be dedicated to God and accepted of Him. This is a blessing which all may claim. It will bring joy and happiness, and they will be the effect, not the blessing; the fruitage, not the tree. O Christian brother and sister, let us seek for this blessing in the year to come.