We must always treasure the freedom we have to worship and pray freely in our homes and churches. We don’t want to ever take that privilege for granted. It’s also vital to remember that God should be the focus of our Sabbath. We can easily get caught up in making Sunday more about how we look and present ourselves, but Jesus is looking for a contrite and open heart ready to receive his Spirit through songs, scriptures, sermons, prayers, and fellowship with other worshipers.
Experiencing praise and prayer before we even begin the day, and especially before we leave for church, puts our heart, mind, and spirit ready and open to receive what the Lord has planned for our Sabbath.
For those who aren’t able to attend church in person, a time of blessings and prayers can set the mood and trajectory for the entire day!
“Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. . . .For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.” Ex. 20:8-11 NLT
3 Sunday Morning Blessings
Typically, blessings are considered as a source of happiness and goodness for those who love and fear the Lord, but we can also bestow blessings on others in hopes that they too will be filled with the same joy and happiness we receive from God as believers.
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Eph. 1:3 NLT
God has provided tangible ways for us to feel blessed and be a blessing.
1. Worship Music Blessings
Start your Sabbath morning by playing praise music in your home and keep it going as you drive in the car to church. Satan and his emissaries cannot be in the same space with the sound and lyrics of praise music, which is why church services usually begin with a time of worship through song. So let the praise music sweep through your home filling every room and heart and you’ll soon find yourself humming or singing along.
It’s almost impossible to be upset or stressed when praise music blessings are floating through your mind and spirit. When you turn your worries into worship, God will turn your battles into blessings. A life of worship and praise is a life of joy and peace.
I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High. Ps. 9:1-2 NLT
Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. Ps. 100:1-2 NLT
2. Food and Aroma Blessings
Blessings can be material as well as spiritual or both. It’s always a joy to wake up, maybe literally, smelling the coffee or the aroma of something cooking in the kitchen. A Sunday morning breakfast with family favorite foods starts the day off right. If there are young children, or even older kids, in the family, popping in the oven muffins or easy-bake quick cinnamon rolls makes everyone happy.
Growing up, Sunday was homemade waffle day at our house. Since waffles from scratch take time to prepare, we had them as brunch after church. I have fond memories of Sundays learning how to make waffles and enjoying them with my family. I still own the family waffle maker and it blesses me to reminisce about this Sunday tradition.
Today, it might be frozen waffles in the toaster for a quick meal on paper plates, but the family is fed and that’s what’s important.
Give us today the food we need. Matt. 6:11 NLT
3. Family of God Blessings
When our church closed for a few weeks during the pandemic, I was overwhelmed with emotion when we walked back into church again and were able to worship and fellowship with our church family. The Holy Spirit’s presence was palpable. I feel the same intensity of the Spirit now every Sunday morning as the church family greets each other with smiles, hugs, and conversation.
Especially if you’re living alone, what a blessing to know that you have brothers and sisters in Christ who care about you and you for them. God created us for fellowship!
As you get ready for church, ask God who he wants you to be a blessing to today. Who might need a hug, a prayer, or a listening ear? Remember the refrain from the old hymn: Make me a blessing— Out of my life May Jesus shine; Make me a blessing, O Savior I pray, Make me a blessing to someone today!
For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.” Matt. 18:20 NLT
photo credit: Getty images
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