The Bethel version of this song has become one of my favorites. I sing it almost every morning as a prayer over my family. We moved to Texas to build legacy with our family, and I call on God every day to bless my family to a thousand generations. When the churches in our home county in CA made this version of The Blessing, I was delighted.

Since then, I’ve seen versions of The Blessing from all over the world. It seems to be a word the Lord wants to get out this year.

This morning, as our church opened after three months of being shut down, we sang The Blessing. As we sang, the Lord took my mind to the many trouble spots in our nation. To Minneapolis, Washington, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago, Philadelphia, Columbus, Pittsburgh, Denver, Salt Lake City, Nashville and others. As I sang, I sang blessing over each of those cities. Over our nation. Over the unrest. Over the injustice and perceived injustice. Over the pain. Over the businesses that were looted and burned. Over the pain as the land cried out. My spirit sent the love of God, the shalom of God, to the nation.

I don’t harbor any thoughts that the prayers of one woman can impact the enormous pain our nation feels. I’m a powerful prayer warrior, but not that powerful. Even on Pentecost. But what would happen if we all prayed The Blessing over the land? What would happen if the churches in the troubled cities were to join forces and sing blessing over their city? What would happen if some even put boots on the ground and went into the hot spot, singing blessing, shalom, and love. Perhaps like a flash mob? Could blessing quell some of the anger?

Over the past three months of disruption, many of us have been asking what God wants to show us. Why did God allow this reset? What is the new normal supposed to look like? How is the Church, the ekklesia, to be different? Surely we aren’t to come out of the pandemic looking just the same.

Is it possible that God has allowed this time and even these events to strengthen the Church to advance the Kingdom? We haven’t done a great job of building the Kingdom as Jesus commanded us. Too much of the church has become a spectator church, having a form of godliness but denying the power (2 Timothy 3:5). We’ve become comfortable. And now we aren’t.

I’m convinced that God’s has used this time to sharpen us. To hone our ability to hear him. To obey quickly. To become less fearful. To learn to war with blessing rather than anger.

As you listen to The Blessing, sing God’s healing over our nation. Sing healing over the cities. Sing healing over the pain. Sing healing over injustice. Sing healing. Perhaps if we join our hearts and spirits in healing, we will make a difference. We will advance the Kingdom.