Devotionals by Dr. James Dobson
The Blessing
“I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.”
Isaiah 44:3
Author Bruce Wilkinson and his son, David, were sitting quietly in Bruce’s living room. Suddenly David spoke up. “Dad, will you bless me?” Surprised, Bruce said, “David, you know I do bless you.” “No, Dad,” David said. “I want you to really bless me.” David stood up, walked to his father’s chair, and knelt in front of him.
Bruce was stunned, but also filled with a tremendous desire to answer his son’s request. He put his hands on David’s shoulders and began to pray—for David’s mind, health, interests, and skills, for his friendships and work, for his dreams, for every part of his life. Bruce didn’t stop until he was sure his son not only was blessed, but also felt blessed. Both father and son now say that moment deepened their relationship and gave David a new sense of spiritual confidence.
Some children spend their entire lives striving for the love, acceptance, and blessing of their parents. They suspect that their parents love them and are praying for them, yet they’ve never encountered a tangible example of this heartfelt affection and support.
Don’t let your children go through life without a blessing. Kneel down with them today and pray for the Lord’s abundance and mercy to be with them always.
Before you say good night…
- Do your children feel blessed by you?
- In what specific areas do your children need blessing?
- Should you establish a tradition of regularly blessing your kids?
Lord, You are the Fountain and Source of every blessing. May Your blessing upon our lives flow through us to the children You have given us. Help us bless them in a way that will bring confidence, peace, and joy to their hearts. Amen.
Illustration adapted from The Prayer of Jabez Devotionalby Bruce Wilkinson with David Kopp (Sisters, Ore.: Multnomah Publishers, Inc., 2001).
Listen to today's broadcast of Dr. James Dobson's Family Talk at OnePlace.com. For more from Dr. Dobson, visit the resource center at drjamesdobson.org.
This devotional is taken from Night Light for Parents. Copyright © 2000 by James Dobson, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
About Family Talk
Family Talk is a Christian non-profit organization located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Founded in 2010 by Dr. James Dobson, the ministry promotes and teaches biblical principles that support marriage, family, and child-development. Since its inception, Family Talk has served millions of families with broadcasts, monthly newsletters, feature articles, videos, blogs, books and other resources available on demand via its website, mobile apps, and social media platforms.
The Dr. James Dobson Family Institute (JDFI) is a Christian non-profit ministry located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Founded initially as Family Talk in 2010 by Dr. James Dobson, the organization promotes and teaches biblical principles that support marriage, family, and child development. Since its inception, Family Talk has served families with broadcasts, monthly newsletters, feature articles, videos, blogs, books, and other resources available on demand via their website, mobile apps, and social media platforms. In 2017, the ministry rebranded under JDFI to expand its four core ministry divisions consisting of the Family Talk radio broadcast, the Dobson Policy and Education Centers, and the Dobson Digital Library.
Dr. Dobson's flagship broadcast called, “Dr. James Dobson’s Family Talk," is aired on more than 1,500 terrestrial radio outlets and numerous digital channels that reach millions each month.
About Dr. James Dobson
Dr. James Dobson is the Founder Chairman of the James Dobson Family Institute, a nonprofit organization that produces his radio program, “Dr. James Dobson's Family Talk.” He has an earned Ph.D. from the University of Southern California and holds 18 honorary doctoral degrees. He is the author of more than 70 books dedicated to the preservation of the family including, The New Dare to Discipline, Love for a Lifetime, Life on the Edge, Love Must Be Tough, The New Strong-Willed Child, When God Doesn't Make Sense, Bringing Up Boys, Bringing Up Girls, and, most recently, Your Legacy: The Greatest Gift. Dr. Dobson served as an associate clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of Southern California School of Medicine for 14 years and on the attending staff of Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles for 17 years in the divisions of Child Development and Medical Genetics. He has advised five U.S. presidents and served on eight national commissions. Dr. Dobson has been married to Shirley for 64 years, and they have two grown children, Danae and Ryan, and two grandchildren.
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