A Simple Blessing: The Extraordinary Power of an Ordinary Prayer

by Michael W. Smith, Thomas Williams (Contributor)

Something wonderful and life-changing has been happening at Michael W. Smith's concerts. Recently he began closing the evening with a simple prayer of blessing woven from Scripture. The response has been overwhelming. The emails and letters of testimony are like nothing he has ever experienced in his 25 years of ministry. Far from being a 'magical' formula for extracting wealth and possessions from God, he has discovered that God's blessings are measured more by the flourishing of character in adversity than by the flourishing of stuff. The amazing result of God's true blessing is overflowing joy and peace. Unfortunately, many are robbed of the promise of blessing because they seek to be blessed more than to bless others. This beautiful work, written with writer Thomas Williams, will inspire readers to examine their hearts and learn to experience God's blessing as they seek to bless others, thus discovering the secret to drawing near to the heart of God.

Genres: Christian, Prayer, Religion

176 pages, Hardcover

First published February 4, 2011

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Michael Whitaker Smith is an American contemporary Christian musician.
He is the winner of multiple Grammy Awards and over 40 Dove Awards.

Reviews

[Susan Barnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Michael W. Smith is a Christian musician who travels the world performing concerts. In his travels more and more he found himself listening to people facing many of the problems that are rampant in Western culture—divorce, bankruptcy, addictions. It seemed that being a Christian wasn't making a difference because Christians have bought into the self-gratification thinking of their day. Although Smith was happy to pray for people, he began wondering if there was more he could be doing. He decided to start praying a blessing at the end of his concerts. He knew that praying in public was not a more effective way to pray but hoped that those being prayed for would realign themselves with more godly values.

Smith was surprised at the response to his prayer of blessings as people were being touched and helped in larger numbers that he ever anticipated. As a response he has put together this short book, A Simple Blessing: The Extraordinary Power of an Ordinary Prayer, with the help of Thomas Williams. The book is easy to read and explains each of the statements in the prayer adding more details and the change of focus Smith is hoping to achieve in his readers.

Smith is at pains to explain there is no magic in the prayer. It is about our heart attitude. Do we want to renew our thinking and readjust our lives to the priorities and values of the Bible? Do we want to be channels of God's blessings rather than just stagnating lakes?

A thought provoking read.

[Ktmattison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this the year it came out. It's really changed the way I think about blessings, and has even changed a lot of my prayer life.

I'm currently re-reading this book only about a year after finishing it... that's how much I liked it =)

[Rebecca Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this book. Michael really is an amazing & inspiring person. After I read this, I felt so blessed & peaceful & it makes me want to be a better person.

[Lynne Vanderveen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful...thought-provoking...inspiring. I appreciate Smith's insight and message.

[bruce davidson]

excellent read. quite enjoyed

[Lance Dreher]

Inspiring...I plan on reading it again.

[Eileen Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful thought provoking

[Zabdiel David Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

En una época donde hablar de la bendiciones puede resultar una frivolidad o suena a un cuento de las mil y una noches —aquel de una lámpara maravillosa—, este reconocido cantautor nos trae sus reflexiones, bastante centrado y pertinente.

Mi esposa y yo seguimos desde hace mucho la carrera de «Smitty». Es grato encontrarnos con un artista bien madurado, preocupado por una sana dieta espiritual, sensible a las necesidades de la gente, y sin temor de denunciar los excesos del cristianismo occidental. Su faceta de ”old man“ —perdí la cuenta de sus nietos— es inevitable en esta obra de 6 capítulos.

Cuando eres padre de familia te interesas en estos temas cotidianos: manejo del tiempo y el dinero, la educación de los niños. En este libro trata de cómo procurar la bendición de Dios es cada área, pero de ninguna manera es uno de esos ”Tres pasos para alcanzar esto“ o ”Cinco claves infalibles para lograr aquello“. Es una disertación honesta sobre lo que el autor ha visto y vivido en su caminar de fe.

Cada capítulo va enlazando una idea dentro de «La oración de bendición» (comparable a «La oración de Jabes» pero diferente, más sustancioso temáticamente hablando). La extensión de los capítulos hace al libro muy accesible para el hombre posmoderno siempre ocupado.

No es sobre teología o auto superación, es más bien una charla con un viejo amigo, bien resumida en estas líneas: ”[Dios] quiere bendecirte. Y quiere que bendigas a otros mediante los dones que te ha dado. Esa es la única manera de cumplir tus sueños y visiones.”

Lo único perturbante es la traducción (unas pocas veces). De resto es una lectura muy refrescante, un libro que vale la pena releer y regalar.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Singer, songwriter, Michael W. Smith shares about his long standing career, his marriage and his 12th book which, he “stumbled” onto by speaking words of blessing and encouragement over his audiences at the conclusion of each concert. An insightful, encouraging, and helpful concept.

The Book A Simple Blessing: The Extraordinary Power of an Ordinary Prayer is available in bookstores or online. (Zondervan)

http://www.cbn.com/media/player/index...

I added some pictures with Nedra, me and Smitty.

[Kristen Lester · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very slow to start out for me but quickly picked up where I could track with Michael W. Smith.

This book is basically a work a benediction. Michael W. Smith has written this book on the blessing he provides at the end of his concerts, and people's reaction to it. Michael also provides insight into his blessing, including the biblical foundations from which he speaks. Michael also speaks with humility, a rare trait amongst all of the "feel good" books out these days.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the most amazing book and I can't wait to read it again! I loaned it to a friend to read and he's ordering a case to hand out to all of his family and friends! A simple blessing made me feel so good. Michael W. Smith clearly writes from his heart and his personal experience and is quite touching.

[susieqlaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book about blessings is written by Michael W. Smith. Close to the beginning of the book is the Prayer of Saint Francis, one of my all time favorites. I enjoyed reading Michael W. Smith's book about prayers, blessings, and his religious views.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book by a great Christian artist. I am on my second time through. It just makes you feel good.