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Bless and Be Blessed: How Your Words Can Make a Difference
"When you bless," says Peter Lord, "dramatic, miraculous changes take place."
In Bless and Be Blessed, this author and pastor shares how we often neglect to bless others until after death. But it is much more useful to give a good or well-meaning word to our loved ones while they are still alive. Coworkers, children, spouses, and friends all need uplifting messages when they can hear, receive, and be transformed by them.
With wisdom, personal anecdotes, and hands-on exercises, Lord teaches readers everything they need to know to deliver powerful words with life-changing impact today. He discusses the scriptural basis for blessing others, describes how readers can receive their own blessing from God, and teaches them to weave the practice of blessing into their everyday lives.
In Bless and Be Blessed, this author and pastor shares how we often neglect to bless others until after death. But it is much more useful to give a good or well-meaning word to our loved ones while they are still alive. Coworkers, children, spouses, and friends all need uplifting messages when they can hear, receive, and be transformed by them.
With wisdom, personal anecdotes, and hands-on exercises, Lord teaches readers everything they need to know to deliver powerful words with life-changing impact today. He discusses the scriptural basis for blessing others, describes how readers can receive their own blessing from God, and teaches them to weave the practice of blessing into their everyday lives.
141 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2004
16 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 5, 2008
Pastor Lord really brought into a new light - how we need to bless and love on people while they're still alive. We need to bless them and thank them --- let them know exactly how important they are to us and how thankful that they're in our lives.
September 8, 2025
The ministry of Peter M. Lord, like the preaching of Adrian Rogers, has been a blessing over the years. So, when I discovered that I missed the 2004 publication of Bless and Be Blessed by the former with introduction by the latter, I immediately ordered it. Bless and Be Blessed is an encouraging devotional book. It is not an in-depth study of blessing in the Bible; one needs Claus Westermann’s Blessing in the Bible and the Life of the Church for that.
Nonetheless, Blessed and Be Blessed is more accessible than the Westermann classic. It is like a cleverly packaged series of topical sermons. It doesn’t deal with the cited scriptures in context, but it presents a plan of action. It is very much an application-centered book. One should not underestimate it, however, As Lord himself notes in his four things to remember about blessing, blessing is simple, but simple isn’t necessarily easy (the first two principles on p. 122). In typical application-heavy sermon fashion, he moves from seven alliteratively listed ways to “bless,” loosely based on Hebrews 3:13’s admonition to encourage others daily: appreciation, acceptance, approval, affection, attention, affirmation, admiration (pp. 28-29). This he underscores in his last of the four principles on p. 122: compliments almost never hurt and changing lifestyles requires immediate application and reinforcing practice.
I found myself pleased that the book drew from the Catholic spiritual wisdom of Henri Nouwen on one side (“The blessed cannot help but bless others” cited from his Life of the Beloved on p. 87) and the Protestant spiritual wisdom of Watchman Nee on another (“God will back and bless whatever He initiates>’ cited from his Release of the Spirit on p. 73). I found myself disappointed with the implied prejudice to be found when he writes: “There is a real ADD—attention deficit disorder—in human relationships.” (p. 42) This suggests the old canard that there is no such disorder and that those who experience what was called ADD and is now called ADHD is merely a lack of discipline (self or otherwise). Such a stance is willful ignorance. Fortunately, that is the only thing in the book with which I was horrified.
Having stated my objection, let me affirm the rest of the book. I was personally challenged (being a person who hates being leashed to my cell phone) that being constantly connected “…makes it imperative that we be turned to the prodding of the Holy Spirit about the needs of others. When he brings people to mind, we can immediately phone them and give them a blessing.” (p. 125) With God’s help, I’ll work on that. The biggest blessing (word play intended) in this book was this observation: “Often in prayer the Holy Spirit will let you see people as God sees them. You can then bless them with this revelation of God for them and their future.” (p. 136)
I recommend Blessed and Be Blessed as a book for pastoral care and discipleship training. It is not the type of Bible study on the subject in which I hoped to engage.
Nonetheless, Blessed and Be Blessed is more accessible than the Westermann classic. It is like a cleverly packaged series of topical sermons. It doesn’t deal with the cited scriptures in context, but it presents a plan of action. It is very much an application-centered book. One should not underestimate it, however, As Lord himself notes in his four things to remember about blessing, blessing is simple, but simple isn’t necessarily easy (the first two principles on p. 122). In typical application-heavy sermon fashion, he moves from seven alliteratively listed ways to “bless,” loosely based on Hebrews 3:13’s admonition to encourage others daily: appreciation, acceptance, approval, affection, attention, affirmation, admiration (pp. 28-29). This he underscores in his last of the four principles on p. 122: compliments almost never hurt and changing lifestyles requires immediate application and reinforcing practice.
I found myself pleased that the book drew from the Catholic spiritual wisdom of Henri Nouwen on one side (“The blessed cannot help but bless others” cited from his Life of the Beloved on p. 87) and the Protestant spiritual wisdom of Watchman Nee on another (“God will back and bless whatever He initiates>’ cited from his Release of the Spirit on p. 73). I found myself disappointed with the implied prejudice to be found when he writes: “There is a real ADD—attention deficit disorder—in human relationships.” (p. 42) This suggests the old canard that there is no such disorder and that those who experience what was called ADD and is now called ADHD is merely a lack of discipline (self or otherwise). Such a stance is willful ignorance. Fortunately, that is the only thing in the book with which I was horrified.
Having stated my objection, let me affirm the rest of the book. I was personally challenged (being a person who hates being leashed to my cell phone) that being constantly connected “…makes it imperative that we be turned to the prodding of the Holy Spirit about the needs of others. When he brings people to mind, we can immediately phone them and give them a blessing.” (p. 125) With God’s help, I’ll work on that. The biggest blessing (word play intended) in this book was this observation: “Often in prayer the Holy Spirit will let you see people as God sees them. You can then bless them with this revelation of God for them and their future.” (p. 136)
I recommend Blessed and Be Blessed as a book for pastoral care and discipleship training. It is not the type of Bible study on the subject in which I hoped to engage.
July 11, 2017
Peter Lord's book has encouraged me to be much more intentional about what I say and to ensure that my words bless, encourage, affirm, build people up. While I have endeavoured to be more like this through the years, knowing the teaching of Scripture, Lord's book gave me a new impetus in that direction and some good ideas. He gave many good illustrations.
The influence of the book has been positive, and led my wife and I to consider how we can pass on a blessing to our family. This is something that our oldest son has brought to our attention!
I could wish, however, that Lord has given us a more in depth study of the biblical precedent for passing on blessings.
The influence of the book has been positive, and led my wife and I to consider how we can pass on a blessing to our family. This is something that our oldest son has brought to our attention!
I could wish, however, that Lord has given us a more in depth study of the biblical precedent for passing on blessings.
April 15, 2020
An Amazing Tool
The book offers concrete examples and tools to start blessing others and receiving blessings in return. Rey much needed. Thank you.
The book offers concrete examples and tools to start blessing others and receiving blessings in return. Rey much needed. Thank you.
January 14, 2017
Sometimes it’s difficult or awkward to praise people. And yet, as Christians, we ought to be fountains of blessings to others. Bless and Be Blessed by Peter Lord provides helpful training in how to bless others, whether it’s family, friends, coworkers, or the weary clerk at the checkout line. Not only does the author provide a biblical basis for blessings, he also provides practical steps to help you think through what you might say (if it doesn’t come naturally to you). The book also contains numerous exercises or challenges to get you to begin actually blessing other people and not just thinking about it.
Peter Lord describes the power of blessings, both in the Bible and in real-life examples. A simple word of blessing can change the direction of someone’s life, melt a hardened heart, and help change a person from the inside out. If every Christian read Bless and Be Blessed, the world would be a better place.
This review, along with additional book quotes, first appeared on my blog, ChristyBower.com.
Peter Lord describes the power of blessings, both in the Bible and in real-life examples. A simple word of blessing can change the direction of someone’s life, melt a hardened heart, and help change a person from the inside out. If every Christian read Bless and Be Blessed, the world would be a better place.
This review, along with additional book quotes, first appeared on my blog, ChristyBower.com.
October 16, 2009
a book that should be read often.
November 7, 2013
Definitely gives you things to think about and act on
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews