Gò0dNews for Family
Speak Life, Speak Future, Speak Hope by Paul McGuire
I
n almost every culture, at least in times past,
Those words give direction. Encourage them to learn
grandparents would speak a blessing over their
and speak God’s Word. Here are two verses I learned
children, importantly, their heritage. In the
before I could even read, that set a pattern in my life:
Scriptures, there are many instances. The words of blessings were considered prophetic, so good words were treasured and revered. We knew of this before our young ones were born,
“Thy word I have hidden in my heart that I might not sin against Thee” (Ps 119:11). “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, a light unto my path” (Ps 119:105).
so as they came along, I wrote out some things as blessings over them or that I felt were God’s plans for them. More recently, I (and their Nana) have thought more about this practice. What our Father has been showing us is that we must speak not just a blessing, but prophetic words which call to the future, to times ahead as God’s plans emerge. He has shown us characteristics in them which He plans to use. Those may be only faintly visible now, but we must call those things to manifest in the appropriate season. Zechariah was old enough to be the grandfather
Both my parents and my mom’s mother, in
of his little son John. He spoke prophetically the plans
particular, always encouraged me (and my siblings) in
of God over that tiny little boy. Likely, it was not until
this way. What a life-long and fruit-bearing blessing
after his death that John the Baptizer walked out his
this has been for us!
father’s words. “Children are a gift (a heritage) of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Have you blessed your children? How about their
Please, do this with your family. And speak over other little ones around you; some have no one to do this! Speak Life, the blessing of the Lord, to and over those around you—even to adults. It’s God’s plan
children? Have you spoken Life over them? Do you
for the earth. Speaking His Words establishes the
speak Life over them? God has given us “a future
Kingdom of God in the world. And all who love Life
and a hope.” Do your words reflect those promises?
will benefit. “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, a light
Words matter. Prophecy proclaims the end from the
unto my path.”
to a future assignment. They may be little guys now, but our words of God’s blessing pull them forward.
30 // March 2022
About The Author
beginning. It gives the little ones a target, a goal, a call Paul McGuire has been born again for almost 60 years, and has pursued to hear God’s Voice through all those years. He and his wife Teresa of 49 years are active at Living Word Church in Cleveland, Tennessee. They have two children and five grandchildren.
