I used to sign off all my correspondences with “Sincerely” – except on those to family members and close friends. Then, it was “Love.” When I became a follower of Christ, I started using “In Him.” I’m still not quite sure why I chose that one, but everyone else seemed to be signing off that way, and I was a fledgling Christian ready to imitate anyone with more spiritual maturity than I.
You may never have thought this long and hard about how you sign off your emails or letters. However, experts in letter writing insist your closing should depend on the tone of your letter and reflect your purpose. In the business world, it reveals your level of professionalism. In more informal scenarios, perhaps it should reflect your personality.
For over a year now, I have signed off my professional letters and emails with “God bless.” It is not a random or easy end to my message. While “God bless” may be ranked in the top ten ways to close a letter or email, I have been very intentional about using it.
When I close with “God bless,” I am signing off my message in a prayer. Every time. I have never signed, “God bless,” without taking a moment to reflect on what that short two-word phrase means to me … and to God.
It is an intimate request of God. For you. I am asking God to bless you. My prayer is that He will bless you in ways you expect – and don’t expect. My prayer is that He will be glorified through His blessings for you. My prayer is that you will understand that all blessings are from God and are good, even when at first glance they may not seem that way. My hope is that these blessings are not overlooked or taken for granted.
When I close with, “God bless,” I am interceding on your behalf, and I don’t take it lightly. Prayers are powerful things. They have opened the skies and closed them back up again. They have healed the sick and raised the dead. Prayers have saved souls. No, I don’t take this lightly at all.
In fact, every time I close with “God bless,” my prayer is that the blessings are abundant and that every single person who experiences them appreciates that they came from God. If you know God intimately, you know God desires to bless us. Author Mark Batterson writes, “God honors bold prayers because bold prayers honor God.” Asking God to bless us is a bold prayer. God wants to deliver!
Jabez prayed that bold prayer as recorded in 1 Chronicles 4:9-10. “Oh, that you would bless me indeed!” And, God did. I trust He will answer my prayers for you too. Every time.
So, as you send emails and letters to others, take a moment to thoughtfully and prayerfully consider how you want to close them. Don’t just skim over that last part where your name goes. It may be the perfect opportunity to intercede on someone’s behalf with a bold prayer that God wants to answer. It may be just the right place and time for God to show His glory and bless us – indeed!
God bless,
Cortney
Prayer: Father God, thank You for your many blessings. I pray that none go unnoticed and that Your name is glorified with each one. Thank You that others can intercede on our behalves and that we, also, have the opportunity to pray for those who may not even realize we are doing it. How cool is that! We ask that you bless us indeed and in turn, we glorify You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Influenced by The Book of Psalms, “The Prayer of Jabez” by Dr. Bruce Wilkinson, and The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson
©2015 As A Clay Jar. All rights reserved.
©2015 As A Clay Jar. All rights reserved.
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