I came across this in an article in Discipleship Journal by one Steve Hawthorne. I struggle a little with the language - not quite 'everyday' enough for me, but I love the idea. Thanks, Steve.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
The Request: Shake, sift, and sort their lives. Expose what is worthless. Exalt what is of lasting value. Grant courage that they may declare spiritual bankruptcy in order to receive Your kingdom.
The Blessing: We speak upon them heaven's best treasures: deliverance, joy, and peace under the kind kingship of Father God.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
The Request: Embrace them in Your arms. For every sorrow, show Your even deeper grief, that they may not turn bitter in their own self-pity. Grant them a taste of Your goodness and greater joy.
The Blessing: Upon them we speak peace upon anger; solace upon anguish; and God's own presence to unlock the prisons of loneliness.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
The Request: Grant them new humility. Empty them of self-made grandeur and false pride.
The Blessing: We speak upon them the boundless destiny of God's family: generous contentment, safety, and significance in His increasing dominion.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
The Request: Impel them onward whenever they yearn for a right life before You. Enlarge their appetite to see the world made right in Your time and way.
The Blessing: We speak upon them a share of God's own satisfied delight in inner-heart goodness, and a clear view of God's justice.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
The Request: Unlock closed hearts to forgive. Lift the binding patterns of iniquity. Set off a chain reaction of mercy in their homes.
The Blessing: We speak upon them Your mercy, that Your prevailing love would interrupt the course of events brought on by circumstances or sin.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
The Request: By Your finished work in Jesus' death, launder their life from inside out.
The Blessing: Blessed are the eyes of their hearts, that cleansed inside they may see their entire world filled with Father God, illumined by the light of the greater days to come.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called [children] of God.
The Request: Grant them wise authority to quench the escalating rage of evil and bring forth heaven's peace.
The Blessing: We call them now what You would have them be: Father God's own children, marked by His character.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
The Request: For those harassed because of doing and pursuing right things with Jesus, grant patient wisdom to follow Jesus throughout the days of trouble.
The Blessing: We would give them open ears to hear heaven's pleasure, the applause of Father God's joy in those who live like His Son.
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