In the biblical context, a temporal blessing refers to the material and earthly benefits bestowed by God upon individuals or communities. These blessings encompass health, prosperity, safety, and general well-being in one's earthly life. The Scriptures provide numerous examples and teachings on praying for such blessings, emphasizing the importance of seeking God's favor in all aspects of life.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible acknowledges the legitimacy of praying for temporal blessings, recognizing them as gifts from God. In the Old Testament, the patriarchs and leaders often sought God's favor for material prosperity and protection. For instance, Jabez's prayer in 1 Chronicles 4:10 is a notable example: "Jabez called out to the God of Israel, 'If only You would bless me and enlarge my territory! May Your hand be with me and keep me from harm, so that I will be free from pain.' And God granted his request."

Similarly, King Solomon, when dedicating the temple, prayed for God's continued provision and protection over Israel, acknowledging that all blessings come from the Lord (1 Kings 8:22-53). The Psalms also contain numerous prayers for temporal blessings, reflecting a deep reliance on God's provision. Psalm 67:1-2 states, "May God be gracious to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us, that Your ways may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations."

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, Jesus teaches His followers to pray for their daily needs, as seen in the Lord's Prayer: "Give us this day our daily bread" (Matthew 6:11). This petition underscores the importance of relying on God for sustenance and the necessities of life. The Apostle Paul also encourages believers to present their requests to God with thanksgiving, trusting in His provision (Philippians 4:6-7).

While the New Testament emphasizes spiritual blessings and eternal life, it does not dismiss the value of temporal blessings. Believers are encouraged to seek God's kingdom first, with the assurance that their material needs will be met: "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33).

Theological Considerations

Praying for temporal blessings is rooted in the understanding of God as a loving Father who delights in providing for His children. However, such prayers should be aligned with God's will and purpose. James 4:3 warns against asking with wrong motives: "And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures."

Temporal blessings are seen as a means to glorify God and further His kingdom. They are not an end in themselves but serve as a testament to God's goodness and faithfulness. Believers are called to use their blessings to bless others, reflecting God's generosity and love.

Practical Application

In practice, prayers for temporal blessings should be accompanied by a heart of gratitude and contentment, recognizing that God knows what is best for His children. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's timing and provision, even when His answers may differ from their expectations. The pursuit of temporal blessings should never overshadow the pursuit of spiritual growth and a deeper relationship with God.

Ultimately, prayers for temporal blessings are an expression of faith and dependence on God, acknowledging Him as the source of all good things. As believers seek His guidance and provision, they are reminded of His sovereignty and the assurance that He cares for their every need.Genesis 27:28,29
Therefore God give you of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine:
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Genesis 28:3,4,20,21
And God Almighty bless you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, that you may be a multitude of people;
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Genesis 48:16
The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the middle of the earth.
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Deuteronomy 1:11
(The LORD God of your fathers make you a thousand times so many more as you are, and bless you, as he has promised you!)
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Deuteronomy 26:15
Look down from your holy habitation, from heaven, and bless your people Israel, and the land which you have given us, as you swore to our fathers, a land that flows with milk and honey.
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Deuteronomy 33:11,13-16,24
Bless, LORD, his substance, and accept the work of his hands; smite through the loins of them that rise against him, and of them that hate him, that they rise not again.
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1 Kings 8:35-50
When heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against you; if they pray toward this place, and confess your name, and turn from their sin, when you afflict them:
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1 Chronicles 4:10
And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.
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1 Chronicles 17:27
Now therefore let it please you to bless the house of your servant, that it may be before you for ever: for you bless, O LORD, and it shall be blessed for ever.
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Psalm 28:9
Save your people, and bless your inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever.
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Psalm 36:11
Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me.
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Proverbs 30:8
Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:
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Matthew 6:11
Give us this day our daily bread.
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Romans 1:10
Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come to you.
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1 Thessalonians 3:11
Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you.
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3 John 1:2
Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers.
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The Prayer of Jabez
... If you take then the prayer of Jabez as ... it in another light, and compare the blessing
Jabez craved with those blessings that are temporal and transient. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the prayer of jabez.htm

Paul a Pattern of Prayer
... I have noticed in studying Paul that the burden of his prayer was for spiritual
blessing rather than for temporal power, and throughout the Epistles at least ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/paul a pattern of prayer.htm

Letter v. Prayer and Fasting.
... a particular place; nor can we be sure that the particular temporal blessing that
we ... exists among real Christians, as to what constitutes the prayer of faith ...
/.../letter v prayer and fasting.htm

Discerning Prayer.
... the desires of the natural heart may and do deceive us, and often lead as to believe
that our fervent earnest prayer for temporal blessing is led of the Spirit ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/the wonders of prayer/discerning prayer.htm

That we Ought to Give Ourselves to God with Regard to Things Both ...
... to God with regard to things both temporal and spiritual ... The casual, intermittent
prayer is never bathed in this Divine ... to let Him go until the blessing comes. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter ii that we ought.htm

Whether it is Possible to be Dispensed from a Solemn Vow of ...
... the solemnity of a vow consists in a kind of consecration or blessing of the ... continency
can be a matter of dispensation, as also a vow of temporal prayer or of ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is possible to 2.htm

Temporal Advantages.
... will exemplify the unsatisfactory nature of temporal goods; for ... up that most sublime
and affecting prayer at the ... gave him the choice of any blessing he should ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon v temporal advantages.htm

The Fulton St. Prayer Meeting.
... A BOUNTIFUL BLESSING. "Some time ago I solicited your prayers for a blessing on
my services ... I know He won't let me go.". ANSWER TO PRAYER IN TEMPORAL MATTERS. ...
/.../various/the wonders of prayer/the fulton st prayer meeting.htm

Blessing for Blessing
... Father, which art in heaven." Often in prayer he said ... that as assurance and delight
lead to blessing God, so ... man is grateful to God for temporal blessings; but ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/blessing for blessing.htm

Prayer
... God prescribed a set form of blessing for the priests. ... in prayer is when we have
gracious holy ends; when our prayer is not so much for temporal mercies as ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/4 6 prayer.htm

What is the difference between a blessing and a birthright (Genesis 25)? | GotQuestions.org

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