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3 Prayers of Blessing from the Bible
Written by Jenn Arman | November 10, 2014 
At some point during a Sunday service in most churches, you’ll probably hear the pastor say something like, “Take a minute and greet someone.” That’s a pretty normal thing to hear in church.
It’s a little less normal to hear the pastor say, “Take a minute to pray a prayer of blessing over someone near you,” but that’s exactly what my pastor says in many of our services.
I remember the first time I heard him say that, I thought, “How do you pray a prayer of blessing?”
Since I was caught so off guard, I decided to look up blessings in my Bible. I didn’t look up what “blessing” means—I just looked up prayers of blessing that were prayed and recorded in God’s Word, and I’d like to share my favorites with you.
The first (and my very favorite) is Moses’ prayer of blessing over the Israelites in Numbers 6:24-26, also called “The Priestly Blessing”:
May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you His favor and give you His peace.
Then God makes a promise in verse 27 that whenever Aaron and his sons bless the people of Israel in His name, the Lord Himself will bless them! I believe this is a promise that God continues to honor for all of His children, so it’s important for us to pray blessing prayers over people in the Lord’s name.
Then there’s a great prayer for blessing others with spiritual growth in the Lord from Ephesians 3:16-20:
I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high and how deep His love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
The final blessing prayer I want to share with you girls comes from Colossians 1:9b-12:
We ask God to give you complete knowledge of His will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. We also pray that you will be strengthened with all His glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to His people, who live in the light.
Blessing prayers are simple: They are prayers asking for the things of God’s kingdom to be present in the person’s life and for specific attributes of God’s character to show in their life.
I want to challenge you to begin writing your own blessing prayers to use as you spend time praying for the important people in your life.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3)
Girls, which is your favorite prayer of blessing?
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We are blessed by God in so many ways. What are some of the top Bible verses on blessings? What is your favorite?
Blessings from God
All good things come from God and so when we receive blessings why shouldn’t we thank Him for them? In the Bible we can find the word “blessings” over seven thousand times so it is hard to decide which seven Bible verses about blessings are my favorites. Here are those Bible verses on blessings which stand out to me.
Numbers 6:24-26 “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
This is one of the most favorite blessing verses in all the Bible and one that some of the orthodox Jews still use today. The Hebrew word for bless is “barak” and it means to kneel, to be blessed, or to cause to kneel.” I find that interesting because when the patriarchs blessed their children the children always knelt before the patriarch so to be blessed is to kneel and today if we bend the knee and humble ourselves before the Lord He will bless us. If the Lord shines His face upon you and is gracious to you, that is a blessing. When Moses caught a glimpse of God the Lord caused Moses’ face to shine from the Shekinah glory of God. He made Moses’ face shine when “the Lord his face toward and God was certainly gracious to Moses as He still is to His own children today.
Matthew 5:11 “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.”
This seems to be contrary to the ways of man. How can a person be blessed when they are reviled, when they are persecuted, and when the say all kinds of evil things against you which are false? Here is how. You are blessed for being persecuted, reviled, and lied about when it is “for sake.” How is it possible to be blessed for being hated? It is because they also persecuted Jesus and the prophets and that puts you in excellent company. The Greek word for blessed is “makarios” which means to be made happy. Here is why I can say that. When Peter and the apostles were beaten for preaching the gospel, did they go and ask the church to pray for them? Did they ask the Lord to stop their beatings and persecution? No, “they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name” (Acts 5:41). These men were reviled, persecuted, and beaten and yet they rejoiced…because they were blessed! They were very happy about it because they were “considered worthy to suffer shame for sake.” Persecution and joy actually go together or at least they should.
James 1:12 “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”
Once more we see blessings are the results of something we might not associate with them…trials. The man or woman who perseveres or endures under trials…whether they are persecutions, name calling, gossip or lies, or bodily sufferings, when they stand the test (persevere) they “will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” We tend to think of blessings only in the form of money, home, family, friends, and other such tangible things but trials is not one of those things we normally associated with blessings but blessings they are even though our rewards will not fully come in this life.
Ephesians 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.”
Here the word bless is used three times…which emphasizes the importance of them. Of course God the Father is our blessed God and He has blessed us in Christ and these blessings include “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.” What does Paul mean by writing that we are blessed “in the heavenly places?” That is because we can “rejoice that names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20), our “hope stored up for in heaven” (Col 1:5) and we have “an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for ” (1 Pet 1:4). Our names, our hope and our inheritance and “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” await us. Now aren’t these things awesome blessings to ponder?
Deuteronomy 7:13 “He will love you, bless you, and multiply you. He will also bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground, your grain and your wine and your oil, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock, in the land that he swore to your fathers to give you.”
This may be one of the greatest blessings found in the Bible but it is only for those who are obedient to God, and even though this was written to Israel, since God is no respecter of persons, He would most certainly bless those nations and peoples who are striving to obey God and live a righteous life. This blessing is conditional and it is only “If you pay attention to these laws and are careful to follow them” (Duet 7:12). Even though we are not saved by the law Jesus said that “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them” (John 14:23).
Malachi 3:10 “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”
Here God actually wants us to test us and then to bless us if we have faith in Him. If we give back to God a portion of what is already His He says to us “see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” God’s desire is to bless us but we must have the faith to give before these blessings can be poured out through “the floodgates of heaven and pour out” on us, then there will be “so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” That’s a good problem to have. The “floodgates of heaven” is a great image of just how much God can poor out because floodgates are like the wall of a great dam and when they are opened, there is a flood of blessings that can come in such measure that we won’t even have “room enough to store it!”
Second Corinthians 9:8-9 “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.”
Paul was writing to the Corinthians about generous giving and ensuring the church that God is more than “able to bless abundantly” and so much “so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” That about covers it doesn’t it? What more could a person need? Paul ties in giving to the person who “freely scattered their gifts to the poor” being blessed and the result is that “their righteousness forever.”
Conclusion
If the Lord God has saved you, then you are blessed above most of those who live on the earth. If you are not saved then you only have the curse of judgment to come (Rev 20:11-15) and this curse cannot be reversed. If today you will repent and trust in Christ as your Savior, your blessings will be awaiting you in heaven because they will be reserved for you there (Eph 1:3) and what greater blessing is there in all the universe than to have eternal life in Christ?
Another Reading on Patheos to Check Out: What Did Jesus Really Look Like: A Look at the Bible Facts
Article by Jack Wellman
Jack Wellman is Pastor of the Mulvane Brethren church in Mulvane Kansas. Jack is also the Senior Writer at What Christians Want To Know whose mission is to equip, encourage, and energize Christians and to address questions about the believer’s daily walk with God and the Bible. You can follow Jack on Google Plus or check out his book Blind Chance or Intelligent Design available on Amazon
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We often go to God with our requests, but have you considered going to God to thank him for your blessings? A journal of blessings is a great way to accentuate the blessings that you see in your life. Sure it is easy to ask for blessings, but it is just as easy to be thankful for blessings. Try it, get a journal or a notebook and start recording one blessing a day. Each new day brings a new blessing — no repeats allowed. Here are 20 good scripture quotes about blessings.
2 Corinthians 12:10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Blessings of Heaven
Romans 5:6-8 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
The Crown of Life
James 1:12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
Revelation 2:10 (KJV) Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
The Victor’s Crown
1 Corinthians 9:25-27 (KJV) And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Crown of Glory (The Preacher’s Crown)
1 Peter 5:1-4 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
Crown of Righteousness
2 Timothy 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
Crown of Rejoicing (Soulwinner’s Crown)
1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?For you are our glory and joy.
Examples of Blessings for Obedience
Exodus 15:26 “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the LORD your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, your healer.”
Deuteronomy 7:13 He will love you, bless you, and multiply you. He will also bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground, your grain and your wine and your oil, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock, in the land that he swore to your fathers to give you.
Jeremiah 7:5-7 “For if you truly amend your ways and your deeds, if you truly execute justice one with another, if you do not oppress the sojourner, the father-less, or the widow, or shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not go after other gods to your own harm, then I will let you dwell in this place, in the land that I gave of old to your fathers forever…”
Zechariah 3:7-9 Thus says the LORD of hosts: If you will walk in my ways and keep my charge, then you shall rule my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you the right of access among those who are standing here. Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who sit before you, for they are men who are a sign: behold, I will bring my servant the Branch. For behold, on the stone that I have set before Joshua, on a single stone with seven eyes, I will engrave its inscription, declares the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of this land in a single day…”
Blessings in Disguise; Persevering Testing & Trials
Esther 4:14 “…For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
Matthew 10:21-22 Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
James 1:2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Sometimes blessings are disguised by trials. The Christian song writer Laura Story wrote a song during a time in her life when she wondered about blessings because God was not answering her prayers the way she wanted. Sometimes God gives us trials so that we can see the blessings in the end. I posted Laura’s “Blessings” song below, click on the play button and you can listen to it as you continue to read this article.
Unexpected Blessings Recorded
Genesis 50:18-20 His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
2 Chronicles 1:11-12 God answered Solomon, “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked possessions, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, and have not even asked long life, but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may govern my people over whom I have made you king, and knowledge are granted to you. I will also give you riches, possessions, and honor, such as none of the kings had who were before you, and none after you shall have the like.”
Luke 17:13 …”Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. (Jesus heals of leprosy)
Luke 24:30-34 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” (after the Lord appeared to them on the road to Emmaus and they did not recognize the risen Lord)
Acts 9:17-19 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; and taking food, he was strengthened. (The conversion of Paul of Tarsus)
How Blessed Are You?
We would love to hear from you. What is one way in which God has blessed you? Share it down there in the comments.
| Looking for something else? Here are some articles that you might want to check out:
Blessings of the Servant Blessings are mentioned in this list of Bible verses about serving. Promises of God Josh Wiley lists some Bible verses about the Promises of God — when promises are fulfilled they become blessings. Encouraging Quotes Sometimes a few words of encouragement are a great blessing, check out this article for some uplifting quotes. |
Sources:
The Holy Bible, King James Version
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version
“Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”
Youtube “Blessings” by Laura Story
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