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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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12 biblical benedictions you can pray for others on all occasions
by Bob Hostetler
Posted in Power of Prayer, Aug 14, 2015
A favorite prayer practice of mine is to pray blessings over people–whether it’s in a child dedication ceremony, a birthday greeting, an email signature, or praying with someone in church. I often use one of these 12 biblical benedictions to pray over someone. These benedictions have been adapted from Bible verses.
I’ve never heard anyone object to receiving such a prayer and have frequently been told that one of these blessings had a powerful effect on someone, even when it was offered briefly and in passing.
It blesses us to bless others and also fulfills the biblical admonition to “let your conversation be always full of grace” (Colossians 4:6, NIV), and to “encourage one another and build each other up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11, NIV).
Here are 12 powerful blessings you can use for all occasions.
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As believers, we can know in our hearts that God is Sovereign and strong. We can believe that His plans for us are for good and that He has blessing in store as we follow after Him.
Yet often, when life presses and things feel stressed, when problems overwhelm, and hardships come our way, our focus gets blurred. We somehow start to believe that it all depends on”us.” Like maybe we blew it, messed up and got ourselves off the course from “the road to “success.” We spin our wheels trying to find a fast way out of difficulty. We feel like it’s up to us to make things happen. Stirring up action. Trying hard to get one foot into an open door, or wondering why a closed one shut. We start thinking that if we’re not “able enough,” “talented enough,” “brave enough,” that maybe God can’t quite use us.
We forget, that the very God who created this entire universe, who holds the stars in place, and knows the exact number of hairs on our head, also knows our way. That His favor rests on us as we seek after Him first, and He holds the power to cause things to happen in just a moment, that would otherwise take us years to do. He can line up our pathways to cross with others He wants us to meet. He can open doors that leave us surprised at how they open. He can close doors that He knows are not the best for us. He has a plan, in the good, and in every hard thing we face.
And often the greatest blessings come after the greatest times of testing.
Over and over in God’s Word, we see those whose lives He most powerfully used, after they had endured many hardships and trials. Their lives were not defined by the suffering or testing, but by God alone, who moved through the trial and brought greater good, blessing, and favor from it all.
Joseph.
David.
Moses.
Abraham.
Paul.
Job.
So many more…
Joseph says in Genesis 50:20, “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.”
God paved the way of freedom for Joseph. Though it wasn’t right away, slavery and imprisonment could not keep him contained. For our Lord, in His purposes, had more still in store.
God will not allow any circumstance, or any person, to hold us back from His blessing, favor, and purpose for our lives. We don’t have to worry. Because we belong to Him. And we can trust Him with our days. God is Able, He is more than Able, to turn the toughest, darkest times, around for good. He will not waste our pain, but will use the difficulty of what we walk through for greater good, to bring blessing and freedom to others.
His Presence is with us and we can be assured in whatever we face, His plans for us are good.
21 Reminders of His Blessing, Favor, and Sovereignty Over Our Lives:
“For you bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover him with favor as with a shield.” Psalm 5:12
“Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands…” Psalm 90:17
“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” Psalm 84:11
“…but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.” Psalm 30:5
“…By your favor you make us strong…” Psalm 89:17
“My times are in your hands…” Psalm 31:15
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11
“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.” Ephesians 1:3
“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.” 2 Corinthians 9:8
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26
“How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.” Psalm 31:19
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
“Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:16
“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him.” Matthew 7:11
“And the Lord said…This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.” Exodus 33:17
“The mind of man plans his way but the Lord directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9
“The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the Lord.” Proverbs 16:33
“And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.” Genesis 12:2
“Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished.” Luke 1:45
“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” Psalm 23:6
“These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.” Revelation 3:7
A Prayer for Blessing
Dear God,
Thank you for your great love and blessing over our lives. Thank you that your favor has no end, but it lasts for our entire lifetime. Forgive us for sometimes forgetting that you are intimately acquainted with all of our ways, that you know what concerns us, and you cover us as with a shield. We ask that we would walk in your blessing and goodness today. That your face would shine on us. That you would open the right doors for our lives and for our loved ones, that you would close the wrong doors and protect us from those we need to walk away from. Establish the work of our hands and bring to fulfillment all that you have given us to do in these days. We pray that you would make our way purposeful and our footsteps firm out of your goodness and love. Give us a heart of wisdom to hear your voice, and make us strong by your huge favor and grace.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
We are children of the King. He is Sovereign and He reigns Supreme, giving favor, guidance, and blessings to all those who seek after Him.
Resting there today, hope you are too.
Debbie McDaniel is a writer, pastor’s wife, mom to three amazing kids (and a lot of pets). Join her each morning on Fresh Day Ahead’s facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/DebbieWebbMcDaniel, for daily encouragement in living strong, free, hope-filled lives. Find her also at and
This article is part of our larger Prayers resource meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Visit our most popular prayers if you are wondering how to pray or what to pray. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us and God knows your heart even if you can’t find the words to pray.
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Heavenly and Most Gracious Father, we come before you in prayer, to magnify and glorify your precious name and to give all the praise, honor and glory you deserve.
We humbly request your overflowing blessings upon our lives. We also take this opportunity to thank you for those blessings you have bestowed upon us that we take for granted and the numerous ones on the way.
Matthew 6:33-34But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Blessing of the Lord
Bless us with love, joy, peace and happiness. Bless us spiritually, financially and also with good health. Keep us safe, Oh loving Lord.
Those among us who lack wisdom, bless with knowledge. Those who are weak, bless with strength. Shower with energy those who are weary. Those who are blind, bless with sight. And those who are burdened, set completely free.
2 Corinthians 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
Jeremiah 32:27 Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there anything too hard for me?
Blessings on family members
Shower these blessings on our family and friends, as well. Help us all to remember that we are blessed to be a blessing to others. Help us to help others even when we’re struggling with our own difficulties.
Lord, you know the desires of our hearts and you also know what we deserve. Bless us, with what you know is truly best for us.
Thank you for all you have done for us and we declare that your overflowing blessings will rain down upon us, today… In Jesus’ most precious name,
AMEN!!
What is your prayer today? Do you have a request or a declaration of thanksgiving? Leave your comments below!
Psalm 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
More Prayers of Blessings:
- Morning Prayer of Praise and For The Lord’s Blessings
- Prayer – God’s Blessings for the Rest of the Year
- Blessings Upon the Lives of my Children
- Prayer- The Blessings Of Spiritual Gifts
- Prayer: Trusting GOD for His Blessings
I’m a young Christian, from South Trinidad, seeking the wisdom of the Word and God’s blessings on my life. A journey, that’s just begun, but living to the Glory of God.
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