Offering God’s blessing to another person is a powerful action. The Bible tells many stories of blessing being spoken over a person’s life. Jacob blessed his sons and his grandsons (Genesis 48 and 49), Aaron blessed the Israelites (Leviticus 9), Eli blessed Hannah (1 Samuel), and Simeon blessed Mary and Joseph (Luke 2).
What to do:
For this month, make it a daily practice to speak God’s blessing over each person in your family. You’ll find some simple blessings based on scripture below. You may choose one that your family will use for the entire month, or you may switch blessings as appropriate for the time and circumstance of each day.
Some ideas for speaking blessings to one another:
· Blessings do not have to be only from parent to child; children can offer blessings to their parents and to their siblings.
· Blessings are best spoken aloud, directly to the person being blessed and using the person’s name.
· You may set aside a designated time each day to bless one another (as you are leaving the house in the morning, around the dinner table, bedtime) or choose random times each day
· Try assigning blessing partners. Assign each family member one other family member to bless daily for that week.
· Try writing your own blessing to use in place of the suggested blessings.
· Add the element of touch to your blessing – hold hands or place your hand on the head or shoulder of the person being blessed.
Blessings
All of these blessing are based on scripture. Some quote it directly while others simply draw on scriptural themes and ideas.
{Name}, may God bless you and take care of you; may God be kind and gracious to you and give you peace. Based on Numbers 6:24-26
{Name}, may the peace of God, which is beyond all understanding, guard your heart and your mind for Jesus. Based on Philippians 4:7
{Name}, may you be filled with joy.
{Name}, may the Lord renew your strength and guide your steps.
{Name}, may Jesus live in your heart and may you follow him every day. May you have life the way he means you to have it and may you share that life with others.
{Name}, may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the friendship of the Holy Spirit be with you.Based on 2 Corinthians 13:14