We often think of prayer as a list of things or petitions we place before the Lord. And many times that is indeed what it is. However, if we want to take our prayer life up a notch we can get into the habit of saying prayers of blessing over our loved ones. These are also known as benediction prayers. The Bible gives us some great examples of these prayers of blessing and we can quote these scriptures directly as we formulate our prayers. (Scroll below to find out how you can download these prayers of blessing on beautifully designed cards.)
Why Use Scripture to Pray a Prayer of Blessing?
God’s words are powerful. In the beginning, when he created the heavens and the earth, he did so with his Word. He said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. A simple phrase from God has the power to create.
There is also power in the words that come out of our own mouths. Proverbs 18:21 tells us, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” If a parent constantly tells a child, “You are good for nothing,” the parent will destroy her soul and the effects will be seen into adulthood. At the same time, if the parent speaks words of blessing or affirmation, it will nourish her soul and the child will reap the benefits of it as she matures.
So knowing that words of blessing and affirmation will encourage, how much more would God’s words of blessing and affirmation exhort an individual? For this reason, we should incorporate His scriptures into our prayers of blessing.
Weekly Prayer Blessings
Here are seven prayer blessings from scripture you can pray over your children or husband each morning as they walk out the door. I encourage you to do so out loud so they can hear you. The spoken word will feed their hearts.
I have divided them by the days of the week so that each morning you’ll have a different little prayer for them.
Monday Prayer Blessings
Our first prayer comes from Numbers. God gave Moses a blessing to give to Aaron to speak over the children of Israel. You might have heard this one referred to as the Aaronic blessing. Verse 27 of numbers gives us the reason why God commanded this blessing be spoken over his people, “So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.”
God, very specifically, tells Moses that to speak these words over Israel would have two important effects. One, it would put God’s name over his people, and second, He would bless them. We should use this as an encouragement to do the same for our loved ones.
The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26 (ESV)
Tuesday Prayer Blessings
Our next prayer of blessing comes from Philemon. God commands us to share and actively participate in our faith, which is not always easy. However, if people reject us for living out our faith, we become even more hesitant to do so. So let’s set up our kids, spouses, and even ourselves for success with this simple verse.
…and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.
Philemon 1:6 (ESV)
Wednesday Prayer Blessings
Wednesday’s prayer blessing calls on us to be equipped with everything that we may need to accomplish God’s will. Doing His will can be challenging, and so it is important that we pray that our loved ones are always equipped to do what is right in God’s eyes.
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 13:20-21 (ESV)
Thursday Prayer Blessings
Thursday’s prayer blessing is a simple, but powerful one from the book of Jude. Aren’t these the things that we desire the most for our loved ones?
May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.
Jude 2 (ESV)
Friday Prayer Blessings
Overall health has been front and center of the news lately with the current pandemic. I believe this verse from III John would be a great spiritual response and a beautiful blessing to pray on Friday mornings.
Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.
III John 1:2 (ESV)
Saturday Prayer Blessings
To be a shining light to the world around us, we must continually reflect the love of Christ. Many times that is easier said than done, especially in situations when we encounter people who are unlovable. In those circumstances, we absolutely need that increase in love that can only come from the Lord. Our Saturday prayer blessings echo this sentiment.
… and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
I Thessalonians 3:12-13 (ESV)
Sunday Prayer Blessings
We end our week with a set of scriptures from Colossians that is jam-packed. This prayer of blessing asks for wisdom, to please him, to bear fruit, to increase in the knowledge of God, for strength and so much more.
And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
Colossians 1:9-12 (ESV)
Prayers of Blessing Equip Us for the Christian Walk
You will notice that the prayers of blessings are mostly about equipping us for the Christian walk. There is little here about material prosperity or wealth. God is good and sometimes His blessings may come in the form of material things, but that should not be our focus when we seek His blessing. Instead, our desires must be centered on having everything we need to continue to faithfully serve him like peace, health, mercy, and love. Our treasures are reserved for the day that His kingdom is fully established. In the meantime, we bask in His blessings that give us the power to endure.
Prayer Cards to Download
Prayer cards with all seven blessings are available for download at my Etsy store or by clicking the image below.
Other articles on prayer you may be interested in:
Five Powerful Prayers for your Kids
Spiritual Warfare: Battle Plan for Prayer
