Years ago, I grappled with how to pray for my neighbors and others within my community. Some I knew personally, but many were strangers to me. I didn’t want to offer a generic prayer but one deeply rooted in biblical truth. I yearned for my prayers to bear the fruit of people entering into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ, for the resources of heaven to be poured into their lives, and for a greater witness for the Lord. I then discovered the power of praying for blessings on others. Prayer, I realized, is a potent tool for invoking God’s blessings upon others.
For believers, praying prayers of blessing on someone involves invoking God’s favor, guidance, and protection upon that individual. It’s an expression of love and care, asking for spiritual, emotional, physical, and material well-being for the person being prayed for, in alignment with biblical teaching. It’s often seen as a way to demonstrate God’s love and grace in action.
Praying for blessings over others is not just a duty but a privilege that offers numerous benefits. It provides spiritual encouragement and support for the person being prayed for, reminding them of God’s love and desire to care for them. For the person praying, it’s an opportunity to demonstrate love and compassion, reflecting the Christian value of caring for one another and bearing each other’s burdens. Prayers of blessing align the desires and aspirations of individuals with God’s will, fostering trust in His wisdom and sovereignty to bring about the best outcomes. In essence, praying blessings over others is a way to actively participate in God’s work of blessing and transforming lives.
The most profound prayer of blessing a believer can offer for another is that they find salvation in Christ. This prayer encapsulates the very essence of Christianity, as it seeks the eternal well-being of the individual’s soul. It underscores our foundational belief in the redemptive power of Jesus Christ and the transformative nature of His love. As John 3:16 states, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This verse highlights the centrality of salvation through Christ, making it the ultimate blessing we can wish upon another.
There are various ways we can pray blessings over others. There are prayers for strength and encouragement, such as that of Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” There are prayers for healing and restoration: “Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise” (Jeremiah 17:14). We discover in God’s Word examples of how we can pray for guidance and direction, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6). Corrie ten Boom wrote, “God’s guidance is like a small lamp in a dark forest. It doesn’t show everything at once but gives enough light for the next step.” How could we and others not be blessed by having such guidance from the Lord as we place our trust in Him?
As we journey through life, let us remember the privilege and responsibility we have to pray blessings upon others. May these prayers be a source of comfort, strength, and inspiration, drawing us closer to God and one another. Let me write these words from Numbers 6:24-26 as my prayer of blessing to each of you, “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.” Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!