May God bless you and keep you. Only seven simple words. And yet, Christians believe that when spoken with faith and spiritual authority, these words are more than the sum of their parts.
They genuinely convey a spiritual reality. And though it may be unseen, it is no less real. This is why prayers of blessing are so valuable. And it’s the reason we should make praying for them a priority.
May God Bless You and Keep You
The most beautiful prayer of blessing is found in the Bible. This is a passage from the Book of Numbers. (Numbers 6:24-26)
Consider the following example as you meditate on incorporating blessing prayers into your prayer life.
God Bless You Prayer
May God the Father, your Creator, impart faith to you,
That you may believe with heart, mind, soul, and strength;
And that you may trust him for provision and protection.
May God the Son, your Savior, reveal and impart love to you,
That you may love with heart, mind, soul, and strength;
And that you may serve God and neighbor, placing their needs above your own.
May God the Spirit, your Teacher, impart hope to you,
That you may hope with heart, mind, soul, and strength;
And that you may long for the heavenly home that Christ is preparing.
May God bless you to walk forever in faith, hope, and love. Amen.
Prayers of blessing like the one above are valuable because, as we’ve already noted, they convey spiritual realities. Contrary to the old saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” words profoundly impact human beings – for good or evil. This is why Scripture has so much to say about blessing and cursing.
May God’s Blessing be with You
May God always be present before you to show you the right way.
May God always be at your side to hold you in His arms and protect you.
May God always stand behind you and protect you from the evil blows of men.
May God always be under you to catch you when you fall and to pick you up.
May God always be within you to comfort you when you are overwhelmed with grief.
May God always be around you to defend you when others attack.
May God always be over you and bless you. Amen.
Related Prayers:
- Benediction Prayer
- The Most Heart-Warming Prayer
- Bible Verses about Blessings
- Blessing Prayer Need
- Blessing Prayer Guide
When a minister prays a prayer of blessing over a congregation, the sound doesn’t just echo off the walls. Instead, those words enter congregants’ minds and have tangible results.
They remind us of who God is, what God has done, and what he has yet to do. But they’re more than that. When the words God bless you and keep you are accompanied by faith, something supernatural happens. God communicates himself and his grace through these words of blessing.
Consider the blessing prayer in light of a more everyday experience. For example, when you’re in love with someone, and you hear those three little words, “I love you,” what happens? Butterflies fill your belly. Angels begin singing. You’re overwhelmed with a feeling of transcendence.
Shouldn’t the same experience accompany the words, God bless you and keep you? It is, after all, a similar statement. Only the subject is not another human but God, our Creator, and Sustainer. This is the power of the blessing prayer. It reminds us of the simple truth that God loves and is with us, providing us with all we need.
If you have little experience with prayers of blessing, they may seem foreign or odd at first. But all it takes to familiarize yourself with them is to spend a little time with the blessings found in scripture.
Read Numbers 6:24-26, Ephesians 3:16-20, and Colossians 1:9-12 for a few examples. You’ll hear common words and themes in the many blessings of scripture.
The Father, Son, and Spirit are often called upon to work in particular ways. Blessing, protection, and provision are frequently requested. And the fruit of the Spirit and the will of God are common themes. Remember these ideas as you pray; blessing prayers will become a natural part of your prayer life.
