Blessing Your Children

Have you ever blessed your children? I’m talking about an intentional and thoughtful time you’ve set  aside—where you’ve prayed about how to bless your child—and then you speak it over them. If you don’t know what to say, spend time praying about it. Ask God what you should say—every child’s purpose or “bent” is unique. He wants you to bless your children individually and He knows what they need to hear! Let me tell you how powerful it is.

David blessed Solomon in I Chronicles 22:12 with these words: “Only may the Lord give you wisdom and understanding, and give you charge concerning Israel, that you may keep the law of the Lord your God.” He was preparing Solomon to become king over Israel. Later, God appears to Solomon and asks what he wants. In II Chronicles 1:10, Solomon replies with this: “Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of yours?”

Why do you think he asked God for wisdom and knowledge? It was in his mind and heart because of his father’s blessing. A blessing is a powerful thing. It doesn’t just enter the mind or soul of the person you bless. It enters their heart or spirit. They know it’s significant because you’ve set aside time. You’ve set aside a place. You’ve prepared words which are for them alone—words from God’s heart to yours to theirs. And they grab hold of those words. I’ve found it a good thing to write out my blessing so they can read it again and again. Bless your children. Bless your grandchildren. Bless your friends. 

Jewish men bless their wives each week. Jewish parents bless their children each week. The Jewish population in American prisons is 1.7%.  I believe those blessings are significant and powerful and live on in the hearts of those children for the rest of their lives.  

Start blessing your children! Do it soon.