Psalm 85:1-8 – a prayer of the family of Korah

What blessings You pour on Your land, O Lord!

You restored the fortunes of Your people
and forgave their guilt. Yes, You covered all
their sins. You withdrew wrath and fierce fury.
Now restore us again, O God of our salvation.
Put aside Your anger toward us. 

Will You be mad at us forever?
Will Your anger affect future generations?
Or will You revive us, so Your people
can again rejoice in You?

Show us Your ongoing love, O Lord.
Grant us Your salvation.

Help us to listen
carefully to what You say,
for You, Lord, speak peace to faithful people.

 

From the Book of Bible Prayers – actual prayers of the Bible collected from a variety of translations researched on Bible Gateway then paraphrased into everyday English by Mary Sayler

God blesses us with His prayer, His Name

 Numbers 6:23-27 – “Bless My children. Tell them this:  'God blesses you and keeps you. The face of God shines upon you and is gracious to you. God looks upon you with peace.’  In this way, you will put My Name on My children, and I will bless them.”

We claim this blessing, Lord! Thank You for looking favorably upon us. Thank You for Your promise of grace and peace that give our faces such rest, such shine!

Praise You for receiving us and blessing us. Thank You for claiming us as Your children and giving us Your Family Name.

Mary Sayler, from Kneeling on the Promises of God

Priestly Prayer for God’s People

At the moment, the world seems to be in a panic over a virus, causing man-made systems, businesses, and services to shut down. As health officials tell us, we need to wash hands with soap every time we’re out and keep ourselves – and the air in our homes – hydrated.

Most important, however, we need to decide if we truly do trust God, Who made us, cares for us, and gives us this prayer:

Numbers 6:24-26 – the priestly prayer-blessing of Aaron over God’s people (KJV)

The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:

The Lord make his face shine upon thee,

and be gracious unto thee:

The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee,

and give thee peace.

From the Book of KJV Prayers - actual prayers from the King James Version of the Bible (KJV) collected by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019 

Numbers 6:24-26 – the prayer of Aaron (paraphrased)

Lord, we pray You bless and keep us.

We pray Your face shines graciously upon us.

We pray You look kindly toward us

and give us Your God-peace.

Shalom.

From the Book of Bible Prayers – actual prayers of the Bible collected from a variety of translations and paraphrased into everyday English by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019

May this priestly prayer, given to the Jewish high priest Aaron and received by Christians too, give us the peace needed in any troubling time.

…