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.

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Jacob prays for a blessing

After being away for a couple of decades, Jacob heads home with two companies of peoples and a massive amount of livestock. Clearly, God has blessed him! So why does he pray to be blessed?

Genesis 32:26 – a prayer of Jacob

And he (a man of God or angel)said,

Let me go,

for the day breaketh.

And he (Jacob) said,

I will not let thee go,

except thou bless me.

From the Book of KJV Prayers – actual prayers from God’s Word collected by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019, from the King James Version of the Bible

Genesis 32:26 – a prayer of Jacob

Lord, I will

not let

You go

until

You bless me!

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

Jacob had already prayed for deliverance from his brother Esau and sent over 500 animals ahead as a peace offering. He remained behind with his family and servants, but sometime during the night, he arose, divided the people into two groups as a safety precaution, and sent them on ahead. He would have been all alone – except for the Angel of God with whom he wrestled.

As day began to break, the Angel insisted Jacob let him go, but Jacob refused until he received a blessing. Obviously, this was no request for material goods or riches. Nor did the prayer repeat a desire for God to be with him since the Lord already was! Jacob had God’s presence, protection, and power, but a blessing can also mean permission, approval, or anointing.

On that night, God bestowed every aspect of blessing, including forgiveness, as He changed Jacob’s name (one who supplants or displaces) to Israel – one who triumphs with God.

Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2020

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