Prayer as blessing

May the LORD keep you
in His blessing.

May the face of the LORD
shine on you brightly
and graciously.

May the LORD lift you
into His close company
and bequeath to you
His peace.

©2014 Mary Sayler based this prayer poem on Numbers 6:24-26 from the many translations provided by Bible Gateway.

…

God gave Moses a prayer to bless us

When asked how to pray, Jesus gave the disciples and, ultimately, all followers of Christ a perfect example of prayer in “the Lord’s Prayer” or “Our Father” – a prayer that poetically reminds us of the praises, needs, and concerns we’re to bring before God.

Many centuries before that, however, God gave Moses the words of a priestly prayer to pray over the people of God – a prayer heard in Jewish synagogues and many Christian churches today.

“And the Lord instructed Moses to tell Aaron the priest and his sons how to bless the children of Israel with this prayer:

‘May the Lord bless you and keep you.

May the Lord make His face to shine upon you
and be gracious unto you.

May the Lord lift His countenance upon you
and give you peace.’

“And this prayer shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them,” Numbers 6:22-27.


Questions: Do you put the Name of God and prayer of God on your children every day? In what ways might this prayer be used to bless people, including those who curse us?

Prayer: Dear LORD God and Heavenly Father, we praise You for being a God Who blesses Your people. Thank You for Your graciousness and peace. Help us to pass on Your good gifts, not only to our friends and families and followers, but to our enemies.

~~

© 2012, Mary Sayler, all rights reserved.