There are so many negative voices in our culture today. It is hard on adults but think of what these voices can do for children. Blessings given to your children can change the mindset of these young lives.
Even as adults, it’s difficult to sift through negative and adverse comments, experiences, and our own thought patterns, and remind ourselves of truth that God has for our lives.
Think about each of your children and the words you feel they need from God. Children are inherent learners, open and eager to receive the messages they hear—to discover who they are and what life is about. You as parents are the primary voice of God in their lives. Out of all the possible messages that your children can receive to wound, to make them feel less than enough and unlovable use words that can bring healing, make them feel loved and valued. These words of blessing can give a foundation of truth that they need to combat the flaming arrows coming at them each day! And we can do this by speaking God’s truth to them.
As adults, it’s easier for us to recognize these truths and understand the importance of communicating these blessings to the children God has placed in our lives.
In this battle for our children’s identity, give them the foundation of truth they need to combat the flaming arrows coming at them each day!
A blessing for your children can consist of a prayer of commission, a Bible passage, or words of encouragement. Blessings can also be spoken over a child for the purpose of declaring God’s protection, joy, and wisdom over them.
In a blessing the child is encouraged, and God is exalted and glorified.
A blessing isn’t the same as praying
A blessing is different from a prayer in that we are directing this to a person rather than to God. The prayer is accurately directed towards God. “Dear heavenly Father, dear Jesus.” A blessing is clearly directed towards another person.
The idea of a blessing is to speak a benediction over someone. The word benediction literally means good speaking. Here is an opportunity for you to speak words of truth into the lives of children during this communion time. When you see blessings throughout the scripture, you generally see it starts with words like “may you know” or “may you be blessed.” The words “may you” directs my words toward the child in a prayerful attitude.
Blessings spoken remind children of the unconditional love and presence of God in that moment. When giving a blessing to children we want to speak God’s truth in some way. Speaking scripture directly to them would be best but you may also want to explore other ways of speaking truth which clearly represents God’s Word.
Blessings from Scripture
A blessing comes straight from scripture. God’s Word is filled with examples of blessings and truths that can be spoken into a child’s life.
In the Old Testament, Abraham spoke his blessing to his son Isaac. Isaac spoke a blessing to his son Jacob. Jacob gave a verbal blessing to each of his twelve sons and to two of his grandchildren. The Word of God created all things in the beginning. God Himself told Moses how he was to bless the Israelites:
The Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: ‘“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’ ~Numbers 6:22–26
In the New Testament, God blessed us with the gift of his Son, it was His Word that "became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14). God has always been a God of words.
Paul gave a great example for giving a blessing when he addressed the church in Ephesus:
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. ~Ephesians 3:16–21
When we look to Jesus, how does He speak about us? Jesus tells us we are:
loved (John 3:16)
forgiven (1 John 1:9)
His workmanship (Ephesians 2:10)
never alone (Matthew 28:20b)
chosen (1 Peter 1:9)
protected from the evil one (2 Thessalonians 3:3)
Samples of Biblical truths used in a blessing
“May you know that you’re secure in the love of Jesus.”
“May you be confident in the incredible love of God today.”
“May the grace, love, and presence of God be with you today.”
“May God’s love be poured into your heart today.”
“May you experience the height, depth, and width of God’s love today.”
“May you know that your sins are completely forgiven through Jesus.”
“May the God of Hope fill you with joy and peace today.”
“May you see the plans that God has for you today”
Etc. (Look for more blessing ideas from God’s Word…maybe from your own time in the Word)
A Few Tips When Giving a Blessing
Be Yourself
It important to just be your best self. Use your personality to convey to your children love and support for them. There’s no right or wrong way to bless someone if it is coming from a loving and caring heart and you’re speaking the truth that God is going to use. As the primary spiritual leaders in these young lives parents are just the vehicle that He is using. It doesn’t have to be perfect or it doesn’t have to be one way or the other. The key here is to simply be yourself.
Giving Children Blessings
Blessings for children are most effective when given on a regular basis—we don’t have to wait for lofty spiritual moments. They can become part of our morning routines as we send our children out the door or as we tuck them into bed each night.
Use Touch - Your hands on the shoulders, head or cheeks
When you are giving a blessing you are encouraged to use touch when it is fitting to do so. Place your hands on a shoulders on top of the head or on both cheeks.
Make Eye Contact and Use their Name
Think of the importance of direct eye contact given to those that we are speaking to. If you are deciding to face the child, make sure that you are giving eye contact; look them directly in their eyes to convey care and love. Start your blessing with their name. This makes the blessing even more personal, caring, and loving. Use words that make it personal to their personality, gifts and abilities.
(Download and print "10 Special Blessings for Children")...
Comments