Pray a Powerful Blessing

Does praying come easily for you? I struggled with it. After I truly met Jesus, my life completely changed and as part of my transformation, I wanted to serve in any way that I could. I volunteered to usher and help greet during Sunday morning worship service, and even teach children’s Bible classes. As I grew in my understanding of who the Lord was, I still struggled with praying. I had a hard time when I was by myself and even more so in front of others. What should I say? What is the Lord leading me to say? What is the right thing to say?

Throughout Scripture, the Lord provides examples of prayers for us. One of my favorites is the Aaronic blessing given in Numbers 6:22-27:

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them:

“The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.”’

So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.” (NKJV)

According to Jewish tradition, when the high priests spoke this blessing over the assembly, they would raise their hands, separating their fingers into sets of two fingers (think of Spock’s Vulcan sign), representing the Hebrew letter shin for Shaddai (All-Sufficient). The Almighty’s Divine Presence would shine through their fingers as the blessing was being said, causing the people in the assembly to avert their eyes—out of respect for the Lord’s presence, or out of fear. What an amazing image of the Lord’s power and faithfulness! Can you imagine a blessing so powerful that the glory of the Lord would visibly shine upon His people?

While living in Hawaii, we attended a Wednesday night Bible class, and at the beginning we would not only pray together but would pray over each other individually. Admittedly at first, I had a hard time knowing how to pray. Who was I to pray over someone? Could the Lord really use me to enact His will and put His blessings on others like he used His priests?

As believers, we know that the answer is YES! By the blood of our Savior and through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are a royal priesthood made to serve the Lord (1 Peter 2:9, Revelation 1:6). Before Jesus left His disciples, He told them that they would perform greater things than Him if they believe and ask in His name (John 14:12-14). We have been given the power to pray over others the Lord’s physical blessings, spiritual blessings, and for the Lord’s peace so that the Lord will be glorified through His Son.

In Hawaii, we witnessed healings, physical blessings, people being called into different ministries, loved ones coming to Jesus, and the blessings continue. Just as with Aaron, the Lord’s divine presence was shining as we prayed. The Lord showed me that asking for His blessing on others is an important part of prayer. We ask El Shaddai, the All-Sufficient One, for His favor, His blessings, and His peace; what He provides is sufficient for us. Have you recently prayed for blessings over your loved ones? As part of His royal priesthood, let us ask our Father for His face to shine upon those around us.