Pumpkins and gourds, in various shades and shapes of autumn glory, are stacked high against a rustic barn wall. Part of a cheerful welcome display at Wilson’s Orchard and Farm in Cumming, Iowa, this thoughtfully arranged display provides a beautiful backdrop for visiting families, apple-picking tourists, and even wedding guests to capture a few commemorative photos.
People line up and take turns being photographed with this glorious abundance surrounding them. It’s as though they are being blessed on all sides! It makes me wonder, “Has someone prayed a blessing over them lately?”
What does it mean to pray blessings over others?
Praying blessings over others is a beautiful way to ask God to show his goodness, favor, and grace in their lives. Blessings found in Scripture can be especially helpful when we struggle with what to say. They powerfully express our faith in God’s love and care for his people. When we pray biblical blessings over others, we are asking God to work in their lives, strengthen their faith, meet their needs, and draw them closer to himself.
Praying blessings from Scripture
Often, when we think about praying for others, some of the first things that come to mind are health, finances, relationships, material needs, and safety. And certainly, the Bible encourages us to pray about these things (e.g., Eph 6:18, Gal 6:2, James 5:14, Matt 6:11).
But many of the blessings found in Scripture, particularly those in Paul’s letters, focus on the spiritual needs of God’s people. These blessings are not promises for an easy or storm-free life. Rather, they point us to God’s promises to be present with us, strengthen us, guard our hearts, and help our faith grow. As we see throughout Scripture, God’s spiritual blessings are often what sustain us through life’s hardest seasons.
That is what makes praying Scripture over others so meaningful. We aren’t simply wishing them well; we are asking God to bless them according to his goodness and his Word. Whether or not they know we’ve prayed these words over them, God hears our prayers, and they matter to him (1 John 5:14). Prayer is a powerful way we can shine God’s light in the lives of others and in our broken world.
Do you remember giving or receiving a blessing from Scripture?
Do you remember a time when a blessing from the Bible was prayed over you? Perhaps it came before a meal, at the end of a church service, or in a note from a faithful friend. Do you remember how it made you feel?
When Scripture is read aloud or shared in a note, it can bring peace, turn someone’s thoughts toward God’s goodness, and remind them of his unfailing love. It can also encourage them to keep growing in their faith and becoming more like Christ.
Here are some of my favorite blessings from Scripture to pray over others:
12 Beautiful Blessings from Scripture to Pray Over Others
Pray a Blessing for Peace
(1) May the LORD bless you and protect you. May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you. May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace.
Numbers 6:24-26
(2) Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.
2 Thessalonians 3:16
(3) May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.
2 Peter 1:2
Pray a Blessing for Hope
(4) I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13
Pray a Blessing for Protection and Care
(5) In times of trouble, may the LORD answer your cry. May the name of the God of Jacob keep you safe from all harm.
Psalm 20:1
(6) The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.
Psalm 121:8
Pray a Blessing for Wisdom and Spiritual Growth
(7) We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.
Colossians 1:9-10
(8) And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Ephesians 3:18-19
(9) May he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.
Hebrews 13:21
Pray a Blessing for Comfort and Strength
(10) I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.
Ephesians 3:16
(11) All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Pray a Blessing for Unity
(12) May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 15:5-6
How can you use these blessings?
These blessings can be used in many ways. They can become part of your daily prayers for others or be prayed before meals with your family. You can write them in a card or speak them over someone who needs encouragement. They can also be read at the beginning or end of a church gathering or service project. You could even make them the subject of a Bible study or your personal devotional time.
What is one of your favorite blessings from Scripture? In what ways do you like to use it? Share your thoughts with others in the post comments below or use my contact form to let me know.
Once you start looking, you’ll find a surprising number of blessings in Scripture. Start your own list of blessings to pray over others, beginning with the twelve from this post!
Let’s add one more for a baker’s dozen!
May the Lord be with your spirit. And may his grace be with all of you.
2 Timothy 4:22
Press on in faith, my friends!
–Jamie
Related Posts
Praying Scripture for God’s Direction
Designed for Prayer: the pause of a praying mantis
Praying God Protects Who We Love
Prayer Walking in the Wilderness
Among the Broken Shells: a poem to pray for others
Battles, Trust, and Holding Up
Bible Verses to Calm Worry and Anxiety
40 Bible Verses to Help you Hold on to Hope
God Watches Over You: Exploring Psalm 121
Inspiring Resources
What is a blessing according to the Bible?–gotquestions.org
How do I bless my children before bed?--desiringgod.org
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