Praying Over Your Children (Part 1)

Several years before I became a father, my pastor at the time preached one Sunday about blessing your children. He reminded us that children are a heritage from the Lord (Psalm 127:3). He also reminded us that we have an enemy who prowls like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8) and that our children are especially vulnerable. His message was so convicting that I decided that if the Lord ever blessed me with a child, I would pray a blessing over my child every night.

The blessing that I pray over my daughter Amanda is known as the Priestly Blessing. This blessing was given directly by God to Moses with the instruction that he and Aaron were to pray this blessing over the people of Israel: The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace (Numbers 6:24-26).

Consider for a moment what is packed into this powerful blessing. I am praying that God will give blessing to Amanda out of the abundance of his goodness. I am praying that the Almighty Creator of the Universe will protect her from evil. I am praying that the Father will find favor with her and extend to her his all-sufficient grace. I am praying that He will keep his eyes on my precious little girl and be blessed as she grows to know and love Him. I am praying that Amanda will receive and know the peace of God that passes all understanding.

Numbers 6:27 contains the promise from God that He will bless those who are given this blessing. I urge each and every father not only to pray every day with your children, but to pray a blessing over them. As our heritage given from the Father, let us not deprive our children of the blessings that He stands ready to pour out to them.