We are blessed to have spiritual parents who literally and figuratively guided us through the years. I remember that from Day 1 of being engaged until this day, our spiritual parents have been one of our inspiration, encourager, and role model about marriage life, finances & parenting, among other things. We were also fortunate to be their neighbors for about 3 years and witnessed how they lived their lives up close and personal.
One of the things they “walk the talk” was how to bless our children. MY husband and I figured out that there will be no harm in trying. So we did. Every morning, at an early age of 6 months, we would speak a prayer of blessing over his life; that he would grow up to be the man God wants him to be. Since I am a competitive mother, I would even add that he will be smart and talented.
Our son grew started reading before the age of two, won a junior golf tournament at the age of 7, breezed through school with high grades, joined an outreach when he was 11, and is currently involved in sports and music. He is also one of the Kids’ Church worship leaders in our local church.
I can go on and on but I think you get the picture now.
This morning, I smiled when I read an email from my MIL (mom-in-law) a copy of her friend’s subscription from New Creation (Singapore). Thirteen years of of speaking blessings over our children, our marriage, our business have proven to be a very powerful and effective shield for our family.
Psalm 5:12
12For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; with favor You will surround him as with a shield.
What do you believe and say to your loved ones every day? For orthodox Jews, on Friday evenings in their homes, the father lays his hands on his children and pronounces God’s blessings over them. No wonder Jewish children grow up to be winners in the fight of life! They become some of the world’s greatest inventors, bankers, musicians and entertainers. Although a minority race, the Jews have produced the most number of Nobel Prize winners. I believe that it is because they bless their children in the same way the patriarchs of the Old Testament did. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob released God’s blessings upon their children by laying hands on them and speaking forth the blessings. (Genesis 27:27–29, 38–40; 48:14–16)
In the New Testament, the apostles pronounced blessings over the churches they were preaching to. To the church in Philippi, Paul declared, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19) John released a powerful blessing upon Gaius when he said, “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” (3 John 1:2)
Even Jesus pronounced a blessing of deliverance on the daughter of the Syro-Phoenician woman — “go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter”. (Mark 7:29) This was a blessing of deliverance by proxy. The woman took it by faith and found that her daughter was well when she reached home. (Mark 7:30) Likewise, the centurion took the blessing by faith and healing came upon his servant back home. (Matthew 8:8–13) The parents of a little girl did the same thing while worshiping in our church. Their daughter was in hospital in the final stages of cancer. When I pronounced the blessing of healing that Sunday, they received it and pronounced it over their daughter. She was soon discharged from the hospital healed!
My friend, bless your loved ones. Declare over them, “The Lord blesses you and surrounds you with His favor as with a shield.” Speak forth your own blessings by declaring, “Thank You Lord, You prosper me and I am in excellent health!”
