A favorite prayer practice of mine is to pray blessings over people–whether it’s in a child dedication ceremony, a birthday greeting, an email signature, or praying with someone in church. I often use one of these 12 biblical benedictions to pray over someone. These benedictions have been adapted from Bible verses.
I’ve never heard anyone object to receiving such a prayer and have frequently been told that one of these blessings had a powerful effect on someone, even when it was offered briefly and in passing.
It blesses us to bless others and also fulfills the biblical admonition to “let your conversation be always full of grace” (Colossians 4:6, NIV), and to “encourage one another and build each other up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11, NIV).
