Recently I went with a friend to adoration. After it was over we were standing around talking about some upcoming events. There was a knock on the door. It was his family. Before they left, he put his hands on his daughter’s head and prayed a blessing over her. I talked to him about that. It happens every night. The words he used were quite powerful and I didn’t realize how powerful till later.
So I went home and thought about it. Then I called in my youngest daughter and I said I want to do something. My wife knew I was up to something, but I hadn’t told her what yet. I prayed over her. Kissed her good night. My wife stuck out her lip teasingly and said, “I want one, too.” So I prayed over her too. I have every night since. I intend to do so for as long as they’ll let me. I wish I had done it with my older children, but I think they’d freak if I tried to now. If they ever ask me to, I’ll do it for them too.
So what about those of us who aren’t great with words? Well luckily have been promised that “the Spirit […] comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groaning.” (Romans 8:26) This verse to me describes the Sacred Scriptures to a T. The spirit has spoken to men and inspired them to write words for us for when we do not know how to pray as we should. So we turn to it in faith and trust. Why do I mention this? Because of the words that my friend used when praying for his children.
May the Lord bless you and keep you!
May the Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!
May the Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace!Numbers 6:24-26
You see, the words he used are the ones that were given to Moses and Aaron to bless the Israelites. The next verse, 6:27, says the following: So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites, and I will bless them. This I believe goes for each of us, as the spiritual leaders of our homes, to place our hands on our children’s heads and call on the name of the Lord to bless them. What about you? Are you praying over your family? Are you calling down the blessings of your God on your children to protect and guide them? When I mentioned it to my friend, I said “I wish I had done that with my kids.” He said the words that I am going to write to each of you right now: “It’s never too late to start.”