Ever Interceding

Praying the Blessing

BY DIANA BROWN

Do you desire to pray effectively over your loved ones? Do you hear others pray these long, articulate prayers and wonder if their prayers are better? Thankfully, praying over someone is uncomplicated and no articulateness is necessary. Remember one simple truth: when you pray over someone, you are ever interceding, or pleading, on their behalf. When you intercede, you are placing yourself between the other person and God, pleading to God on their behalf. That is a significant place to be.

If you want to take your prayer life up a level, I encourage you to pray scripture over the matter of your prayers. God’s Word is powerful. Through His Word, He created the world. He said the simple words, “Let there be light,” and light appeared. So it was with the rest of creation. The power of his Word is echoed in Isaiah 55:11, (ESV) “...so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” There is power in His words, and thankfully we can use those words in our prayers.

In the book, “The Blessing,” Gary Smalley and John Trent teach us how to pray God’s blessing over our loved ones IF YOU WANT TO TAKE YOUR PRAYER LIFE and friends. It is a blessing for us to bless others and UP A LEVEL, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO PRAY fulfill the biblical admonition to “let your speech always SCRIPTURE OVER THE MATTER OF YOUR be gracious” (Colossians 4:6 ESV) and to “encourage one PRAYERS. GOD’S WORD IS POWERFUL. another and build one another up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV). Along with the honor of interceding for others, it is especially powerful to pray specific “blessing prayers” from Scripture over our loved ones, friends, church family and, yes, even our “enemies.” Not only has God commanded us to pray for others, but He has also given us numerous ways to do so that please His heart and align with His kingdom purposes.

HERE ARE SOME VERSES FROM GOD’S WORD OF BLESSING PRAYERS TO PRAY FOR OTHERS:

Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate ________ from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans. 8:39 ESV)

How great is the love the Father has lavished on _________________, that _________ should be called a child of God! (I John 3:1 ESV)

The Lord your God is with you, __________, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in __________; in His love He will no long rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17 ESV)

I have loved _________________ with an everlasting love; therefore, I have continued my faithfulness to _________________. (Jeremiah 31:3 ESV)

For God gave _________________ a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. (II Timothy 1:7 ESV)

Through each day the LORD pours His unfailing love upon _________________, and through each night, _________________, sing His songs, praying to God who gives you life. (Psalm 42:8 ESV)

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous _________________. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. ( Joshua 1:9 ESV)

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding, _________________. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5,6 ESV)

You are no longer a foreigner or alien, _________________, but a fellow citizen with God’s people and a member of God’s own family. (Psalm 130:7,8 ESV)

Come to Me, _________________. You are tired from carrying a heavy burden, but I will give you rest. Yoke up with Me, for I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest for your soul. For My yoke is easy to wear and My burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30, ESV paraphrased)

May you, _________________, be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for allendurance and patience with joy. (Colossians 1:11 ESV)

It is always good to pray blessings for and over others. What an incredible way to love them and to show that love! In 2022, I encourage you to pray scripture over your loved ones, friends, and anyone that the Lord places in your path. What an honor we have to be ever interceding in others’ lives with His powerful Word!

I am praying the following over you:

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 ESV)

Father God,

Thank you for Your great love and blessing over our lives. Thank You that Your favor has no end, but it lasts for our entire lifetime. Forgive us for, at times, forgetting that You are deeply aware of all of our ways, that You know what concerns us, and that You cover us, as with a shield. We ask for Your help, so that we might walk fully in Your blessing and goodness today and every day. We ask that Your face would shine on us, that You would open and close doors as You see fit in our lives. Establish the work of our hands to accomplish all that You have given us to do in our day. We pray that You would make our way purposeful and our footsteps firm in Your goodness and love. Give us hearts of wisdom to hear, follow, and obey Your voice.

In Jesus’ name, AMEN.