Jesus took the children in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them. Mark 10:16
I served God in an orphanage when I lived in India. I taught Bible lessons to the older kids and helped them with their reading.
I also loved to pray over every infant in the nursery, especially for their salvation. My thought was, “I don’t know who will adopt this precious baby. I’m sure every mother prays for her children, but to whom will she pray?”
As parents and grandparents, we have daily opportunities to bless, affirm and encourage our children. Our simple, yet life-defining, prayers shape our children’s character. We see the fruit of those prayers forming right before our eyes.
Now, imagine the impact a weekly formal blessing could have. A formal blessing is expansive and powerful; one that calls out God’s destiny in them.
Laying your hands on head of your child is an important part of the formal blessing. Symbolically, you are their covering; you have spiritual authority over their life. That gives the blessing weight as God’s Word settles in their heart. Physically placing your hands on their head also creates an intimate and personal atmosphere.
Secondly, a formal blessing is pronounced out loud. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing the Word of God. Their ears will hear, and their hearts will eventually follow. One more way to write God’s Word on their hearts.
The traditional blessing is the High Priestly blessing from Numbers 6:24. Of course, you don’t have to limit yourself to that scripture. Choose any verse you what to see formed in your child and agree with God in prayer. Declare your biblically based blessing as if it is already. You are decreeing what you expect to take place.
Angels spring into action upon hearing God’s word (Ps. 103:20). Your formal blessing will not only dispel darkness, but it will set the course of your child’s future.
Sample Blessings:
Preschool:
We declare that you experience the joy of knowing Jesus. May you know Him and the power of His resurrection. May you know and receive His great love. We declare that you sense God upon you and around all day. In Jesus’ glorious name.
School Age:
We decree that a fiery passion for Jesus burn in your heart. We declare you receive a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit and power. We speak that you have an intimate relationship with Jesus and prophetic revelation flows from that secret place. We say that you are ignited to be used by God. Amen.
Preteen and Older:
We decree that you see your identity and destiny in Jesus the Messiah. We say that you perceive through the eyes of the Spirit your purpose unfolding before you. We declare any blindness or confusion preventing you from seeing your bright future are destroyed in Jesus’ name. We declare that everything you are called to accomplish shall come to pass, and every prophetic word from heaven shall bear fruit. Yes and Amen.