How to Give a Blessing

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26

This is one of the ancient blessings for the nation of Israel as they grew to understand themselves and the people of God. As Henri Noun reminds us, "To give a blessing creates the reality of which it speaks”. After hearing this blessing day in and day out, these scattered people began to understand that this was Yahweh’s disposition toward them.

Today this blessing is still regularly used by the church. We regularly use it as our parting benediction on Sundays. And in fact, many mothers and fathers say it over their children daily as they send them off to school or right before they tuck them in to bed. It continues to create the reality for families that God does bless them and is gracious to them.

What blessings do you want to share with others in your life? Are there any, like this one, that you want to work into your daily rhythm?