New Year Blessings

On January 1st, we were in our hometown for the first time in five years for the start of a new year and we had the privilege of gathering in my parent's home with most of my family for a blessing from my mom and dad. My brothers were there, with their wife/girlfriend, along with my sister, all the nieces and nephews and a few friends of the family. My mom gave a short, uplifting talk about God's promises for this new year, and my dad exhorted everyone to stay in The Word and and in prayer. Then they went around the room and individually prayed for each one present. It was moving and, even more so, important. I think there is deep spiritual significance to a blessing passed on from the elders in the family. It was important part of Biblical family life and has been largely lost in modern days by Western Christians. For me, this was the most meaningful way to begin 2008- in the presence of God, surrounded by family, and with a blessing from Mom and Dad.

Here we are, all together for Christmas:


I am reposting a blessing Heather posted on our other blog. I printed it off at the time and have it sitting in my kitchen. I have used it as a basis for praying God's blessings on my children several times.

PASTORAL BLESSING

In the Name of Jesus Christ, I bless you with the promises of God, which are “yes and amen”. The Holy Spirit make you healthy and strong in body, mind and spirit to move in faith and expectancy. May God’s angels be with you to protect and keep you.

Be blessed with supernatural strength to turn your eyes from foolish, worthless and evil things. Instead, may you behold the beauty of things that God has planned for you as you obey His Word.

I bless your ears to hear the lovely, the uplifting, and the encouraging, and to shut out the demeaning and the negative. May your feet walk in holiness and your steps be ordered by the Lord. May your hands be tender, helping hands to those in needs, hands that bless. May your heart be humble and receptive to one another and to the things of God, and not to the world. May your mind be strong, disciplined, balanced and faith-filled.

God’s grace be upon your home, that it may be a sanctuary of rest and, renewal, a haven of peace where sounds of joy and laughter grace its walls, where love and unconditional acceptance of one another is consistent.

God give you spiritual strength to overcome the evil one and avoid temptation. God’s grace be upon you to fulfill your dreams and visions. May goodness and mercy follow you all the days of your long life.

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.

I bless you in Jesus’ Name.

(posted by Reese)