Speak blessing and favor over your family

For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; with favor You will surround him as with a shield. Psalm 5:12

Do you ever stop and think what and how you speak to your family members? It was a custom for the fathers of orthodox Jews on Friday evenings to lay his hands on his children and speak blessings over them. I wonder if there’s a connection to the fact that Jewish children grow up to be winners in the fight of life. They also become some of the world’s greatest inventors, bankers, musicians and entertainers.  

Even though they are a minority race, the Jews have produced the greatest number of Nobel Prize winners. Could it be that it is because they bless their children in the same way the patriarchs of the Old Testament did. I am convinced there is. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob released God’s blessings upon their children by laying hands on them and speaking forth the blessings and favor of God (Genesis 27:27-29, 38-40, 48:14-16).
 
The apostles in the New Testament spoke blessings over the churches they were preaching to. To the church at Philippi, Paul declared, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). John spoke a powerful blessing upon Gaius when he said, “Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health even as your soul prospers” (3 John 1:2).  

Also, Jesus spoke a blessing of deliverance on the daughter of the Syrophoenician woman, “go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter” (Mark 7:29). In the same manner the centurion took the blessing by faith and healing came upon his servant at home (Matthew 8:8-13).  

Friends, I want to encourage you to bless your loved ones. Declare over them, “The Lord blesses you and surrounds you with His favor as with a shield.” Speak forth your own blessings by declaring, “Thank You Lord, you abundantly supply all my needs, and I am in excellent health.  

There’s power in the blessing we speak on our loved ones. Be conscious of this from now on. I believe you will see the change. Praise God.