How to Speak Blessings: Biblical practices for modern life

Don’t you just love to get gifts for your grandkids? I know I do. In fact, I have to really try not to shower them with presents every time I see them. I mean a kid’s room can only hold so much.

One place grandparents don’t have to hold back, though, is when we speak blessings over our grandkid’s lives. From precious preschoolers to treasured teenagers we can give our grandchildren a lasting gift when we intentionally imitate the Biblical practice of blessing our grandchildren.

If you’re not familiar with the concept of speaking blessings, it means calling forth God’s plan and favor for someone. Here is a famous blessing:

Parents and grandparents have the right to speak blessings over the children in their family and if we can, why wouldn’t we?

Is it Biblical to speak blessings?

Pastors have the right to bless. In 2 Chronicles 30:27 the priests and Levites blessed the people of Israel.

Jesus blessed people, of course, including children (Mark 10:16)

But regular people in the Bible also spoke blessings. Starting in Genesis chapter 27, Isaac gives a blessing to his sons. This is kind of a sad story, because Esua was tricked out of his blessing, but it shows that the tradition of blessing was established even this early.

Next in Genesis 49, Jacob speaks blessings over his 12 sons and his 2 grandsons Ephraim and Manasseh. In the New Testament, Paul was fond of starting each of his letters with a blessing like this blessing from Colossians 1:11-12 NLT:

We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.

So, speaking blessings was a regular practice in the Bible. Yet apart from blessing someone after they sneeze, we don’t seem to do this much in the 21^st century. Honestly, I had never heard of it as a modern-day practice. But if I have the chance of blessing those I love, I say, Sign Me Up.

How do I speak blessings over my grandchildren?

First, give some thought to who they are as a person. Are they quiet and watchful or bold and energetic? Athletic, musical, funny, talkative? Bless the qualities they seem to have been born with.

For babies and young children.

When kids are little, and still developing, it’s hard to know who they may become. But you can give them a general blessing like

“(Child’s name), you are a gift from God and an important part of our family. Our family is bigger and stronger because of you. May you walk in your identity as God’s child and may God,  who began a good work in you bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.  (based on Philippians 1:6) May you grow up to be the person God wants you to be. May you grow strong and be healthy mentally and physically. Bless this child, O Lord; cover him with favor as with a shield.” (based on Psalm 5:12)

It’s probably wise to get their parent’s approval first. I would also recommend writing their blessing down, so you don’t forget anything in the moment.

For older children.

You can probably be more specific in your blessing with an older child as the person they are becoming comes into focus. What qualities do you see present in them? What are their interests?

Biblical skills and abilities.

Ephesians 4:11 talks about Christ giving apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers to equip his people for works of service. Do you see a budding pastor among your grandchildren? Romans 12:6-8 talks about different spiritual gifts: prophesying, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leading and mercy. Do you have a natural encourager among your grandkids?

In Exodus 31, God chose Bezelel to design and build the Temple in the wilderness. His gifts included skill in gold, silver and bronze, cut and set stones, work in wood and all sorts of crafts. In Acts 9, Tabitha’s legacy was her beautiful sewing. What skills do your grandchildren have that you might encourage by speaking a blessing?

What do you see?

Talk to God about what gifts you see in your grandchildren and ask Him about the talents you may not see.

Talk to your grandchildren, too. Find out what they want to do in the future. I know they all want to be dancers and firefighters at some point but there might be something else, too.

Is this a good time?

After you’re done researching, write out your blessing and pick a time to deliver it. It could be a birthday, the day before school starts, or before a mission trip. Or it could be after a regular Sunday dinner, before bed, or even over the phone. Explain to your grandchildren that this was something people in the Bible did and now as a senior member of your family, it’s now something you want to do for them.

Maybe something like,

(Child’s name), I am so grateful that God chose you for our family. You are a joy and a blessing. I see so much potential in you and I believe you have a bright future ahead of you. I see in you the gift of _______________________, and I pray you will have many chances to use this gift and that it will grow strong in your life.

(Child’s name, the Lord has plans for you, plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)  May you be blessed by living out your plans to ___________________ and find great success there. Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. (Proverbs 16:3) And as the Lord said to Joshua, I also say to 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) May the Lord bless your present and your future.

Maybe you need a more general blessing.

You bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover him with favor as with a shield. (Psalm 5:12) and I ask that (Child’s name) will walk in your ways and that you will cover him/her with your favor as  a shield. I pray your word will be their guide and authority. Lord I ask that you will walk with (Child’s name). Be their guide and protector today and in all the days in their future.

Speak blessings at major events.

There’s something about the big events in life – graduation, leaving home, marriage- that make us want to go beyond the superficial and say what’s on our hearts. Even a birthday is a perfect time to speak blessings over your grandchild. (If you’ve been consistent, they may be expecting it and looking forward to what you have to say.)

Blessing for a graduate.

(Child’s name), today you stand at the beginning of an important path. Your life will be marked now into before graduation and after. As it says in 1 Samuel “Go, and the Lord be with you”. May you be blessed with success in this new stage of life.

Walk in God’s ways and may his peace and favor be with you always. Do not forget God’s word and make sure to talk to Him every day. Then you have a strong foundation to build your future on.

I am proud of you for graduating – for your hard work and for doing what it took to reach this day. And I am always proud to be your grandma because you are a kind, loving person and so fun to be around. May God shower you with unexpected blessing today and always.

A blessing on you, dear reader

God bless you as you take a place of spiritual leadership in your family. May He give you insight into your grandchildren and His purposes for them so that you can lead them into all He has for them. Let all your grandchildren find the sustaining love of Jesus now and follow Him all of their days.

May God bless you as you walk in obedience to Christ and may He permit your family to live in his favor for generations to come.

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Want to know more?

There is a book called The Blessing, and it is all about how to speak blessings over your family. You can find it here.

While you’re waiting for your book to arrive, you can read these posts:

Morning prayers for your grandchildren. Find it here.

21 quotes about leaving a legacy. Click here.