Blessing Prayer

Model

  1. “God we know you are good and we are thankful that you hear us when we pray…

  2. WAIT

  3. “I thank you for what you are doing in their life, the things you have done and the things you have just begun.”

  4. “I ask for more of your work in their life, more of what you have been doing.” (Things to ask for more of: Know God More - Find Greater Freedom - Clearly Understand Purpose - Make a Difference)

  5. WAIT- (Silently ask God what to pray for)

  6. RISK - (If you think of something to pray for then pray it)

  7. Finish with Blessing (Options Below)

Examples of Blessing Prayers to Close

"Lord bless my (brother or sister) and keep them; Lord make your face shine on them and be gracious to them, Cause them to know that you see them and give them peace. Amen” - Numbers 6:24

“Lord answer my (brother or sister) when they are in distress, protect them.  Help them, support them.  Lord meet them in their times of prayer, and cause them to know you accept them.  Lord give them the deep desires of their souls and let them find what they are chasing after.  Lord hear their prayers and grant their requests. Amen” - Psalm 20:1-5

Lord, strengthen my (brother or sister) with power through Your Spirit so that they may live by faith. Lord anchor them in love that they may have power to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is Your love. I pray that they would know this love that surpasses knowledge—and that you would fill them with all the fullness of God. Amen. Ephesians 3:16-19

 Lord, I pray for my (brother or sister) that their love may grow more and more in knowledge and depth.  Give them discernment and fill them with the fruit of righteousness. Amen. - Philippians 1:9-11

God, fill my (brother or sister) with the knowledge of your will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives.  Strengthen them to live a life that pleases you in every way.  Help them bear fruit in every good work, and grow in the knowledge of You.  Grow in them great endurance and patience, that they would give joyful thanks to you their Father. Amen. - Colossians 1:9-12

May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. - 2 Thessalonians 3:16-16

This makes me uncomfortable, I don’t want to Pray

God calls his people to walk by faith, which involves risk, and many times is outside of our comfort zone.  The Bible tells us, “Let each of you look not to his own interests but the interests of others…” Phil 2:4  The question is will you risk being uncomfortable so that someone else might be blessed?  Will you risk discomfort to fight for your brother or sister in Christ and let them know they are not alone?  God may be calling you to walk in faith and pray for someone, or to humble yourself and ask for prayer because He is working a blessing for them and is calling you to be a part of it.  If we are going to see God work in our church it is going to involve risk and surrender.  “Bear one anothers burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Gal 6:2

I’m a wreck, I should not be praying for anyone

The Bible calls all people to pray.  The Bible does not say, “if you think you’re a good enough person then you can pray.” In fact the Bible seems to say the exact opposite, that those who are forgiven much, love much.  If you feel like your life is a wreck, then you are the exact type of person who should be praying for others.  You know how hard life is and the struggles that come with following Jesus.  Those who know that they are in need of forgiveness come to the Father in sincerity and humility, instead of pretending they have it all together.  Those are the exact types of people we want praying for others.  Sincere, humble people are the exact type of people we want fighting for others in their weakness, struggles and pain.

they had a terrible week, Do you still pray for more?

They made it to church and heard the Word of God. Now a brother or sister in Christ is praying for them and fighting on their behalf.  All of this is evidence of God working.  They may be having a very difficult time right now but God is doing something no matter how small it may seem, and we pray for more of it.

How do I know if God gave me something to pray?

If God has something He wants you to pray, He will put that on your heart.  If you’re not sure if it’s from God, ask yourself the ABC’s:

  1. Advocate - Does this sound like I am for them not against them?

  2. Biblical - Is this biblical?

  3. Christlike - Can you picture Jesus saying this?

If it passes the A,B,C’s test then trust God and pray it in faith. It might feel like a risk, but risk it out of love for the other person.

What if I do it wrong?

Nobody dies.  There is nothing in the Christian life that we get exactly right all the time.  Preachers make mistakes, worship leaders make mistakes, and Christians try things and that don’t work out sometimes, and that is perfectly ok.  We can walk in faith and humility, by saying, “I feel like God, you want me to pray for…” If you avoid the dogmatic “God-told-me-to-tell-you…” type of attitude, then we can all learn to be better led by the Spirit together.  In the end there is no “wrong” way to pray.

This is not an interrogation

If someone is praying for you, they don’t need anything from you.  In fact, if you feel like you are meeting with God you should continue to do that while they are praying.  If you want to share what is going on in your heart you may, but you don’t have to.  If you do share, share what is going on, and what is happening in your heart, then let the Holy Spirit lead them into what to pray for.

Why we do this

This model is built around the ways we see God working in scripture

Praying for one another

“Pray for one another”

James 5:16

Laying hands

“And he took them and blessed them laying his hands on them.” - Mark 10:16

God desires to meet with you

“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near” - Isaiah 55:6

Meeting With God

“I will meet with you, to speak to you there.” - Exodus 29:42

Stillness

Stillness

“Be still and know that I am God.” - Psalm 46:10

He is always working something

“And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion.”

Philippians 1:6

He is giving and kind and desire to give more

“Fill them with the fullness of God.” - Ephesians 3:19

“May the Lord make your love increase and overflow…”

1 Thessalonians 3:12

God will give you what you need

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.”

Psalm 37:7

God will give you what you need

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” - James 1:5

God speaks to us and leads us

“Incline your ear, and come to me; Listen, that your soul may live.” Isaiah 55:3

“For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us.” - Romans 8:26

The people of God bless others

“You shall bless the people…” Num 6:23