What is a blessing?

A blessing is a spoken or written declaration that expresses goodwill and asks for God’s favor—inviting His protection, His presence, and His provision to strengthen and uplift someone in their everyday walk.

What happens when we bless someone? 

By drawing on the wisdom of Scripture, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and an understanding of their struggles and needs, you can speak a blessing that brings comfort, encouragement, and support. This blessing helps them see a hopeful future and walk confidently in God’s love, favor, and care.

At its core, blessing someone is living out the Golden Rule—treating them the way you would want to be treated. It means taking their struggles, pain, challenges, and frustrations seriously so you can offer meaningful strength and comfort.

When you bless, you align yourself with God’s desire to bless others. A true blessing is grounded in God’s Word, which is why it matters to seek the Spirit’s guidance and make sure what you’re speaking is consistent with Scripture.

Ask yourself:  How can I bless this person in a way that anchors their heart in God’s love—and in my love for them?

Effective blessings:

• are rooted in the Bible

• are inspired by the Holy Spirit

• carry the promises of abundant life

• help people imagine a positive future

• strengthen hope

• affirm God’s unearned favor in their lives

A prayer of blessing is an act of faith directed toward a good, trustworthy God. The most powerful blessings often flow from the revelation and impressions God gives us. When we listen for His voice, we can bless with clarity and spiritual authority.

Blessings can flow from:

• what we notice naturally

• spiritual discernment

• prophetic revelation

• biblical wisdom

No matter the source, the goal is always the same: to speak blessings that touch the heart and draw God’s presence into a person’s life.

1. Protection - Invoke God’s protection to defend and safeguard the person from physical, emotional, mental, relational and/or spiritual harm that may try to come, or has already come, from the enemy (Satan and his minions), and/or the harshness, brokenness and wickedness of this world.  

2. Presence - The blessings that Jesus Christ brings with His presence are abundant and diverse. When Jesus is present, all aspects of who He is can become available to the person being blessed. As "the Prince of Peace," for example, Jesus can bring peace to those we bless. Consider what aspect of Jesus' perfect character is most needed by the person you are blessing, and use that specific attribute in your blessing. Additionally, when blessing others, it is beneficial to pray for believers to continually sense God's presence, guiding and comforting them in every aspect of their lives. For unbelievers, pray that God reveals Himself in real and tangible ways so they may come to know Him.

3. Provision - Ask God to meet the needs of the person by providing for their physical, financial, emotional, mental, relational and/or spiritual needs.  

🙏 Dear Heavenly Father, I lift up Michael to You and ask for Your divine protection over him. Please shelter him on the streets from any physical harm or any other evil that may want to come against his mind and heart. Keep him safe and at peace.

I pray that Your presence becomes abundantly evident in his life. Fill him with Your peace that surpasses all understanding. Reveal Yourself to him in real and tangible ways so he may come to know You and the fullness of Your love and grace.

Father, I also ask for Your provision to meet all of his needs—physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Provide for his financial needs through work opportunities where he can help and bless others, and guide him on the path You have set before him. May he experience Your goodness and faithfulness continually in every aspect of his life. Amen. 🙏

• ROLES - Identify the various roles they play in life and speak blessing into them. - Acknowledge and bless the various roles individuals play in their lives, such as husband, father, and/or businessman. When you bless the roles a person fulfills, you extend blessings to all those influenced by those roles.

  • "As a husband I bless you with a greater and deeper love and appreciation for your wife. May she feel the genuineness of your care for her and may she notice all your efforts and choices that you make to be a blessing to her." 

  • "I bless your relationship with your children, praying that the Lord strengthens the bonds of love and care among you, and that you may all experience many joyful moments together that deepen your connection."

• STRUGGLES & NEEDS - Find out where there's a struggle or need and speak blessing into it. - Identify areas of struggle, whether physical, mental, relational, emotional or spiritual and speak blessings accordingly. 

  • "I bless your digestive system with health and well-being..." 

  • "I bless you to experience the purity of a family feel in a community that richly cares for each other and supports one another. May you feel joy every time you partake of this spiritual family."

• SPIRITUAL MATURITY - Use God's Word to guide blessings aimed at spiritual growth and maturity. - Allow God's Word to inform the desired spiritual maturity and the godly outcome they need for His abundant life to thrive in them. Address negative qualities by praying for positive transformation (by praying the opposite of what's negative). 

  • "Lord, fill Carlos with peace and contentment in You and give him a sound mind to think and see things as You see things." 

• “I bless you Michael to embrace long-suffering patience in relationships and in waiting on God for His divine timing.”

• “I bless you Carol with a deep sense of God's calling and identity. May you experience a confident hope and a joy-filled sense of living in God's purpose for your life.”

• “ Sammie, I bless you with restored relationships in your family. May each family member experience His healing, grace and help to love other family members well and to walk in a manner worthy of Christ.”

• "I bless your work environment with the peace of God to saturate every room and influence every person and every interaction that happens there."

• "I bless you to see the goodness, experience the generosity, and feel the warmness of the love of God over your life."

When you’re praying a blessing over someone, you don’t have to guess. You can draw from four “streams” of insight that work together: what you observe, what you discern, what God reveals, and what Scripture says.

1. Your natural senses (what you notice)

God can use simple, everyday observation to guide your prayers.

• Observe: What do you see or hear that points to a real need? (stress, fatigue, confusion, fear, loneliness)

• Empathize: What emotions do you sense in them—anxiety, heaviness, discouragement?

• Listen well: What are they actually saying about their worries, pressures, or hopes?

Example: If someone is shivering in the cold, you can pray for warmth, covering, shelter, and provision.

2. Discernment (what might be underneath)

Discernment is noticing what’s really going on beyond the surface. It can be natural and spiritual.

• Natural discernment: Use wisdom from life experience—patterns you recognize, relationship dynamics you can pick up on, or clues in their behavior.

• Spiritual discernment: Ask the Holy Spirit to show you what you couldn’t know on your own—hidden burdens, spiritual resistance, deep needs.

Example: Someone who looks angry may actually be carrying hurt, rejection, or unforgiveness. You can pray for healing, comfort, and restoration.

3) Divine revelation (what God highlights)

Sometimes God gives specific direction while you pray.

• Practice listening prayer: Get quiet and ask, “Lord, what do You want to say or do for them?”

• Notice promptings: A strong inner nudge, a sudden thought, a picture, or a Scripture that comes alive.

• Seek confirmation: Keep a humble posture—pray again, and if appropriate, check with the person to see if it resonates.

Example: You may feel led to pray for financial provision even if they didn’t mention money. You can pray for God’s help with confidence and gentleness.

4) Biblical knowledge and wisdom (what God has already said)

Scripture keeps blessing prayers grounded, safe, and aligned with God’s heart.

• Pray Scripture: Use a verse, promise, or story that fits their situation.

• Apply biblical principles: God’s character and ways (He provides, guides, heals, gives wisdom, strengthens the weary).

• Stand on God’s promises: Pray them over the person with faith and tenderness.

Putting it all together

When you combine these four streams—observation, discernment, revelation, and Scripture—your blessing prayers become:

• more specific (not vague)

• more personal (not generic)

• more faith-filled (not fearful)

• more biblically aligned (not random)

The goal is simple: to speak life in a way that touches their heart and invites God’s presence into their situation.

Blessing of God on Abraham

2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. - Genesis 12:2-3 ESV

Blessing on the People of Israel

22 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 23 “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them,  24  The Lord bless you and keep you;  25  the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;  26  the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” - Numbers 6:22-26 ESV

Blessing on God's Anointed King

1 "May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob protect you! 2 May he send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Zion! 3 May he remember all your offerings and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices! Selah 4 May he grant you your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans! 5 May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners! May the Lord fulfill all your petitions! - Psalm 20:1-5 ESV

Blessing of The Apostle Paul to the Thessalonian Believers

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say. - 2 Thessaloninans 2:16-17 NLT

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. - 2 Thessalonians 3:16 NIV

Blessing of the Apostle John to Gaius

Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. - 3 John 1:2 NASB2020

Blessing of the Apostle Paul to the Philippians

And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:19 NLT

See Biblical Benedictions (blessings spoken over God's people) for more examples

•  For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. - John 1:16 ESV

• Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. - Ephesians 1:3-4 ESV

• And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. - 2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV

• Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. - James 1:17 NLT

• 1 May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, Selah 2 that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations. 3 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! 4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. Selah 5 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! 6 The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, shall bless us. 7 God shall bless us; let all the ends of the earth fear him! - Psalm 67 ESV

• Now, this is the goal: to live in harmony with one another and demonstrate affectionate love, sympathy, and kindness toward other believers. Let humility describe who you are as you dearly love one another. Never retaliate when someone treats you wrongly, nor insult those who insult you, but instead, respond by speaking a blessing over them—because a blessing is what God promised to give you. - 1 Peter 3:8-9 TPT

• But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. - Luke 6:27-28 NTV

"Blessing Your Spirit" by Arthur Burk and Sylvia Gunter is a Christian devotional book aimed at providing spiritual encouragement and growth. The authors present a series of daily blessing affirmations designed to nurture and strengthen the reader's spirit. Each chapter focuses on a different aspect of spiritual life, offering blessing prayers and scriptural insights to help individuals connect more deeply with God and understand their identity in Christ.

The book emphasizes the importance of speaking blessings over oneself and others, fostering a positive and faith-filled mindset. Through the use of biblical principles and personal reflections, Burk and Gunter guide readers in developing a closer relationship with God, enhancing their spiritual well-being, and experiencing the fullness of their spiritual potential.

Overall, "Blessing Your Spirit" is a resource for those seeking to deepen their spiritual journey and embrace the power of Scripture-based blessings in their daily lives.

• AMAZON Link: Blessing Your Spirit: With The Blessings Of Your Father And The Names Of God by Arthur Burk & Sylvia Gunter (book or Kindle e-book)