In the book of Genesis we find the blessing that Ya’akov pronounced over Yosef and his sons:
He (Ya’akov) blessed Yosef, saying: “The God before whom my fathers Avraham and Yitz’chak walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the boys; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Avraham and Yitz’chak; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.”
Genesis 48:15-16
Parenthood is a privilege and a huge responsibility given to us by Yehovah, giving us the opportunity to shape our children’s lives. Just as in every aspect of life, He does His part and we do ours; by relating to our children, we can understand how our Eternal Father relates to us.
Unfortunately today, many don’t want children, as demographic statistics show. And those who have them often don’t know how to raise them, resulting in children ending up with strangers or simply within the educational/social systems.
The Scriptures teach us how to be parents by providing models to follow. One of these practices is blessing our children explicitly, intelligently, and consistently. This isn’t referring to the simple, unconscious daily phrase “God bless you” said at goodbye, which loses meaning over time.
We are talking about a blessing inspired by the Spirit of Yehovah, so that when we speak it over our children, it is serious and impactful—etched into their minds and hearts permanently. If you haven’t started doing this yet, what are you waiting for?
In Numbers 6 we find the blessing that Yehovah commanded the priests to place upon His people. Since one of the roles of the father is to act like a “priest”, interceding for his children before Yehováh, why not pray for our children following the model given in Scripture?
Yehovah bless you and keep you;
Yehovah make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
Yehovah lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.”Numbers 6:24–26
What effect can this have on the lives of our children? First, they will be aware that they have been entrusted to the Almighty Creator for guidance and protection. Throughout life we face many dangers—not just physical, but of all kinds. When children know they can count on such protection, it makes them secure and firm in their decisions.
Second, when we invoke Yehovah to “cause His face to shine” on them, we are praying for discernment for them. God continuously manifests Himself in their lives, but if they don’t discern it, they will attribute what happens to luck—good or bad. For this to happen, the mercy of Yehovah must come into play. No one deserves for Him to make His face shine on them; if it happens, it’s because, in an outpouring of His goodness, God lets Himself be perceived—and that transforms lives.
Lastly, when we declare that Yehovah lift His face upon your child and give them peace, we are asking Him to focus on our child specifically—like asking Him, among the crowd of people, to identify our child by name and, once found, give them the certainty that everything is under His control. Only this can bring the peace that surpasses all understanding, enabling a person to stay sober-minded, prudent, clear in judgment, and grateful even in the greatest difficulties.
This is an invitation to pray consciously and intelligently; empty repetitions are useless and are abominable before Yehovah, but a sincere, heartfelt prayer has great potential to reach our Father’s throne and receive a response.
And when you pray, don’t babble on and on like the pagans, who think God will hear them better if they talk a lot.
Mattew 6:7
May Yehovah give you wisdom and direction to pray and bless your children well.
Many people don’t want to have children. And those who do often don’t know what to do with them or how to raise them, so they end up in the hands of strangers or in the educational and social systems.