When your child lies down at bedtime, tell them that you are going to give them a blessing. Explain that you will draw a cross (or a heart) on their forehead or on the back of their hand as you say a special blessing for them. Let them choose where they want it drawn, or not. Be present to your child in the moment. Make comfortable eye contact and smile. Draw the symbol slowly as you look into their eyes and repeat one of the five blessings listed below. Always begin with your child’s name.
- (Child’s Name), you are a blessing.
- (Child’s Name), the Lord bless you and keep you. (Numbers 6:24)
- (Child’s Name), may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace. (Romans 15:13)
- (Child’s Name), may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God be with you. (2 Cor. 13:14)
- (Child’s Name), the Lord will watch over your life no matter where you go, now and forever. (Psalm 121:8)
https://www.ibelieve.com/blogs/noelle-kirchner/five-powerful-blessings-to-speak-over-your-child.html
Examples of blessings for children:
God has entrusted me with the things and people He created.
(Child’s name), may you know the joy that comes from caring for others? May your heart be open to the needs of the people around you.
May you give of yourself, help those who need it, and carry the burdens of your neighbors. (Child’s name), always remember that by helping someone else, you are truly serving Jesus.
May your life be filled with the blessings that come from meeting the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of others.
God transforms me when I step out in faith.
(Child’s name), may you have the courage to take steps outside of your comfort zone, trusting that God will be with you wherever you go.
May you experience God’s presence, faithfulness, and deep love for you as you learn to live as a person of faith.
God fills me with His love so I can give it away.
(Child’s name), may you understand the deep love God has for you. May you always remember He sent His one and only Son so that you might live.
May this example of love set the standard for the way you love others throughout your lifetime. Never forget that God fills you with His love so you, in turn, can give that love away to others.
God has a big story, and I am a part of it.
(Child’s name), may you seek to intimately know your Creator and the Author of your story.
May your story, which was ordained before even one day came to be, glorify God as you share it with others. Always remember you are a part of the greatest story ever told!
God knows me, and I can know Him.
(Child’s name), may you KNOW that God is here—He sees you. May you feel His presence, listen for His voice, and experience His love.
KNOW that God is mighty to save and because of this you never have to be afraid.
May you have eyes to see God working all around you, and may you know and never forget God is with you and wants you to know Him.
I belong to God, and He loves me.
(Child’s name), may you know and understand that the mighty and powerful God who created the heavens and the earth loves you, chose you, and has adopted you into His family.
When things get hard, may you be strengthened by knowing that you belong to Him.
(Child’s name), go out today with confidence in the fact that you are a child of God and that He created you in His wonderful image.
When I get off track, God offers me a path of healing.
(Child’s name), God has marked a course for you to follow. He has a plan and a purpose for your life. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus.
Things in this world will try to draw you off course, but fix your eyes on the ultimate goal. Life may include hazards and troubles but stay the course.
May you find joy in the comfort that comes after the discomfort of correction, and may you feel the thrill of a life lived according to the course marked out for you.
God’s family cares for each other and worships God together.
(Child’s name), God loves you beyond measure. He did not design you to go through life alone—He wants you to journey in community.
May you always remember your faith community can pray for you and help lighten the load of life’s difficult times.
Be on the lookout for ways you can serve others in your community too. When you do, you will be sharing the love God has freely bestowed on you.
I see Christ in others, and they can see Him in me.
(Child’s name), may you know that God loves you so much. His love for you is so deep that He entrusted you with being His model in this world.
May you feel the weight of this responsibility, and may it also bring you great joy. Reflect God to everyone you meet through your words, actions, and attitudes.
May many people come to know, love, and serve God by watching your life and example.
https://ministryspark.com/blessings-for-children/
When we look to Jesus, how does He speak about us? Each of these is a blessing! You are (I am)……
- loved (John 3:16)
- forgiven (1 John 1:9)
- God’s workmanship (Ephesians 2:10)
- never alone (Matthew 28:20b)
- chosen (1 Peter 1:9)
- protected from the evil one (2 Thessalonians 3:3)
For further reading… The Blessing: Giving the gift of unconditional love and acceptance, John Trent & Gary Smalley