HOW TO BLESS AND PRAY OVER OTHERS

As you prepare to bless someone during a time of prayer and ministry, take a quiet moment to listen for the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Ask God to reveal what He wants to affirm, heal, or encourage in the person you're blessing. Then, choose a Scripture and its declaration that speaks directly to that need. See the hyperlinks above, which link to the headings below, to help in selecting a verse or verses. Speak the Word of God over them with faith and love, boldly declaring what GOD’S WORD SAYS about who they are and what God is doing in their life. After you declare the blessing, pray that the truth of God’s Word would take root and bear fruit, that they would fully receive and walk in the blessing you have spoken. This is one way we participate in the ministry of reconciliation: helping one another align with what God says is true through the power of His Word.

This is only a partial list of verses and passages that can be used as spoken blessings. As you study the Word ask God to show you other passages suitable for use as spoken blessings, take note of them and use them to bless others. By doing so, you are sharing the life of Jesus, the Living Word!

IDENTITY IN CHRIST

2 Corinthians 5:17

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!
Declaration: GOD’S WORD SAYS you are a new creation in Christ. The old life is over. You are living in the fullness of the new life God created you for.

Romans 8:1

1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Declaration: GOD’S WORD SAYS you are free from condemnation. You are forgiven, accepted, and covered in the righteousness of Christ. You are empowered to live without shame.

Ephesians 2:10

10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Declaration: GOD’S WORD SAYS you are God’s masterpiece. You are divinely designed with purpose and equipped to do every good work He prepared just for you.

1 Peter 2:9

9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Declaration: GOD’S WORD SAYS you are chosen, royal, and holy. You belong to God and you are called to shine with His light and declare His glory.

Galatians 2:20

20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Declaration: GOD’S WORD SAYS you no longer live in your own strength. Christ lives in you. You are alive by faith and filled with the love and power of the Son of God.

PURPOSE AND DESTINY

Jeremiah 29:11

11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Declaration: GOD’S WORD SAYS you are walking in His good plans. You are filled with hope, secured by His future, and confident in His purpose for your life.

Philippians 1:6

6 Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Declaration: GOD’S WORD SAYS you are a work in progress with a guaranteed completion. God is faithful to finish what He started in you.

Psalm 139:16

16 Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
Declaration: GOD’S WORD SAYS your life is not a mistake or accident. Every day was written by God before you were born. You are living out a destiny He designed in love.

Romans 8:28

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Declaration: GOD’S WORD SAYS you are called by Him, and all things in your life are being worked together for your good. You are walking in divine purpose.

ENCOURAGEMENT AND STRENGTH

Isaiah 40:31

31 But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not be faint.
Declaration: GOD’S WORD SAYS your strength is being renewed. You are soaring above discouragement and walking in victory without weariness.

Joshua 1:9

9 Have I not commanded 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.
Declaration: GOD’S WORD SAYS you are strong and courageous. The Lord is with you at all times and in every place. You are empowered to overcome challenges.

2 Timothy 1:7

7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
Declaration: GOD’S WORD SAYS you are filled with the Spirit of power, love, and self-discipline. You are not ruled by fear but are bold and capable in every area of life.

Philippians 4:12–13

12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Declaration: GOD’S WORD SAYS you are content in every circumstance. You are strong in Christ, able to face anything through His power in you.

PEACE, HEALING, AND WHOLENESS

John 14:27

27 Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Declaration: GOD’S WORD SAYS you are filled with His peace. Your heart is untroubled and fearless. You are steady and secure in the presence of Christ.

Isaiah 26:3

3 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
Declaration: GOD’S WORD SAYS you are kept in perfect peace. Your mind is steadfast and your trust is secure. Peace is guarding your life.

Psalm 147:3

3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Declaration: GOD’S WORD SAYS you are healed from the inside out. His love is mending every wound, and your heart is being made whole.

3 John 1:2

2 Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.
Declaration: GOD’S WORD SAYS you are thriving in health, peace, and purpose. Every part of your life is coming into alignment with God’s blessing.

ACTIVATING FAITH AND BOLDNESS

Hebrews 10:35–36

35 So do not throw away your confidence. It will be richly rewarded. 36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
Declaration: GOD’S WORD SAYS your confidence in Him brings reward. You are full of endurance and ready to receive all that He has promised you.

Ephesians 3:20–21

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever. Amen.
Declaration: GOD’S WORD SAYS His power is working in you. You are part of something greater than yourself, and your life is bringing Him glory.

Mark 11:24

24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Declaration: GOD’S WORD SAYS your prayers are powerful. You are receiving what you ask for by faith. You are living in confident expectation of His answers.

SPEAKING BLESSING OVER OTHERS

Numbers 6:24–26

24 The Lord bless you and keep you.  25 The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.  26 The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
Declaration: GOD’S WORD SAYS you are held in God’s protection, bathed in His grace, and filled with His peace. You are blessed beyond measure and surrounded by divine favor.

Romans 15:13

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Declaration: GOD’S WORD SAYS you are filled with joy, overflowing with peace, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. You are overflowing with confident hope right now.

2 Thessalonians 3:16

16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
Declaration: GOD’S WORD SAYS you are constantly surrounded by the peace of Christ. In every moment and every situation, He is with you. You walk in continual peace and divine presence.

BLESSINGS FOR THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING

Psalm 34:18

18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Declaration: GOD’S WORD SAYS you are never alone. He is near to you in your brokenness and delivers you when your spirit feels crushed.

Isaiah 41:10

10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Declaration: GOD’S WORD SAYS His strength is holding you steady. You are upheld and secure in His mighty hand.

2 Corinthians 12:9

9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Declaration: GOD’S WORD SAYS His grace is enough for you. Your weakness is not a failure, but the place where Christ’s power rests on you.

Romans 8:18

18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Declaration: GOD’S WORD SAYS your suffering is temporary, but glory is eternal. You are moving toward a future that far outweighs today’s pain.

2 Corinthians 4:16–17

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

Declaration: GOD’S WORD SAYS you are being renewed every day. Your troubles are not wasted—they are producing lasting glory.

1 Peter 5:10

10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

Declaration: GOD’S WORD SAYS your suffering will not last forever. He Himself is restoring you, strengthening you, and setting you firm in His love.

Revelation 21:4

4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.

Declaration: GOD’S WORD SAYS every tear will be wiped away. Sorrow and pain will end, and you will live in the fullness of His new creation.

Deuteronomy 31:8

8 The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

Declaration: GOD’S WORD SAYS you are never abandoned. He goes before you, stays beside you, and will never forsake you.

Psalm 147:3

3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Declaration: GOD’S WORD SAYS your heart is not too shattered for His touch. He is binding up your wounds with His healing love.

Matthew 11:28–29

28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Declaration: GOD’S WORD SAYS Jesus gives you rest. In your weariness, He invites you to come and find peace for your soul.

John 16:33

33 I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

Declaration: GOD’S WORD SAYS you can take heart. Trouble is real, but Christ has already overcome the world on your behalf.

Romans 5:3–5

3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Declaration: GOD’S WORD SAYS your suffering is producing hope. What feels heavy today is shaping you for a future filled with His love.

Philippians 4:6–7

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Declaration: GOD’S WORD SAYS His peace guards you. Even in anxiety, His presence surrounds your heart and mind with peace beyond understanding.