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.
Numbers 6:24-26 NIV
Is this passage of Scripture familiar to you? In the church tradition with which I'm most familiar, it's used as a benediction. That's a term for what the pastor says as a blessing over the congregation at the end of a service.
I have begun praying this blessing to gain more peace. In the busy days that always descend upon us at this time of year, all of us are looking for extra peace. Responsibilities pile up. Schedules get full. And, anxieties arise. We don't want to be stressed, but stress often blocks the perfect peace God offers to us.
By praying this benediction in stress-filled moments, I've felt God's peace wash over me. Maybe it's because I felt peace in the thousands of times I've heard this prayed over me in church. This year, I've thought, "Why not pray this over myself in the moments I need peace the most?"
I encourage you to memorize these few verses so you can have a ready-made prayer in stressful moments. As you recite them, create mental pictures so they stick in your memory. I imagine God placing his hand of blessing on my head and keeping me close. When I picture his face turning toward me, I feel loved and accepted. With his face shining on me, my anxieties fade. That's when God's peace settles on me, and I feel calm once more.
Try it this week, and let me know if it helps increase your peace levels. I pray this cycle of memorization, meditation and prayer on Numbers 6:24-26 will usher peace right into the middle of your busy season.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for promising peace to me. Because you are gracious, I can enjoy peace that lasts even when anxieties threaten me. Create peaceful spaces in my busy season, where I can enjoy moments of calm with you.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.
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Have a wonderful weekend!
Blessings and God's peace to you,
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Reflection questions:
1. When does your stress get triggered?
2. How can this simple practice help you choose peace when triggered?
2. How can this simple practice help you choose peace when triggered?
Sarah, second time this morning this verse has crossed my path. I love when God works this way in my life. Grateful He brings us peace through His Word.
ReplyDeleteTo blatantly honest, stressed people bring me stress. I take on their anxiety and stress in my body and start trying to "fix" them or their dilemma. Yuk! I love Numbers 6:24-26. I have never prayed this passage. I know that God's word will not return to him empty, it will accomplish what He sent it out to do. I look forward to seeing what He accomplishes in my world with these verses. Thanks Sarah.
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