Ethan Walker
May the Lord bless and keep you is a benediction prayer that is commonly used in Christian and Jewish faith communities, including Roman Catholic services. The prayer is also known as Aaron's Blessing, the Aaronic Blessing, or the Priestly Blessing. It is found in Numbers 6:24-26 of the Bible and is believed to be one of the oldest poems in the text. The prayer is a request for God's blessing, protection, grace, and peace. It is often used during worship services, baptisms, and weddings, and is sometimes accompanied by the Sign of the Cross of Christ.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of prayer | Benediction Prayer |
| Other names | Aaron's Blessing, Aaronic Blessing, Priestly Blessing |
| Bible reference | Numbers 6:24-26 |
| Meaning | God's protection keeps us in a covenant relationship with him |
| God's face shining upon us speaks of His smile and the pleasure He takes in His people | |
| God is a personal Father who pays attention to His children as individuals | |
| God's blessing after a worship service | |
| God's blessing at the end of a baptismal service | |
| God's blessing at a wedding ceremony |
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What You'll Learn
The Benediction Prayer
The different parts of the prayer have different meanings for worshippers. The first part, "May the Lord bless you," summarizes the covenant between God and His people, emphasizing that we are truly blessed only in our relationship with God as our Father. God's protection keeps us in a covenant relationship with Him, just as the Lord kept Israel, and Jesus Christ is our Shepherd, guiding us and keeping us from getting lost.
The next part, "May the Lord make his face shine upon you," speaks of God's presence and His pleasure in His people. His grace toward us is a result of His love and faithfulness, not something we deserve. "May the Lord turn his face toward you" reminds us that God is a personal Father who pays attention to His children as individuals and has chosen us. "May the Lord give you peace" invites or asks God for divine blessing, help, guidance, and peace.
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Blessings and Curses
Blessings are a significant part of Catholic tradition and are often performed by bishops, priests, and sometimes deacons. The act of blessing is an infusion of something with holiness, divine will, or one's hopes. The Bible contains numerous references to blessings, with the Book of Deuteronomy prescribing that obedience to the Torah brings God's blessing.
One of the most well-known blessings in Catholicism is the Benediction Prayer, also known as Aaron's Blessing, the Aaronic Blessing, or the Priestly Blessing. This prayer is found in Numbers 6:24-26 and is believed to be one of the oldest poems in the Bible. The prayer begins with the words, "May the Lord bless you and keep you," and is often used during worship services, baptisms, and weddings. It is a request for God's blessing, help, guidance, and peace.
The full prayer is as follows:
> "May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; may the Lord turn his countenance toward you and give you peace."
Blessings are not just limited to formal ceremonies but can also be found in daily prayers and personal devotions. For example, St. Padre Pio's prayer, which he prayed after receiving Holy Communion, is a beautiful example of a blessing:
> "Stay with me, Lord, because I am weak and I need Your strength, that I may not fall so often. Stay with me, Lord, for You are my life, and without You, I am without meaning and hope."
In contrast, a curse is considered the opposite of a blessing. In the Bible, curses are often associated with disobedience or turning away from God. While blessings are associated with God's favour and grace, curses can bring misfortune, hardship, or spiritual consequences.
Overall, blessings and curses are integral concepts in Catholicism and Christianity as a whole, shaping the way believers understand their relationship with God and influencing their daily lives and worship practices.
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God's Protection
"May the Lord bless you and keep you" is a well-known prayer that invokes God's protection and guidance. The prayer, also known as the Benediction Prayer or Aaron's Blessing, is found in Numbers 6:24-26 and is considered one of the oldest poems in the Bible. It is used in both Christian and Jewish faith communities and is a staple in Roman Catholic services. The prayer asks for God's blessing, protection, and favour upon the congregation and is often used at baptisms, weddings, and during daily worship.
The prayer is divided into six parts, each with a specific meaning and significance:
- May the Lord Bless You: This first part of the benediction summarises the covenant between God and His people. It acknowledges that true blessing comes from our relationship with God as our Father.
- May the Lord Keep You: God's protection is what keeps us in a covenant relationship with Him. Just as the Lord kept Israel, Jesus Christ is our Shepherd, guiding and protecting us from getting lost.
- May the Lord Make His Face Shine Upon You: Here, the prayer speaks of God's presence and pleasure in His people. The shining of God's face represents His smile, indicating His grace, mercy, and love towards us.
- May the Lord be Gracious to You: This part of the prayer recognises that we do not deserve God's grace and mercy, but we receive them because of His faithfulness and love.
- May the Lord Lift His Countenance Upon You: This section highlights God's personal and individual attention to each of His children. We are His chosen ones, and He is attentive to our needs and journeys.
- May the Lord Grant You Peace: Finally, the prayer asks for God's peace to be upon us. This peace is not just the absence of conflict but also includes courage, strength, and joy in our hearts as we follow Him.
The Benediction Prayer is a beautiful reminder of God's protection, favour, and love for His people. It is a way to seek His blessing and guidance in our daily lives and to recognise that we are dependent on Him for strength and direction. This prayer has been a source of comfort and encouragement for many, providing assurance of God's presence and care.
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God's Grace
"May the Lord bless you and keep you" is a well-known biblical verse from Numbers 6:24. This verse is often used as a blessing or benediction, asking God to watch over and protect the recipient. In Catholicism, the concept of God's grace is deeply intertwined with this idea of divine blessing and protection.
Grace, in the Catholic understanding, is a supernatural gift from God that brings about eternal salvation. It is a fundamental pillar of the Christian faith, essential for redemption from sin and for leading individuals to their heavenly destiny. Catholics believe that grace is a transformative power that cleanses the soul and infuses it with a supernatural life. This sanctifying grace is necessary for salvation and is distinct from mere natural grace, such as good health or talents.
The Catholic Church teaches that grace is a free and undeserved gift from God, given not because of any merit on our part but solely due to God's love and favour. This aligns with the broader Christian understanding of grace as God's favour and a share in the divine life. Catholics, like other Christian denominations, agree that grace is essential for salvation and that it is a gift from God that cannot be earned.
The means by which God grants grace are varied and include revealed truth, the sacraments, and the hierarchical ministry. The sacraments, especially the Eucharist, are considered principal means of receiving grace. However, the effectiveness of the sacraments depends on the disposition of the recipient, as a person must be open to receiving God's grace for it to take effect.
Additionally, Catholics believe that grace is necessary not only for initial justification but also for ongoing sanctification. If a person commits a mortal sin, the supernatural life in their soul disappears, and they need to respond to God's actual graces, such as the call to repent and seek reconciliation, to regain their state of sanctification.
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St. Padre Pio's Prayer
St. Padre Pio, born Francesco Forgione, was a mystic of the Roman Catholic Church and is venerated as a saint. He is widely known for bearing the stigmata—the wounds of Christ—and for his supernatural gifts.
St. Padre Pio was devoted to the celebration of Mass and invited countless men and women to a greater union with Jesus Christ in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. He is also known for his powerful prayers, which are believed to bring healing and miracles to those who recite them. Here is one such prayer:
> Heavenly Father, I thank you for loving me. I thank you for sending your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, to the world to save and to set me free. I trust in your power and grace that sustain and restore me. Loving Father, touch me now with your healing hands, for I believe that your will is for me to be well in mind, body, soul and spirit. Cover me with the most precious blood of your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ, from the top of my head to the soles of my feet. Cast anything that should not be in me. Root out any unhealthy and abnormal cells. Open any blocked arteries or veins and rebuild and replenish any damaged areas. Remove all inflammation and cleanse any infection by the power of Jesus' precious blood. Let the fire of your healing love pass through my entire body to heal and make new any diseased areas so that my body will function the way you created it to function. Touch also my mind and my emotions, even the deepest recesses of my heart. Saturate my entire being with your presence, love, joy and peace and draw me ever closer to you every moment of my life. And Father, fill me with your Holy Spirit and empower me to do your works so that my life will bring glory and honour to your holy name. I ask this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Another prayer attributed to St. Padre Pio is as follows:
> O Sacred Heart of Jesus, filled with infinite love, broken by my ingratitude yet loving me still. Accept the consecration that I make to you, of all that I am and all that I have. Take every faculty of my body and soul and draw me day by day, nearer and nearer to your Sacred Heart, and there as I can understand the lesson, teach me your blessed ways. Amen.
This prayer was recited by Pope John Paul II during the canonization of St. Padre Pio on June 16, 2002.
Additionally, St. Padre Pio recited the following prayer daily:
> May by His passion and cross, be brought to the glory of His resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Finally, St. Padre Pio recited a novena prayer daily for all those who requested his prayers:
> Pio of Pietrelcina, I ardently desire [state your petition]; and above all grant me the grace of living in conformity with the death of Jesus to arrive at the glory of the resurrection. Glory be to the Father... (three times). Amen.
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Frequently asked questions
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn his countenance to you and grant you peace.
A benediction is a blessing spoken at the end of a worship service.
This phrase is from the Benediction Prayer, which is likely one of the oldest poems in the Bible.
The phrase is a blessing that summarises the covenant between God and His people. God's protection keeps us in a covenant relationship with Him.
This is found in Numbers 6:24-26.
