Rachel Evans
May the Lord bless you and keep you is a well-known prayer in Christianity, often referred to as the Benediction Prayer. This prayer is found in Numbers 6:24-26 and is believed to be one of the oldest poems in the Bible. The prayer is a beautiful expression of God's blessing and protection, asking for divine blessing, help, guidance, and peace. The full prayer reads: May the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. It is used in many Christian and Jewish faith communities, including Roman Catholic services, and is often said during baptisms, weddings, and at the close of a service.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of prayer | Benediction |
| Other names | Aaron's Blessing, the Aaronic Blessing, the Priestly Blessing |
| Bible reference | Numbers 6:24-26 |
| Bible version | New International Version, New Living Translation |
| God's attributes | Bless you, keep you, make his face shine upon you, be gracious to you, turn his face toward you, give you peace |
| Application | Universal |
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The Benediction Prayer
The prayer begins with the words, "May the Lord bless you and keep you." The New International Version continues:
> The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
The New Living Translation offers a slightly different version:
> May the Lord bless and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.
> May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, God's love, and the Holy Spirit's fellowship be with you all.
The prayer is a summary of the covenant between God and His people. God's protection keeps us in a covenant relationship with Him. As the Lord God kept Israel, Jesus Christ is our Shepherd who will keep us from getting lost.
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Blessings for all
"May the Lord bless you and keep you" is a benediction prayer that is found in Numbers 6:24-26. A benediction is a blessing spoken at the end of a worship service to send followers on their way with God's blessing. The prayer is also known as Aaron's Blessing, the Aaronic Blessing, or the Priestly Blessing.
The prayer is as follows:
> May the Lord bless you and keep you; may He make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.
The above prayer is from the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible. Here is the New Living Translation (NLT) version:
> May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you His favor and give you His peace.
The benediction prayer is a beautiful reminder of God's covenant with His people. It is a blessing that is applicable to all, not just the Israelites, as Jesus came for all people. It is a prayer that invites God's divine blessing, help, guidance, and peace.
The prayer is often used in Roman Catholic services and is a wonderful way to conclude a service, offering a blessing to the congregation.
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God's protection
The concept of God's protection is also reflected in 2 Corinthians 13:14, where the apostle Paul offers a benediction invoking the Lord's grace, love, and fellowship: "May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, God's love, and the Holy Spirit's fellowship be with you all." Similarly, Ephesians 6:23-24 emphasizes peace and love, with the words: "Peace be with you, dear brothers and sisters, and may God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you love with faithfulness. May God’s grace be eternally upon all who love our Lord Jesus Christ."
In the Old Testament, benedictions were ceremonial pronouncements of God's favour or blessing on the congregation during worship gatherings. The priestly descendants of Aaron offered these prayers over the people of Israel, as instructed by God to Moses in Numbers 6:22-27. This benediction has been carried forward in worship today in many Christian and Jewish faith communities, including Roman Catholic services. It is often used at the close of a service, during baptisms, or at weddings to bless the newlywed couple.
The phrase "May the Lord bless you and keep you" summarizes the covenant between God and His people. God's protection maintains this covenant relationship, with Jesus Christ as the Shepherd who guides and protects His followers. The continuation of the benediction prayer, "May the Lord make His face shine upon you," represents God's presence and His pleasure in His people, resulting in His grace and mercy towards them.
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God's grace
"May the Lord bless you and keep you" is a well-known prayer in Catholicism, also known as the Benediction Prayer. It is found in Numbers 6:24-26 and is considered one of the oldest poems in the Bible. The prayer is a beautiful expression of God's blessing and protection, summarizing the covenant between God and His people.
The prayer continues with "May the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you," reflecting God's presence and pleasure in His people. This leads to the outpouring of God's grace, which is a manifestation of His love and faithfulness. We receive His grace not because we deserve it, but because of His immense love for us.
The Benediction Prayer is often used in Catholic services, such as at the end of a worship service, a baptism, or a wedding ceremony. It is a reminder that God wants to bless His people and desires for us to live with His peace in our hearts. Through this prayer, we acknowledge our dependence on God and His grace, and we seek His blessing, guidance, and protection.
In conclusion, the Benediction Prayer, beginning with "May the Lord bless you and keep you," is a powerful reminder of God's love, grace, and protection. It is a prayer that invites God's presence and blessing into our lives, and it is a testament to His faithfulness and desire for us to live in peace and joy.
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Peace
"May the Lord bless you and keep you" is a well-known prayer in Christianity, and it is also known as the Benediction Prayer. The prayer is said to summarise the covenant between God and his people, and it is believed that God wants his people to be blessed. The prayer is found in Numbers 6:24-26 and is considered one of the oldest poems in the Bible.
The prayer is often used in Catholic services and is also known as Aaron's Blessing, the Aaronic Blessing, or the Priestly Blessing. The Benediction Prayer is a ceremonial pronouncement of God's favour or blessing on the congregation and is said at the end of a worship service to send followers on their way with God's blessing.
The prayer continues, "May the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." Here, the shining of God's face represents His presence and His smile, indicating the pleasure He takes in His people. The result of God's pleasure is His grace, which is given to us because of His love and faithfulness.
The prayer is a reminder that God is a personal Father who pays attention to His children as individuals and wants to secure peace through a right relationship with them. It invites or asks God for divine blessing, help, guidance, and peace.
The concept of peace is central to the Benediction Prayer and, more broadly, to the Christian faith. Peace, in this context, refers to a state of harmony, tranquility, and wholeness that comes from a relationship with God. It signifies a sense of calm and serenity in the presence of God's blessing and protection.
The prayer encourages followers to go out into the world with peace in their hearts, to return evil with good, and to strengthen and support others. It is a charge to live a life that honours God and to spread His peace to those around us.
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Frequently asked questions
The phrase originates from the Bible, Numbers 6:24.
Yes, it is a benediction, which is a short invocation for divine help, blessing, and guidance, usually at the end of a worship service.
The phrase is a blessing, asking for God's protection and guidance.
No, the phrase is used in many Christian and Jewish faith communities and is universally used in Roman Catholic services.
The phrase is often said at the close of a service to pronounce a blessing upon the congregation, at the end of a baptismal service, or at a wedding ceremony to bless the bride and groom.
