A Blessing For The Home And Property:

                  Lord I consecrate my home and property to your Lordship and Kingship.
May your name be always hallowed within these sacred confines! You are my Lord, my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. No evil shall befall us, nor affliction come near our tent. We will continue to live in peaceful country, in secure dwelling and quiet resting places. To his angels he has given command about us, that they guard us in all our ways.
                 (Scriptures taken from NAB - Catholic Publications, Inc. 1971)

                    

New Directions:

                              "Finally the Lord said to me, you have wandered round these highlands long enough; turn and go north." (Deut. 2.2-3)

                               This word from the Lord is an exhortation to break out of our rut. We need some new challenges and some new directions. The Lord is faithful in fulfilling his promises!

                               "For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for woe! plans to give you a future full of hope. When you call me, when you go to pray to me, I will listen to you when you look for me you will find me. Yes, when you seek me with all your heart, you will find me with you says the Lord, and I will change your lot" (Jeremiah 29.11-14)

                               (Scriptures taken from NAB - Catholic Publications, Inc. 1971)


                                

                                 

A Family Blessing:

                                    "By wisdom is a house built, by understanding is it made firm; and by knowledge are its rooms filled with every precious and pleasing possession." (Proverb' s 24.3-4) I recognize Lord, that unless you build the house, they labor in vain who build it. I entrust to you each family. How your inspired word gives inspiration and encouragement:
"Happy are you who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways! For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork; happy shall you be, and favored. Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the recesses of your home; Your children like olive plants around your table. Behold, how good it is, and how pleasant, where brethren dwell at one! It is as when the precious ointment upon the head runs down over the beard, the beard of Aaron, till it runs down upon the collar of his robe. It is a dew like that of Hermon, which comes down upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord  has pronounced his blessing, life forever.
                                       (Scriptures taken from NAB - Catholic Publishers, Inc. 1971)

Scriptural Blessings For Sons and Daughters:

                      1. The Blessing of Maturity:  "May you progress steadily in wisdom and age and grace before God and humankind" (Luke 2.52)

                        2. The Blessing of Godliness: "May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith, and may charity be the root and foundation of your life! May you experience the love of Christ which surpasses all knowledge, so that you may attain to the fullness of God himself!

                         3. The Blessing of the Lord's Presence:  "May you not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord, your God, is with you wherever you go"! "You are my beloved son, my beloved daughter, in whom I am well pleased."

                         4. The Blessing of Strength & Good Health: "May your strength endure through all your days"! May you long enjoy the work of your hands!

                          5. The Blessing of Favor:  "May you be enriched with favors and filled with the blessings of the Lord"! May you be free of misfortune without pain!

                          6. The Blessing of  Protection:  "May the Lord guard you from all evil; May the Lord guard your life"! May the Lord guard your coming and your going both now and forever! May no evil befall you, nor affliction come near your tent! For to his angels he has given command about you, that they guard you in all your ways.

                          7. The Blessing of a good Name:  "May the blessing of a good name be given you! "A good name is more desirable than great riches, and high esteem, than gold and silver" (Proverbs 22.1)                          

                          8. The Blessing of Peace:  "The Lord bless you and keep you! The Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you! The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace"! (Numbers 6.24-26)

                           The Blessing of a loving Heart:  "May you have a heart modeled after the heart of Christ! May compassion and mercy be the hallmark of your life! "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you; bless those who curse you and pray for those who maltreat you." (Luke 6.27-28)


Parents Prayer:

                       Lord, we thank you today for the gift of our beautiful children. They are the precious jewels in the family crown. Give us, as parents a sensitivity of heart and a nurturing atmosphere to allow for the growth and development of our sons and daughters. May their lives be a blessing and let them always be bearers of glad tidings!

A Word of Encouragement to Parents:

                    Please pronounce these blessings daily over your children - it will change their lives.

                  (Scriptures taken from the NAB - Catholic Publications, Inc. 1971)

Ardent Longing For God:

                         "O God, you are my God whom I seek; for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water. Thus have I gazed toward you in the sanctuary to see your power and your glory, for your kindness is a greater good than life; my lips shall glorify you." (Psalm 63.1-4)

                                 Teach me,  Lord, your way that I may walk in your truth. My soul pines for your salvation; I hope in your word. My eyes strain after your promise; when will you comfort me? I long for your salvation, O Lord, and your law is my delight. Every day will I bless you, and I will praise your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord and highly to be praised; his greatness is unsearchable. Let all your works give you thanks, O Lord, and let your faithful ones bless you.

The Blessing of Strength:

                         "May your bolts be of iron and bronze; may your strength endure through all your days." (Deuteronomy 33.25)

                         This promise assures us that life will not leave us like an empty reservoir or a dry well. As the demands of each day, so shall our inner resources of strength be to make us equal to any situation. (Dick Mills)

                         Today Lord I feel empty and depleted of energy and the necessary resources to continue with life's journey. Your promise from Deuteronomy give me hope and encouragement. "I lift up my eyes toward the mountains; whence shall help come to me? My help is from the Lord who made heaven and earth." (Psalm 121.1-2)  

Joy and Peace:

                           "Rejoice in the Lord always! I say it again Rejoice! Everyone should see how unselfish you are. The Lord is near. Dismiss all anxiety from your minds. Present your needs to God in every form of prayer and in petitions full of gratitude. Then God's own peace, which is beyond all understanding, will stand guard over your hearts and minds, in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4.4-7)  (Scriptures taken from NAB - Catholic Publications, Inc. 1971)