Today’s Scripture:

Numbers 6:22-27

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the Israelites: You shall say to them, The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. So they shall put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.

Food For Thought:

This is a beautiful prayer of blessing. The priests used to bless the Hebrew people with this prayer or another prayer of blessing. Think of the word blessing and its derivatives (bless, blessed, blessedness). How would you define these words? Who has been a blessing in your life? How have they blessed you? Think about a way that you can be a blessing to others today and go bless them.

Prayer:

God, 
you have claimed us as your people 
and entrusted the justice and holiness 
of your creation 
to our hands and hearts. 
Hear the prayers we offer this day 
on behalf of this world. Grant that we may not only pray with our lips, 
but be courageous in conduct, 
responding to your grace 
with faithful and fruitful action. In your holy and precious name we pray, Amen.