Thursday 8th January

Quiet your heart and mind. Imagine going with Jesus to a quiet place. Humbly kneel at Jesus’ feet.

“Come and see what God has done, his awesome deeds for mankind!"

Psalm 66:5

Ponder: Jesus “took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them (Mark 10:16)." Imagine that you are one of those children.

Scripture

The Lord bless you
    and keep you;
 the Lord make his face shine on you
    and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
    and give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26

First, imagine Jesus is focusing on you, looking you right in the eye, and holding out a gift for you. Hear Him pray this over you. Read the blessing again, slowly. What do you notice?

God looks you straight in the eye

This ancient priestly blessing holds a special place in my heart because my father often reminded us that the phrase, “the Lord turns His face to you," means that God looks us straight in the eye—not in judgement but rather in love, as “the apple of His eye," one in whom He delights. It is usually so much easier for me to see how God is disappointed in me rather than to see and believe that He delights in me. The prayer that “His face would shine on you and be gracious to you" is a prayer that His holiness, truth and love shine on me, so that through His unmerited kindness (grace!), I would be forgiven and transformed to reflect Him. This blessing is a prayer for intimacy with God our Father who cares for us, forgives us, delights in us, and transforms us. Dwelling in that intimacy gives us deep peace.

It was fitting that, on the occasion of my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary, my father prayed this blessing over each of the grandchildren individually, holding up their faces and looking at them straight in the eye.

Today, draw near to God and let His face shine on you. Imagine your Heavenly Father looking you straight in the eye. What is He saying to you?

Maria Festen, Assistant Director/People Services, USA

Now ask God who you can pray this prayer for. Imagine them sitting on Jesus’ knee as you pray.

Kids’ Question: Can you think of a blessing that God has given you?