23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.
24 My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen. 1 Corinthians 16:23-24
Paul frequently ended his letters with a blessing. Praying a blessing over people encourages them and lifts their spirit. In the quartet I sing in, we close each rehearsal with The Irish Blessing song.
May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
May the rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.
It’s a simple song really, but it conveys a potent message.
Get in the habit of praying blessings over people. It can be spoken or silent. It helps you focus on other people and what they might be going through. And it also encourages them in their faith. It’s a pretty good bet you and I will need encouragement today or tomorrow. That’s just how life rolls sometimes.