Go and Do Thou Likewise!

May you be confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6 (NKJV)

‘Laying on of Hands’ has been known to raise a few eyebrows and even the ire of some. Many believe it to be a practice by those that tend to get ‘carried away’ and unsophisticated in church behavior. Many years ago a friend moving to my area visited my home church at the time. I asked her later how she felt about the service. I had been encouraged and felt an anointing fell over the service and was so excited my friend happened to be visiting that day! She said she preferred a service with “less audience participation.” Different strokes for different folks, I guess, but laying on of hands is a Biblically sound practice. Let’s look at it!   

When possible, I like to lay one, or both, hands on the head, shoulder, or back of a person as I bless them. This “laying on of hands” follows an example we find throughout Scripture. In Genesis chapter 27, Jacob disguised himself to “feel” like his brother when Isaac touched him and thereby received Esau’s blessing. When Israel (Jacob) blessed Joseph’s sons (Genesis 48), he crossed his hands so that he could bless Ephraim, the younger one, with his right hand, and he placed his left hand on Manasseh, even though he was the firstborn. Moses laid his hands on Joshua when he commissioned him before Eleazar the high priest and before the entire congregation, just as the Lord had instructed him (Num. 27:23).

In Matthew 19:13 (and Mark 10:16), we see that Jesus laid His hands upon the children as He blessed them. Jesus also laid His hands on the sick and healed them (Mark 6:5 & 8:23-25, Luke 4:40 & 13:13). The “chosen seven” (Deacons) who were selected to assist the apostles were ordained with the laying on of hands (Acts 6:6). In Acts 8:17, Peter and John laid their hands on the new Samaritan believers that they might Imparting Blessings and receive the Holy Spirit. The Lord directed Ananias to lay hands on Saul, blinded from his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, so that he might regain his sight (Acts 9:12). Paul and Barnabas were dedicated for their first missionary journey with the laying on of hands (Acts 13:3). And in 2 Timothy 1:6, Paul reminded Timothy to “kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands” (NASB).

Whenever possible, the impartation of blessing accompanied by the laying on of hands permits us to follow a Biblical pattern established by the Patriarchs, the Apostles, and the Master Himself. Go and do thou likewise!

A good place to start is with those who are closest to you. As an example, years ago when some of the grandchildren lived here, a blessing was spoken over them on a weekly basis. It was awkward for them at first but they grew to look forward to it and rushed to get in line first. Donovan, as many of you know, had a loud, booming voice and talked a great deal...okay, he talked all the time he was not asleep! While it could be out of place a lot of the time, a blessings over him would go, "May the Lord use the gift of communication He has bestowed on you to reach every tongue and nation with the Gospel so all may know of His love, mercy and grace."

Ask the Lord to show you what blessings He would like you to share on His behalf. As we discussed in an earlier post, adapt the blessings from the words of scripture as you speak them. I like to personalize a blessing by inserting the name of the person to whom I am speaking. The important thing is to be led by the Spirit. Trust that you hear Him as He guides you.

Remember, as a priest of the Most High God, you are speaking the blessing of His Word over people in order to bring His blessing upon them. As an ambassador of the King of Kings, you are speaking the King’s language to communicate on His behalf. We can never be more confident of our alignment with God than when we are speaking His own Word.

May you develop a life-style of blessing as you impact others’ lives with the language of God!

May the Lord instruct you and teach you in the way you are to go. Be confident because He will give you counsel and His eyes will be watching you. ~ Psalm 32:8 (CJB) ~

May you be confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. ~ Philippians 1:6 (NKJV) ~