The Bible tells us that fathers have the authority from God to either bless or curse their children. In Genesis 31:13 God instructed Jacob to return to the land where he was born. In response, Jacob gathered his family, livestock, and belongings and crossed the Euphrates River for Israel. His uncle Laban, whom Jacob had worked for over twenty years, was enraged that Jacob had left without saying goodbye and pursued him with vengeance in mind (see Genesis 31:22–23). Because Laban was a man of authority, the Lord warned him in a dream not to say anything that would harm his son-in-law: “Be careful that you do not speak to Jacob either good or bad (Genesis 31:24).”
Eventually Laban caught up with Jacob in the hill country of Gilead and declared: It is in my power to do you harm [speak curses upon you], but the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, “Be careful not to speak either good or bad to Jacob. (Genesis 31:29).” Laban understood, as did every father in the Middle East, that his words carried the power to curse his children, grandchildren, and, in this scenario, his son-in-law.
A father’s blessing is of the utmost importance because it secures his children’s and children’s children’s future well-being—this is why Jacob’s mother Rebekah urged him to seek his father’s (Isaac’s) blessing decades earlier (see Genesis 27:18–29).
In Genesis 14:18–19 we read that Melchizedek, King of Salem, blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth” (v. 17). By blessing Abram, Melchizedek released not only prosperity upon Abraham but upon his generational legacy. The following verses reveal how Melchizedek’s blessing impacted future generations:
The First Generation: Abraham was wealthy!
The Lord has blessed my master ‘abundantly’, and he has become wealthy (Genesis 24:35)
The Second Generation: Isaac was ‘very wealthy’!
“Isaac planted crops in that land and the same year reaped a hundred- fold, because the Lord had blessed him. The man became rich, and his wealth continued to grow until he became very wealthy (Genesis 26:12–13).”
The Third Generation: Jacob was ‘exceedingly prosperous’!
“In this way the man [Jacob] grew exceedingly prosperous and came to own large flocks, and maidservants and menservants, and camels and donkeys (Genesis 30:43).”
The Fourth Generation: Joseph both ‘fathered’ Pharaoh and ‘ruled’ Egypt!
“He [the Lord] made me [ Joseph] father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler over all of Egypt (Genesis 45:8).”
The Fifth Generation: Manasseh and Ephraim, the sons of Joseph, were collectively ‘the largest’ of the twelve tribes of Israel totaling 85,200 men!
“These were the clans of Manasseh; those numbered were 52,700 (Numbers 26:34).”
“These were the clans of Ephraim; those numbered were 32,500 (Numbers 26:37).”
Did you notice in the verses above that the blessing upon each succeeding generation surpassed the previous generation? Abraham was wealthy, Isaac was very wealthy! Jacob was exceedingly prosperous, Joseph saved nations and his children collectively became the largest tribe in Israel!
The majority of these prayers are included in our book Generational Prayers – 2022 Edition, which is available in paperback and eBook formats. Visit this page for details.
Come Up Higher and the Exploring Heavenly Places book series provide biblical explanations of our prayers. Visit our bookstore for more information.
These prayers are not a quick fix. Instead, they are starting points as you work out your freedom in Christ. Be ready to adjust these prayers as you and those you pray with listen to the Holy Spirit.
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