“And He took the children in His arms, placed His hands on them and blessed them.” — Mark 10:16 (NIV)
Throughout Scripture, we find that many significant moments were accompanied by the laying on of hands. Before his death, Jacob blessed Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, by laying his hands on them. Joseph was so concerned about the blessing that when he saw his father placing his right hand on Ephraim instead of the firstborn, Manasseh, he tried to correct him. But Jacob, under God’s guidance, intentionally blessed the younger son first (Genesis 48:13–20).
Later, when Moses’ earthly ministry was coming to an end, God instructed him to commission Joshua as his successor by laying his hands on him. The Lord said, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit of leadership, and lay your hand on him” (Numbers 27:18). Scripture later confirms the impact of that act: “Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him” (Deuteronomy 34:9). God used this sacred act to publicly affirm Joshua and empower him for the task ahead.
The same pattern continued in the early Church. The apostles laid hands on the seven men chosen to serve the church (Acts 6:5–6). The believers in Antioch laid hands on Barnabas and Saul before sending them on their missionary journey (Acts 13:2–3). When the believers in Samaria received the gospel, Peter and John laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:17). Throughout Scripture, the laying on of hands accompanies God’s blessing, commissioning, healing, and empowerment.
The lay of hands is a symbolic act that publicly acknowledges God’s calling, blessing, or appointment upon someone’s life. It expresses agreement with what God is doing. But it is more than symbolism. God often chooses to work through this act to impart His grace, wisdom, anointing, healing, or the Holy Spirit according to His sovereign will.
From a personal perspective, this should encourage us to make the laying on of hands part of our family life. Parents should prayerfully lay hands on their children, blessing them as they grow, before they begin a new school term, graduate, get married, or embark on any significant assignment.
At the same time, Scripture urges caution. The laying on of hands is a sacred act and should never be done carelessly. Paul warned Timothy, “Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure” (1 Timothy 5:22). But overall, the laying on of hands is not merely a tradition. It is a biblical expression of faith through which God’s people identify with His purposes, invoke His blessing, and seek His empowering presence.
Prayer: Heavenly Father God, thank You for giving us the privilege of participating in Your work through the laying on of hands. Teach me to use this sacred practice to faithfully bless my family, encourage those You have called, and pray for others with confidence that You alone are the source of every blessing and every anointing. Send power through the laying of hands to protect me and my loved ones from every work of the evil one, and let Your Holy Spirit rest upon all whom You have entrusted to my care. In Jesus’ name, I pray!
