The Power of Spoken Word, Prayer, Incantation, and Blessing

I learned about the power of words from my grandmother. She never raised her voice, but when she spoke a blessing over us children, you could feel the room change. It was like the air itself leaned in to listen. She would place her hand on our heads and say, “May you walk in peace. May your path be clear. May the ancestors smile on you.” And somehow, those words stayed with me for decades. They still do. I can hear her voice right now as I write this.

That’s what I try to pass on to the people I serve. Words are not just sounds we make. They carry spirit. They carry intention. They carry the love and wisdom of everyone who ever spoke them before us. I often remind young people that the way they speak to themselves matters—that calling yourself foolish or unlucky is a kind of prayer too, and not a helpful one. I teach them to bless themselves out loud, even if it feels strange at first. Speak kindly to your own spirit, and watch how your life begins to shift. It sounds simple, but I’ve seen it change everything.

The Power of Spoken Word, Prayer, Incantation, and Blessing