A benediction is a verbal blessing that concludes a time of Christian worship.
How to Write a Blessing
It is fitting to write a blessing based on the Scriptures that are used in the liturgy. The elements of a blessing may contain these aspects:
- An attribute or reference to God (e.g. May the God of peace…)
- A divine action toward the congregation (e.g. Bless you, grant you, fill you, etc.)
- A desired result (e.g. give you peace, that you may be one, guard your hearts)
- A focus on eternity (e.g. now and forevermore, now and in the age to come,)
- End with “Amen.”
Introducing the Blessing
The benediction may be introduced with words such as these:
- As you prepare to leave…
- Receive now these words of blessing…
- Until we meet again…
- The Spirit who gathered you now sends you…
- The Lord who called you now sends you…
Blessings from Scripture
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Amen. Numbers 6:24–26
May the dwelling of God be with you, and may the nations know that the Lord sanctifies us and is our sanctuary forevermore. Amen. Ezekiel 37:27–28
May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Jesus Christ, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Romans 15:5–6
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Amen. Romans 15:13
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13:14
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20–21
May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. Philippians 4:7
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. Amen. 1 Thessalonians 5:23–24
To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. 1 Timothy 1:17
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. Philemon 1:25
Now may the God of peace … equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in you that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20–21
May you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and in eternity. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18
Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with joy, to the only God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. Jude 24–25
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to God the Father: to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Revelation 5:12–13
May the Lord watch over you and keep you from all harm; may the Lord watch over your coming in and your going out both now and forevermore. Amen. Psalm 121:7–8
Additional Blessings
May the peace of God keep your hearts and minds in the love of God. Amen.
May the love of God surround you, the wisdom of Christ guide you, and the power of the Holy Spirit encourage you. Amen.
May the joy of the Lord be your strength, now and forever. Amen.
Now, to God the Father, who first loved us, and made us accepted in the Beloved; to God the Son, who loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood; to God the Holy Spirit, who sheds the love of God abroad in our hearts, be all love and all glory in time and to all eternity. Amen. (A Trinitarian Benediction of John Wesley)
May the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer)
