Benedictions for church services

A benediction is a blessing spoken over the congregation at the end of worship. Numbers 6:24-26, 2 Corinthians 13:14 and Hebrews 13:20-21 give biblical words for it.

Print and slides

Download the ProPresenter text file for text import. Congregational words use two phrase lines per slide. Instructions for the leader stay in the PDF.

Choose the passage before the service

The collection pairs biblical references with original closing prayers. The biblical passages appear in full from the Berean Standard Bible; use your church’s approved edition when the wording differs. The prayers in the boxes are adaptations for a leader to use, and are labeled as original words in the downloads.

Blessing and dismissal

A benediction blesses the people in God’s name. A dismissal tells them the service has ended and sends them to their work. The service leader can give a blessing and then say, ‘Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.’ Keep local announcements before the blessing so people can hear the last prayer without a new list of tasks afterward.

Match the passage to the sermon

Numbers 6 suits a service that ends with God’s care for his people. Romans 15:13 closes with hope, while Hebrews 13:20-21 names the risen shepherd and the work God equips his people to do. Read the surrounding verses during preparation and keep the passage’s meaning when selecting a short form.

Who says the words?

Follow your church’s practice concerning who pronounces the blessing. Give the chosen passage to that person before Sunday and put the reference in the order of service. The congregation can answer Amen without being asked to repeat the whole blessing.

Aaronic blessing, Numbers 6:24-26

²⁴ May the LORD bless you and keep you; ²⁵ may the LORD cause His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; ²⁶ may the LORD lift up His countenance toward you and give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26

The prayer below is original wording for the leader to use after the Scripture if desired.

LeaderMay the Lord guard your people and grant them peace. Keep us in your care through Jesus Christ. Amen.

May the LORD bless you and keep you;may the LORD cause His face to shine

Numbers 6:24-26

upon you and be gracious to you;may the LORD lift up His countenance

Numbers 6:24-26

Grace and fellowship, 2 Corinthians 13:14

¹⁴ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.

2 Corinthians 13:14

The prayer below is original wording for the leader to use after the Scripture if desired.

LeaderFather, send us in the grace of Jesus Christ, your love and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,and the love of God,

2 Corinthians 13:14

and the fellowship of the HolySpirit be with all of you.

2 Corinthians 13:14

God of peace, Hebrews 13:20-21

²⁰ Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, ²¹ equip you with every good thing to do His will. And may He accomplish in us what is pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Hebrews 13:20-21

The prayer below is original wording for the leader to use after the Scripture if desired.

LeaderGod of peace, equip us to do your will through Jesus Christ, our risen shepherd. Receive the glory in our life together. Amen.

Now may the God of peace,who through the blood of the eternal

Hebrews 13:20-21

covenant brought backfrom the dead our Lord Jesus,

Hebrews 13:20-21

Hope, Romans 15:13

¹³ Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

The prayer below is original wording for the leader to use after the Scripture if desired.

LeaderGod of hope, fill us with joy and peace as we trust in you. Help us to serve our neighbors this week. Amen.

Now may the God of hope fill youwith all joy and peace

Romans 15:13

as you believe in Him,so that you may overflow with hope

Romans 15:13

Prepare the service

Choose one blessing and mark its Scripture reference in the leader’s copy. Tell the congregation whether to stand before the leader reads it.

Sources and permission

Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible, public domain. Church Posting wrote the additional prayers, which churches may copy and adapt freely.