Powerful and Inspiring Benedictions in the Bible for Every Day
October 2023
Dera Emenike
Dera Emenike finds inspiration in faith, spirituality, and the power of God's grace. Through heartfelt articles, she beautifully weaves together profound insights and personal experiences, inviting readers to embark on a journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth.
For centuries, benedictions have been used to conclude services. This is because the conclusion of every spiritual meeting holds as much importance as its beginning. Parting with the right blessings or words can revive, refresh, and profoundly impact lives.
Are you looking for the right closing remarks for your next sermon, church service, Bible study group, or family devotion? The truth is, there’s no better source for powerful invocations than the Word of God. By turning to scriptures, it becomes not merely you, but God Himself, who bestows those heartfelt blessings upon His people.
This article provides a comprehensive list of benedictions found in the Bible for your selection.
How Many Benedictions are in the Bible?
A benediction is essentially “words that speak a blessing.” Derived from Latin, it means “blessed.” Many of these blessings come directly from scripture, emphasizing the numerous instances where God blesses His children through His words. In fact, the Bible contains over 100 such benedictions and blessings.
This underscores God’s generous nature towards His loved ones. Just as a father ensures his children don’t leave empty-handed, believers too are graced with God’s bountiful blessings in His presence. From a pattern of great promises to the fulfillment of them, it is evident from the Bible that God truly delights in giving, healing, and loving His children.
God’s Original Benediction
While all the benedictions in the Bible are spirit-breathed and thus from God, the earliest one recorded as His specific instruction is found in Numbers 6:24-26. Here, God instructs Aaron and his sons the Levites to speak these words over the people of Israel. It is known as the Aaronic blessing or the Dukhanen in Jewish culture and is a popular closing benediction prayer.
It says;
“The Lord bless you and keep you: the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: the Lord lifts up His countenance upon you, and gives you peace.”
These words call for God’s presence and blessing to be bestowed on the individual. They are regarded as God’s original benediction and display afresh His willingness to leave his people blessed and at peace. Today, it forms part of the liturgies of various churches, including the Catholic, Anglican, and many protestant churches.
List of Benedictions in the Bible
Benedictions for Worship
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that 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.”
“To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”
” He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,
who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.”
Benedictions and Blessings
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”
“May he grant your heart’s desires and make all your plans succeed.
May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory and raise a victory banner in the name of our God. May the Lord answer all your prayers.”
“Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Benedictions for Encouragement
“May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great 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.”
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Closing Benediction Verses
“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge– that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”
Meaningful benedictions in the Bible
“The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep you going out and you’re coming in from this time forth and forevermore.”
“To him who loves us and has set us free from our sins by his blood, 6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father — to him be glory and dominion forever and ever.”
“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.”
Modern Benedictions
- May the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, equip you with all you need for doing His will. May He produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, all that is pleasing to Him. Jesus is the great Shepherd of the sheep by an everlasting covenant, signed with His Blood. To Him be glory forever and ever.
- Know that we never walk alone – know the comfort of Christ walking beside us. Feel His presence each moment of each day.
- May God the Father prepare your journey, Jesus the Son guide your footsteps, The Spirit of Life strengthen your body, The Three in One watch over you, on every road that you may follow.
Benediction Prayers for Church Service
- Lord, bless us as we honor those who fought for our nation’s freedom. Remember their sacrifices that brought greatness and progress. Honor all who served in the armed forces and those who gave their lives. Grant us safe travels home. Amen.
- Our Heavenly Father, with heads uncovered and bowed in tribute to our fallen comrades, we bring this meeting to a close. Before we part our separate ways, we pause to think of our members who are experiencing difficult times. For them and their families, we pray for strength and courage. In the silence of this moment, we dedicate ourselves anew to our God and our Country. Amen.
- Heavenly Father, bless us today. Thank you for guiding our nation. Help us honor our responsibilities, cherish freedom, wield power justly, and shield the vulnerable. Guide our leaders, especially our Commander-in-Chief (Commander) as he supports the Veterans of Foreign Wars. In all challenges, grant us Your wisdom, protection, and peace. Amen.
Creative Benedictions
- As we go from this place today, let us never forget that Christ is at the foundation of all we are and all we do. Let the world see that we are Christians – be proud to show the world who we belong to.
- May the love of the Father, the tenderness of the Son, and the presence of the Spirit, gladden your heart and bring peace to your soul, this day and all days, Amen.
Conclusion
Using the benedictions from the Bible at the close of every service, sermon, or gathering helps attendees remain conscious of God’s blessings as they leave the gathering and resume their daily lives.
This is why the key element in selecting a benediction is the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Understanding the needs of the people, He directs you to the blessing most pertinent to their current situations. So, the next time you deliver or hear a benediction, listen intently, embracing God’s words for your life, confident that they were thoughtfully chosen for you and have the power to transform your life.
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