The Benediction Prayer

The benediction prayer is usually said at the closing of of a service of worship. There are several different benedictions.

The etymology of the word benediction, lets us know it’s meaning. Bene means good, and diction means saying. So, the benediction is a blessing that describes what good God will do for us.

There are many benedictions depending on the religion, and certain religions have several different benediction prayers.

Christian Benedictions

“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.Amen.”[Colossians 3:15-17]

The Aaronic Benediction

May the Lord bless you and keep you;
may He cause his spirit to shine on you
and be gracious to you;

May He lift up His smile on you and give you peace.

“The LORD bless you and keep you;
The LORD make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.”[Number 6:24-26]

Roman Catholic Benediction – The Collect for Purity

O God, the King eternal,
whose light divides the day from the night
and turns the shadow of death into the morning:
Drive far from us all wrong desires,
incline our hearts to keep your law,
and guide our feet into the way of peace;
that, having done your will with cheerfulness
during the day, we may, when night comes,
rejoice to give you thanks;
through Jesus Christ our Lord

A Jewish Benediction

The Priestly Blessing

My beloved is like a gazelle or a young hart
Behold, he stands behind our wall
He looks in through the windows
Peering through the lattice