20 Powerful Blessings and Benedictions in the Bible

So, you know those warm fuzzies you get when someone says something super nice to you? Like when your mom wishes you luck on a big day or your bestie sends you a sweet text out of the blue? Well, imagine that, but straight from the Bible.

Yes–turns out there are these awesome things called benedictions and blessings tucked away in there, and they’re basically like God’s way of giving us a virtual hug and encouraging text just for us. So, let’s dive into the Bible and uncover twenty of these beautiful blessings together!

What is a benediction?

A benediction is a blessing and closing prayer given at the end of a church service from the pastor over the members. Often in the Bible theses were used at the end of sermons/speeches or at the close of the letters that were sent around to the early churches.

Although they are usually used during worship services, benedictions can be used by parents to bless their children at the end of the day, for extended families as they depart from gatherings, for teachers to pray over their students at the end of a school day or year, and simply for encouragement at the close of cards, letters or emails. 

20 Powerful Benedictions and Blessings in the Bible

These Biblical benedictions are perfect to pray over and speak over your fellow believers and loved ones especially during worship services. 

5 Benedictions in the Old Testament

Most of these spiritual benedictions were spoken as a blessing of God over the children of Israel at the end of the lives of their leaders. 

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. -Numbers 6:24-26

This familiar priestly blessing is the benediction God told Aaron, the priest to speak over the people of Israel. It is often called the Aaronic blessing. You can check out a beautiful song The Blessing that is based on this Scripture. 

There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, who rides across the heavens to help you and on the clouds in his majesty. The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. -Deuteronomy 33:26-27a

Final blessing of Moses over the people of Israel before his death. 

Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed. -Joshua 23:14

Joshua, at the end of his very full and long life of service leading the people of Israel, gave them a lengthy speech filled with encouragement, challenge, and blessings. 

I am about to go the way of all the earth,” he said. “So be strong, act like a man,  and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go. -1 Kings 2:2-3

David’s final words of blessing and wisdom for his son, Solomon make a beautiful and powerful benediction prayer. 

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He stood and blessed the whole assembly of Israel in a loud voice, saying:

 “Praise be to the Lord, who has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses. May the Lord our God be with us as he was with our ancestors; may he never leave us nor forsake us. May he turn our hearts to him, to walk in obedience to him and keep the commands, decrees and laws he gave our ancestors. -1 Kings 8:55-58

Solomon’s benediction over Israel that he blessed them with at the dedication of the temple in Jerusalem. 

15 Benedictions in the New Testament

Many of the New Testament writers (Paul, John, Jude, Peter) used benedictions at the close of their letters of instructions and encouragement to the churches in Israel, Asia Minor, Greece, and Italy. These powerful prayers were received by the people of God from their church leaders and spiritual teachers. 

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. -Romans 15:5-6

I love this benediction’s musical play on words emphasizing how our relational harmony with our brothers and sisters in Christ brings an extra volume level of glory to God. 

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. -Romans 15:13

This short and powerful blessing hits all the high points and is filled encouraging reminders. 

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The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. -Romans 16:20

Sometimes it feels like the bad guys will always win. This benediction reminds us that God will crush the devil’s schemes and give us grace for our daily lives! 

Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages  but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen. -Romans 16:25-27

This short closing doxology could be an early hymn or praise song used by the church that Paul shared in his letter to the Roman church. 

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. -2 Corinthians 13:14

The trinity is on display in this short, but powerful benediction blessing. 

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy. -Colossians 1:9-11

This stunning benediction is filled with God’s character as well as a charge for followers of Jesus to live like He would live. 

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For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. -Ephesians 3:14-19

This prayer Paul inserts in the middle of Ephesians is perfect for praying over your children and filled with rich theological truths. 

And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. -Colossians 3:14-15

This benediction emphasizes the blessing that comes from loving and working together versus fighting and arguing as the people of God. 

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. – 1 Thessalonians 5:23

God’s blessing is keeping every facet of our lives secure and at peace through the work of Jesus. 

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word. -2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

This comforting word of benediction is perfect for a hard day or a trying time. 

May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. -2 Thessalonians 3:5

This simple benediction points us straight to God’s steady love. 

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. -Hebrews 13:20-21

This is a powerful benediction to pray over your own life! It feels like a powerful pump-up that reminds us of all God has done for us and will keep doing in our lives through Jesus Christ’s work on the cross. 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. -2 Peter 1:2-3

Peter closes out his last letter, written at the end of his life, with this reminder of the grace, peace, and POWER God flows into our lives. 

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. Amen. -Jude 24-25

Jude, one of Jesus’ younger brothers closes out his short book with this powerful and inspiring benediction focused on God’s work and character. 

Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. -Revelation 1:4-6

John opens his letter of prophecy to the churches with this beautiful blessing and prayer for the people of God. 

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I hope you’ve enjoyed these twenty doses of divine encouragement straight from the Word of God! Whether you’re facing a tough day at work, sharing a meal with loved ones, or just need a little reminder that you’re not alone in this crazy journey called life, these blessings are here to uplift and inspire you. So, next time you’re feeling down or in need of a little boost, remember these words of blessing and read or speak them over yourself. 

And hey, why not pass on the love? Share a benediction with a friend, child, family member, or mentee or stranger – because kindness, like these blessings, has a way of multiplying when we spread it around. Keep shining bright, friends!