Faith & WorshipThe tradition of a blessing or benediction as part of an act of worship has been a part of Jewish worship for generations, and we can trace it back to the book of Numbers where Aaron and his sons bless the Israelites with this blessing :
“The Lord bless you
and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace. ”
(Numbers 6:24-26)
Interestingly this is apparently the oldest known Biblical
text that has been found; amulets with these verses written
on them have been found in graves in dating from the First
Temple Period, and are now in the Israel Museum, Jerusalem.
Below are some contemporary blessings that I have written
for use in worship. If reprinted, an acknowledgement would be appreciated.
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.
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.
God bless this morning for you,
in your rising and journeying,
opening your eyes to the beauty
around you, in places and faces;
opening your ears to the sounds
of chatter, traffic, and birdsong;
opening your heart to the world
in which you move and breathe,
with so many possibilities within it,
of which your life is one small part.
Within the busyness of this day
may you sense God’s presence,
an inner warmth and strength
that can overcome adversity,
a sense of peace, a whisper
heard through the distractions
of daily life, uplifting, calming,
enabling, your assurance that,
whatever this day might throw,
you are well-equipped, ready
and willing to follow the call
to be God’s hands and voice
and make a difference today.
May the peace of God enfold us,
The love of God uphold us,
The wisdom of God control us.
Let the majesty of the Father
be the light by which you walk,
the compassion of the Son
be the love by which you walk,
the presence of the Spirit
be the power by which you walk.
May the peace of God reign in this place
and the love of God forever hold you tight,
May the Spirit of God flow through your life
and the joy of God uphold you day and night.
The love of God be the passion
in your heart.
The joy of God your strength
when times are hard .
The presence of God a peace
that overflows.
The Word of God the seed
that you might sow.
The embrace of the Father
Be the comfort you desire.
The name of the Son
Be the one on whom you rely.
The presence of the Spirit
Be with you every hour.
The Three in One
Be the focus of all you are.
May the beauty of God
be reflected in your eyes,
the love of God
be reflected in your hands,
the wisdom of God
be reflected in your words,
and the knowledge of God
flow from your heart,
that all might see,
and seeing, believe
The peace of God be in your heart
The grace of God be in your words
The love of God be in your hands
The joy of God be in your soul
and in the song that your life sings.
God’s love surround you, God’s Spirit guide you,
God’s whisper cheer you, God’s peace calm you,
God’s shield protect you, God’s wisdom arm you,
wherever God may lead you.
May God’s Spirit surround you,
and those whom you love.
Rest now, in that calm embrace,
let your hearts be warmed
and all storms be stilled
by the whisper of his voice.
May your day be blessed
by moments of quietness,
light in your darkness,
strength in your weakness,
grace in your meekness,
joy in your gladness,
peace in your stillness.
May your day be blessed.
In anxiety may you find peace
In sadness may you find comfort
In sickness may you find healing
In loneliness may you find company
In busyness may you find space
In listening may you find wisdom
In following may you find hope
In the One who meets our needs
Who says, ‘Ask and you will receive.’
May the love of Christ
be active in your heart,
be heard in your words,
be seen in your actions
and inform your choices
today and all days. Amen.
May the riches of God’s blessing
never become a thing of pride
but an overflowing well of giving
daily shared both far and wide
May the knowledge
of God’s presence
be your strength
throughout this day,
a source of wisdom,
love, light, and grace.
And as darkness falls
may you find peace
in that presence,
and the gift of sleep.
May our hearts sing of love
pouring out upon a tree.
May our hearts sing of peace
that can calm an angry sea.
May our hearts sing of joy
in forgiveness, grace, mercy.
May our hearts sing of faith
in a God who sets us free.
May our hearts sing of life
lived well and abundantly.
May our hearts sing, always.
May you find peace
in your busyness,
in your journeying,
in your happiness,
in your suffering,
in your fearfulness,
in your questioning,
in your faithfulness,
in your worshipping.
May you find peace.
God’s arms enfold
and protect you.
God’s word inform
and inspire you.
God’s love infuse
and transform you.
God’s Spirit flow
and empower you
now and always.
God of rising sun, embrace us
God of mist and rain, refresh us
God of flowing stream, revive us
God of gentle breeze, speak to us
God of day and night-time, hear us
God of tears and laughter, bless us
God of love and power, uphold us
Your children and our family, we pray
God’s wisdom be the store from where
our daily thoughts are gathered.
God’s love be a flowing river
bringing peace to heart and soul.
God’s whisper be a word in time
breaking through this world’s clamour.
God’s faithfulness be our strength
and hope within the storms we face.
God’s peace be known
deep within your soul
when anxiety and fear
assail you, when daily
life becomes a burden
that is difficult to carry.
God’s peace be known
and felt, as those arms
reach out to hold you.
God’s peace be known
and heard, in words
of comfort and release.
God’s peace be known.
May the God of love surround you,
those loving arms embrace you,
bring you comfort, hope and light.
And as the day draws to a close
God’s peace permeate your heart,
and bring healing through the night.
In the busyness of life
may you find space.
In the worries of life
may you find peace.
In the beauty of life
may you find joy.
In the sorrows of life
may you find comfort,
faith be strengthened
and your day be blessed.
May eyes be blessed
that they might see
God’s beauty revealed
in the world today.
May ears be blessed
that they might hear
God’s glorious whisper
in the breeze today.
May voices be blessed
that they might share
God’s love and mercy
in the world today.
Bless the prayer warriors,
who daily bring to you
the needs of all those
in the local community;
friends, neighbours,
those going to work,
the young and the old,
strangers passing by.
For their prayers, Lord,
and the love they show,
we offer grateful thanks.
Bless those close to us,
our family and friends.
Bless the neighbourhood
of which we are a part.
Bless this town or city
we think of as our home.
Bless the young and old,
faces known or strangers.
Keep them safe and well,
meet them in their needs,
our loving God, we pray.
In every moment
of this day
May you know
the embrace
of God’s love
May you hear
the whisper
of God’s voice
May you feel
the presence
of God’s Spirit
May you share
the knowledge
of God’s grace
in every moment
of this day
God bless your journey;
the people and places,
talking and listening,
giving and receiving,
fellowship, loneliness,
sorrow and thankfulness.
May all you embrace
build and strengthen you
on your daily walk with God.
May the knowledge
of God’s presence
be your strength
throughout this day,
a source of wisdom,
love, light, and grace.
And as darkness falls
may you find peace
in that presence,
and the gift of sleep.
God of rising sun, embrace us
God of mist and rain, refresh us
God of flowing stream, revive us
God of gentle breeze, speak to us
God of day and night-time, hear us
God of tears and laughter, bless us
God of love and power, uphold us
Your children and our family, we pray
May you know the warmth
of God’s loving embrace
May you know the joy
of God’s ever-presence
May you know the peace
of God’s gentle whisper
May you know the strength
of God’s Spirit within you
this day and always in your life.
God’s peace be known
deep within your soul
when anxiety and fear
assail you, when daily
life becomes a burden
that is difficult to carry.
God’s peace be known
and felt, as those arms
reach out to hold you.
God’s peace be known
and heard, in words
of comfort and release.
God’s peace be known.
May you find peace
within the storm,
and the encircling
of his arms.
May you find rest
within the night,
and refreshment
in the dawn.
May you find joy
within your heart,
a song just waiting
to be sung.
May you find peace.
Bless those who give,
who go the extra mile
in their care for others,
and whose love expands
to fill the present need,
not dwelling on the cost.
Bless their generosity,
and those receiving it.
By their good example
may others’ needs be met.
May you hear the word
of God the Father
and embrace the truth
May you know the love
of God the Son
dying that we might live
May you sense the peace
of God the Spirit
flowing through your veins
May you find yourself
within the unity
of the eternal Three.
God bless each step
that you take today,
whether that road
is rough or smooth.
And in God’s strength
step out in faith,
step out in love,
step out in peace,
and bless this world
with God’s presence
in and through your life.
God bless your journey;
the people and places,
talking and listening,
giving and receiving,
fellowship, loneliness,
sorrow and thankfulness.
May all you embrace
build and strengthen you
on your daily walk with God.
May your feet tread lightly
within this precious garden,
and imprints left behind
be simply where you paused
to sow a seed of love,
where now a flower blooms.
Bless our feet
that they might tread
the path prepared.
Bless our hands
that they might show
your love’s embrace.
Bless our words
that they might share
your grace and peace.
Lord, bless our journey
through this coming week.
May the pace be steady,
paths made safe,
no obstacles impede,
and conversations
with fellow travellers
be fruitful and uplifting.
Lord, bless our journey
through this coming week.
God’s love direct your actions,
God’s truth be in your words,
God’s joy infuse your spirit,
God’s peace be in your hearts.
May the peace of God
be your companion
wherever you may walk,
a constant strength,
a helping hand,
and tireless friend.
God bless you in rising,
through dawn chorus
and cheerfulness.
God bless you in working,
through honest toil
and service.
God bless you in sharing,
through spoken word
and embracing.
God bless you in resting,
through peaceful sleep
and protection.
May the blessings of the earth surround you.
Clear paths and firm ground to walk upon,
fresh water and green shoots to sustain you.
May the blessings of the sky surround you.
Rising sun to lighten your journey,
soft rain in due season to refresh you.
May the blessings of heaven surround you.
Angel voices to raise your spirits,
the Father’s arms to lift and embrace you.
Bless the hands that share your work
Bless the minds that know your ways
Bless the lips that speak your word
Bless the hearts that sing your praise
Bless the week ahead.
May its challenges
not overwhelm us,
circumstances
not discourage us,
and in all things
may we remember
you are with us
in our journeying,
your love our fuel,
your word our guide,
today and always.
May the blessing of God,
Creator and Sustainer,
surround you through this day.
May the love of Christ,
Redeemer and Saviour,
comfort you through this day.
May the Holy Spirit,
in the unity of the Three,
support you through this day.
Bless the hands that do your work.
Bless the arms that show your love.
Bless the ears that hear your word.
Bless the heart that brings your joy.
Bless the tears that share your pain.
Bless the lives you touch today.
Bless this new week,
and all that it may bring.
Within its highs and lows,
its victories and struggles,
remind us, Lord, to sing.
The gentleness of the Father
be the love that warms you,
the radiance of the Son
be the light which guides you,
and the power of the Spirit
be the strength which keeps you
safe wherever you may be this day.
May the river of God’s love
wash gently over you,
and, bathing in its warm
and cleansing water
may you find healing,
wholeness, and strength
enough for this and every day.
May the grace of God uphold you,
the peace of God surround you,
the love of God flow from you
and the strength of God protect
and bring you safely through this day.
May God be with you
through the storms of life,
a safe haven,
voice of calm,
reassurance,
healing balm,
and when storms are over
bring you safely home.
A song of joy be in your heart
At the beginning of the day,
And at work and relaxation
God beside to guide the way;
And when the day is closing
And the moon shares its soft light
May your soul be filled with peace
Within the stillness of the night.
This day, and all days, having rested
safely within the Father’s warmth,
may you be refreshed by Spirit’s breath,
nourished by living water and bread,
and know the fellowship of God
beside you, wherever you may be led.
The blessing of the God of life be with us
in our journeying
The blessing of the risen Christ be with us
in our following
The blessing of the Holy Spirit be with us
in our questioning
The blessing of the heavenly host be with us
in our worshipping
Bless, O God, each hour, each day,
that we shall walk with you.
May the cleansing water
of God’s love refresh you,
the gentle breeze
of God’s Spirit revive you,
and the radiance
of God’s Son surround you,
this day and all days. Amen
God’s presence be with you,
Spirit’s breath refresh you,
Son’s love sustain you
and the power of the Three
be revealed through your life
today and every day. Amen.
May the love of Jesus Christ
bring us wholeness,
the grace of God the Father
grant us peace,
the breath of Holy Spirit
instil passion
and the unity between them
give us strength
for this and every day.
May the Father’s hand
keep you from stumbling,
the footprints of Jesus
give you confidence to follow,
and the fire of the Spirit
keep you warm and safe
in your walk with God this day.
May the love of God
be the ocean that you sail on
and the grace of God
bring you calm in stormy days.
May the word of God
guide you to your destination
and the breath of God
speed you safely on your way.
God bless you in rising,
through dawn chorus
and cheerfulness.
God bless you in working,
through honest toil
and service.
God bless you in sharing,
through spoken word
and embracing.
God bless you in resting,
through peaceful sleep
and protection.
May the peace of God
be your companion
wherever you may walk,
a constant strength,
a helping hand,
and tireless friend.
Bless, Lord, the words I speak
that they might bring comfort.
Bless, Lord, these hands I use
that they might be of service.
Bless, Lord, this path I tread
that it might be safe to travel.
Bless, Lord, this life I live
that it might bring you glory.
The grace of God the Father
be the motivation
for all that we do and say.
The love of God the Son
be the inspiration
for the many words we pray.
The power of God the Spirit
be in the expression
of a living faith this day.
May the blessings of the earth surround you.
Clear paths and firm ground to walk upon,
fresh water and green shoots to sustain you.
May the blessings of the sky surround you.
Rising sun to lighten your journey,
soft rain in due season to refresh you.
May the blessings of heaven surround you.
Angel voices to raise your spirits,
the Father’s arms to lift and embrace you.
God’s love direct your actions,
God’s truth be in your words,
God’s joy infuse your spirit,
God’s peace be in your hearts.
Copyright © John Birch, 2025 · Prayers written by the author may be copied freely for worship. If reproduced anywhere else please include acknowledgement to the author/website · Privacy Policy
