The Closing Prayer

Benediction Tips for Your Christian Wedding Ceremony

a couple holding hands with a pastor officiating at a wedding ceremony — Kristine Foley/Getty Images

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Updated on February 15, 2019

The closing prayer or benediction brings the Christian wedding ceremony to a close. This prayer typically expresses the wishes of the congregation, through the minister, offering a blessing of peace and joy, and that God may bless the new couple with his presence.

You may wish to ask a special wedding participant other than the minister to offer the closing prayer. This could be a visiting missionary, a close friend, or anyone that you would like to ask.

Here are samples of the closing prayer. You may use them just as they are, or you may wish to modify them and create your own together with the minister performing your ceremony.

Sample Closing Prayer #1

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon you and give you peace.

Sample Closing Prayer #2

May the love of God be above you to overshadow you, beneath you to uphold you, before you to guide you, behind you to protect you, close beside you and within you to make you able for all things, and to reward your faithfulness with the joy and peace which the world cannot give -- neither can it take away. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, to whom be glory now and evermore. Amen.

Sample Closing Prayer #3

Join with me as we ask God's blessing on this new couple. Eternal Father, redeemer, we now turn to you, and as the first act of this couple in their newly formed union, we ask you to protect their home. May they always turn to you for guidance, for strength, for provision and direction. May they glorify you in the choices they make, in the ministries they involve themselves in, and in all that they do. Use them to draw others to yourself, and let them stand as a testimony to the world of your faithfulness. We ask this in Jesus name, Amen.

To gain a deeper understanding of your Christian wedding ceremony and to make your special day even more meaningful, you may want to spend some time learning the biblical significance of today's Christian wedding traditions.