Benediction

<<prayer of blessing>>

A short prayer or statement asking for divine help, guidance and blessing sometimes prayed at the end of a church service such as the OT priestly blessing of goodwill spoken to others, "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace" (Num 6:24-26; Ruth 1:8,9; Ps 67:1, 121:7,8). Similar words

Do I speak ‘God bless you’ over the lives of others?

of encouragement and call to unity and faith are found in the NT too; “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all” (2 Cor 13:14; Eph 6:23,24; 2 Thes 2:16,17; Heb 13:20,21).

See also: bless/blessed.