Writing a closing prayer for worship can be difficult. You want it to encapsulate the message you just gave but leave your congregation with a feeling of hope and love.
As a pastor, you have a great responsibility... you lead a busy life. Your life extends beyond the walls of the church, but your mind is always at the church. We’re here to help! Are you looking for a sample closing prayer for worship service? Below are multiple variations: blessings, thanksgivings, humility, guidance, protection, fellowship, wisdom and more.
You can use these prayers as-is or edit them as you see fit. Whether you want creative closing prayers or traditional closing prayers, these samples can point you in the right direction.
Table of Contents
- Closing Prayer for Blessing
- Love for Others Prayer
- Closing Prayer for Worship and Thanksgiving
- Closing Prayer for Humility
- As We Leave This Place Prayer
- Closing Prayer for Guidance
- Prayer for Protection
- Closing Prayer for Wisdom
- Fellowship Prayer
- Prayer of Worship
- Closing Prayer for Peace
- Hear From You Prayer
- Prayer for Faithfulness
- Prayer for Abiding
- Closing Prayer for Tithing
- Prayer for When Life is Hard
- Closing Prayer for Marriages
- Prayer for Health
- Closing Prayer for Faith
- Prayer for Grieving
- Closing Prayer for Purity of Mind
- Prayer for the Holy Spirit
- Closing Prayer for Patience
- 192 Amazing Church Speeches & Templates
- FAQs
- Can a closing prayer be personalized for specific occasions?
- What are some examples of biblical benedictions to use in closing prayers?
- How can closing prayers impact the congregation?
- What themes can be covered in closing prayers?
- How do you write a compelling closing prayer?
1. Closing Prayer for Blessing
- Prayers of blessing have been offered since biblical times. They are often said as a closing prayer for church service as a benediction.
- A prayer of blessing can summarize key themes from the preceding service, express gratitude for the Lord's kindness, and send congregants out into their busy week feeling reminded of God's love and protection.
- Scriptures to consider include Numbers 6:24-26, 2 Corinthians 13:14, and Romans 15:13.
Lord God, thank you for your abundant blessings, sure signs of your love and care for us. Thank you for forgiving our sins, even for the sins we do not realize we commit. Lord, please fill us with your wisdom and your compassion for others. May you bless us with your never-ending love. May you fill our cups with joy and may our lands overflow with your abundance. Lord, please help us to serve you in all we do. Help us to honor you both today and every day. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.
2. Love for Others Prayer
The Bible says to love one another. One way to meaningfully conclude a worship service is to ask for God's help when loving our neighbors, even when loving our enemies.- A love of others prayer can be a powerful way to promote peace and reconciliation, to build unity, and even to counter prejudice and discrimination within your congregation.
- Key Scripture passages include the Greatest Commandment (Matthew 22:39) and 1 John 4:7-8.
Father God, your loving-kindness knows no bounds. Our world is in so much turmoil and we find ourselves fearful at times. Help us to remember the example you set for us of what unconditional love looks like. Help us to love our neighbor. Fill us with love for those close to us, but also those who differ from us. We ask that you help us to love others as you love us, putting others before ourselves. Thank you for your unfailing love. Amen.
3. Closing Prayer for Worship and Thanksgiving
- Worship and thanksgiving are two pillars of the Christian faith. A thoughtful closing prayer helps to remind your congregation of all they have to be thankful for and to point their eyes heavenward.
- Gratitude is a common theme in many famous Christian prayers, from the Lord's Prayer to the Serenity Prayer. The Prayer of Thanksgiving by Dietrich Bonhoeffer is another potential resource that many Christian communities have used.
- Important Scriptures include Psalm 106:1, Psalm 100:4, and James 1:17.
Heavenly Father, we thank you for this time we could spend in your presence today. Help us remember that you have given us more than we could have ever asked for or even imagined. Help us to continually turn our eyes to you in worship and adoration. For you are the Alpha and the Omega, king overall. We thank you for all you bless us with, the family and friends you surround us with. We thank you for the freedom we find in you. In your name, we pray, Amen.
4. Closing Prayer for Humility
- The very definition of having an attitude of humility means we interact with others in a way that is not arrogant. Offering a prayer of humility as the closing prayer for church service is a good reminder for parishioners to think this way as they go forth into their day.
- Important Scripture verses to consider include Philippians 2:3-4, Micah 6:8, Romans 12:3, and Luke 14:11.
Lord God, we come before you today wholly unworthy of even being in your presence. We thank you for the gift of salvation through your Son that made it possible for us to gather in your name today. Help us to be willing to serve others even when our efforts may go unnoticed. Help us to be gracious and forgiving of others when wronged. Lord, please grant us compassion and humility of heart. In your name, Amen.
5. As We Leave This Place Prayer
- This type of closing prayer is meant to be used as a benediction over your congregation. It can serve as a reminder to be a light in the world as they go about their daily lives.
- These prayers can acknowledge the ongoing presence of the Lord in the lives of believers, invoke his encouragement and protection throughout the week, and remind congregants of their place in God's mission.
- For a Scripture reference, consider Numbers 6:24-26 and Ephesians 3:20-21.
Heavenly Father, thank you for this time that we have spent together learning more about you and worshiping your name. As we leave this place today, may we be committed to worshiping and serving you in our daily lives. Lord, show us ways that we can bless others each day. Help us to see you in the monotony of the mundane; help us to see your blessings around us in the simple, small things that bring us joy each day. As we leave this place, please fill us with peace. Help us to go forth with joy that can only come from you. Amen.
6. Closing Prayer for Guidance
- This type of closing prayer seeks both comfort and guidance to your congregation. It can be used as a closing prayer for a traditional or contemporary service.
- Prayers for guidance can be especially apt following sermons or Scripture lessons about passages that are cloudy, challenging, or difficult in their application.
- Consider key Bible verses such as Psalm 25:4-5 and James 1:5.
Lord God, we come before you today humbly, acknowledging our need for you. We thank you for your never-ending patience despite our many flaws and fumbles. Lord, we ask that you guide us as we seek to live out your will in our lives. Shine your light into the areas of our lives where we need to make changes and give us a desire to be more like you. We know your Word is a light unto our path, so help us to seek you out each day; to read Your Word for guidance and direction. Lord, may your loving hand direct our steps as we go out into the world today. In Jesus' name, we ask these things, Amen.
7. Prayer for Protection
- The world has seen much upheaval in the last few years and this has left people feeling anxious and unsafe. This type of prayer can be used to ask for protection and safety.
- Prayers for protection can also be tailored to seek God's favor among congregants in especially dangerous situations, whether firefighters, first responders, or international missionaries.
- This can also be a meaningful prayer to pray over teachers and students before the start of a new school year.
- Key Scriptures include Psalm 91:1-2 and Proverbs 18:10.
Father God, we come before you today weak and afraid. Our world feels frightening in ways that it has not before. Thank you, Lord, that we can trust you to be the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Thank you for being a God we can trust wholeheartedly without fear or reservation. Lord, we ask for your protection over our church. We ask that you would erect a hedge of protection around our families; we ask that you would place a shield around those we love and care for. Please, Lord, do not let the fiery darts of the enemy touch us. Thank you that you are a God who never slumbers. We trust in you. Amen.
8. Closing Prayer for Wisdom
- The Bible tells us that if we ask for wisdom, we will receive it. This kind of prayer is a great way to remind your congregation of this Biblical promise.
- A prayer for wisdom can be apt following a sermon or Scripture lessons that is difficult to apply, or presents challenges over the course of day-to-day living.
- James 1:5 and Psalm 111:10 are a couple of essential Scripture verses.
Lord God, we know that your word tells us that if we ask you for wisdom, you will grant us our request. We come to you today, asking you to fill us with your wisdom so that we may be more like you. We know that wisdom is not found in worldly affairs but is a gift from you. Help us to know the difference. Help us to be people of vision; people who live with our eyes on eternity, not on things of this world. Keep us from straying from the path you have set before us. Lord, please grant us your wisdom in full measure. We ask this in Jesus' name, Amen.
9. Fellowship Prayer
- Fellowship is one of the most important parts of creating a healthy community within your church. This type of prayer is a good way to ask for God's help and guidance in this area.
- These prayers can facilitate unity and connection, promote healing and reconciliation, and even encourage congregants to exhibit love for one another throughout the week.
- This might also be an inspiring prayer for church-wide retreats or seminars, along with any other type of church fellowship meeting.
- Essential Scriptures for this theme include Hebrews 10:24-25 and 1 John 1:7.
Heavenly Father, we thank you for this time we've had together in your presence. Help us to remember in the hustle and bustle of daily life that our time together and our time with you is ultimately what matters most. Help us to carve out time in our busy schedules for fellowship, to encourage one another, and point one another toward you. Help us to value our brothers and sisters in Christ and to see our need for one another. Thank you for making us one family under you. We love you, Lord. Amen.
10. Prayer of Worship
- Leading your congregation in worship can be one of the most fulfilling parts of serving in the church. This sample prayer can be used when closing out the worship portion of the service.
- Praise for God's character has been the foundation of benediction prayers throughout church history.
- Anchor this prayer in Scriptures such as Psalm 95:6, Romans 12:1, and John 4:23-24.
Lord, we are grateful to be gathered together today to worship your Holy Name. We offer our worship and adoration to you, for you are worthy to be praised. We lift our voices together to offer you all that you are due. Thank you for bringing us together today to worship in this place. Thank you for all you have blessed us with and for all you provide. Please help our focus to remain on you as we go about our day. In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.
If you're looking to add a little more impact to this prayer, try the video we built for it. In the video, the text overlays a city in spring. Warm and welcoming music plays as the text is displayed.
To find more videos you can use during services, subscribe to our YouTube channel. It is packed with guides, church countdown videos, welcome videos and more.
11. Closing Prayer for Peace
- When the world feels overwhelming, the church is often a place of safety for many. This sample prayer is to be used to usher in peace for your congregation.
- A prayer of peace can be appropriate as a response to tension in the broader world, or even turmoil within the congregation itself.
- There are a few important Scriptures to consider here, including John 14:27, Philippians 4:7, and Isaiah 26:3.
Heavenly Father, there is so much in the world around us that we can't comprehend right now. At times like this, life feels overwhelming until we are reminded that you are in control. Help us to practice patience when things seem bleak, to remember that you are the God who makes a way when there seems to be no way. Please bless us with your perfect peace, Father. Help us to rest in you and trust in your timing. In your name, we ask these things, Amen.
12. Hear From You Prayer
- At times it can feel as if God is quiet and we are waiting to hear him speak or give direction. Use this sample prayer after a sermon on this topic.
- Psalm 85:8 and Psalm 28:1 are just a couple of verses that can be useful for inclusion here.
Lord God, thank you for hearing us when we pray. Thank you that we can come to you with every concern, big and small. Lord, we come to you today to ask that you pour your Spirit out on this place. May we feel you move within our hearts; may we hear your voice. We ask that you help us to have ears that hear and hearts that are willing to follow. Lord God, we ask this in your name, Amen.
13. Prayer for Faithfulness
- There are times when we feel we've stumbled or fallen in our walk with God and need to ask forgiveness and for renewed faithfulness. This sample prayer is to aid in encouraging your church members after a sermon on this topic.
- A prayer for faithfulness can be framed as our obedient response to God's faithfulness, even as we acknowledge our continued struggles with sin.
- Important Scripture verses on this subject include Lamentations 3:22-23 and 2 Timothy 2:13.
Lord Jesus, we thank you for loving us despite our many stumbles and failings. Please forgive our missteps and guide us as we seek to serve you wholeheartedly. Lord, please help us to be faithful followers of Christ. Help us never to be ashamed to live our lives according to your commands. We long to be more like you. Please mold us more into your likeness every day. Thank you for your love and faithfulness to us. In Jesus' name, Amen.
14. Prayer for Abiding
- We are told that when we abide in Christ, and he in us, we will bear much fruit. This is a sample closing prayer for church meetings centered around abiding in Christ.
- John 15:4 is the classic text on this subject, but also take a look at 1 John 2:28.
Dear God, we thank you for bringing us together in one place to worship you today. We ask that you help us to stay consistently in your Word each day, that we might abide in you, and you in us. Please help us not to get swept up in things of this world. Help us to keep our minds focused on you and may we strive to do your will. Thank you, Lord God, for your compassion and kindness toward us. In your precious name, Amen.
15. Closing Prayer for Tithing
- Church finances can be awkward to talk about on Sunday morning, but the Bible is clear that God expects his followers to tithe.
- This short prayer for tithes and offering can be used in closing after a sermon on tithing. Alternatively, it can be used before the part of the service in which the offering plate is passed.
- Consult these Scriptures: Malachi 3:10 and 2 Corinthians 9:7.
Heavenly Father, we come before you with love and adoration. We thank you for gathering us here today to worship you. Lord, as we consider giving back to you, help us to do so with generous and joyful hearts. Help us to honor you and to remember that all we have is a gift from you. We now offer a portion of those gifts back to you. Please accept our tithes as good and pleasing in your sight. In Jesus' name, Amen.
16. Prayer for When Life is Hard
- There are times when very hard things happen in the world and they must be addressed on Sunday morning. This sample prayer can be used for those occasions.
- These prayers can be encouragements to your congregation that they are not alone in experiencing suffering in the world, and reminders that God does not turn a blind eye to struggle or injustice. Such prayers can be valuable for enriching the individual prayer life of each congregant, too.
- Essential Bible verses on this subject include Psalm 34:18, Isaiah 41:10, and Matthew 11:28-30.
Lord God, we come before you today worn and weary. The world seems harsher even than usual this morning and we ask for an extra measure of Your grace and compassion. Fill this place with your presence, Father, and help us to feel your comfort flow over us. Lord God, we realize in times like these just how much we truly need you. Thank you for your steadfast and unconditional love. Please forgive our uncertainty and doubt. Help us to be faithful servants. We love and praise your name. Amen.
17. Closing Prayer for Marriages
- Marriage is another topic often addressed on Sunday morning from the pulpit. This sample closing prayer can be used after a sermon on marriage, asking God for divine blessings on each marriage represented within the church body.
- Ephesians 5:25 and Genesis 2:24 are both worth meditating on as you prepare to give this prayer.
Lord, we thank you for this time together to learn about your plan for our families. We believe that you have brought us together for a purpose. Help us to keep you at the center of our marriages, to rely on you for wisdom and guidance. Please forgive us when we fail to put our spouses before ourselves, when we fail to speak kindly; when we fail to act humbly. Please guard our marriages and help us to do the work necessary for them to succeed. In Jesus' name, Amen.
18. Prayer for Health
- The health of congregation members can also be of concern to church leaders. Use this sample closing prayer to address health concerns in your church.
- Prayers for health can be especially meaningful during intense seasons of cold and flu (to say nothing of COVID), or simply to acknowledge congregants who are experiencing medical concerns.
- Essential Bible verses include 3 John 1:2 and James 5:14-15.
Heavenly Father, we come before you today grateful to be gathered in your name. We lay at your feet our brothers and sisters who are dealing with health concerns. Lord, we ask that you lay your healing hand upon them and bring them comfort. We ask that you free them from any worries and anxiety; we ask your Spirit to fill them completely. Lord, we believe you are our Healer and our Counselor, our Great Physician. Please hear our prayer. We ask this all in Jesus' precious name, Amen.
19. Closing Prayer for Faith
- Is your worship service about strengthening your faith this week? The following sample prayer can be used for weeks centered around faith, making for an appropriate closing blessing.
- A prayer for faith can be a good coda to sermons about the saving work of Jesus, or even meaningful benedictions following sermons about our struggles with sin.
- Consider verses such a as Mark 9:24 and Luke 17:5.
Lord God, we are so grateful to be together worshiping and praising you. Lord, we desire to know better. We ask that you strengthen our faith, and help us to be bolder in how we live our lives, and serve you. Give us faith that can move mountains. We want to be strong in you. Ready to give an answer for our faith and do battle against any lies of the enemy we may encounter. Lord, please fill us with wisdom and faith that only come from you. In your name, we pray, Amen.
20. Prayer for Grieving
- There will be times when your church family experiences the loss of loved ones. Use this sample closing prayer for times of grieving and loss.
- Prayers for grieving can also be appropriate following local or national tragedies, particularly those in which life is lost.
- Some helpful Scripture passages include Psalm 34:18 and Revelation 21:4.
Lord Jesus, we come to you today full of sadness and sorrow. Lord, we ask you to wrap your arm around our loved one and comfort them during this difficult time. Please give us the strength to bear our burdens while we grieve. Thank you, Lord, for your compassionate love, and please help us to extend that love to one another during this time of loss. Draw close to us, Lord, may we feel your presence. In Jesus' name, Amen.
21. Closing Prayer for Purity of Mind
- When your church sermons include the topic of being cleansed or purified of mind, the following sample prayer can be used.
- Prayers for purity of mind can also be helpful during marriage conferences or events specifically for men or women.
- For Scriptural references, consider Philippians 4:8, 1 Timothy 4:12, and James 4:8.
Dear Heavenly Father, we come before you humbly today, asking that you remove anything within us that is not pleasing to you. Lord, we thank you for sending your Son to pay the penalty for our sins. We ask your forgiveness for those things we have done that go against your commands. Lord, we ask that you renew us and purify us from within. Make us wholly pleasing to you. We desire to be people who serve you above all else. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.
22. Prayer for the Holy Spirit
- If your service is focused on learning more about the Holy Spirit, your closing prayer should focus on this as well.
- This can also be an appropriate type of prayer when you wish to ask for guidance or for ongoing strength in sanctification.
- Also remember that the Holy Spirit is part of the godhead, making it very appropriate to offer declarations of praise for this meme
- Mediate on these Scriptures: John 14:26, Acts 1:8, and Romans 8:26.
Lord Jesus, thank you that we are able to be here today, gathered together to worship you. We thank you for your gift of the Holy Spirit. Please fill us with your Spirit and may we be full of grace, joy, and peace, because of your presence within us. May your Spirit's power produce fruit within our lives. May your Spirit allow us to live in victory over sin that has weighed us down. Help us to live holy lives, focused on serving you. In your name, we pray, Amen.
23. Closing Prayer for Patience
- In this hustle-and-bustle world, it can be hard to live a patient life. This closing prayer is for times when this is the topic of your worship service.
- A prayer for patience can also be an appropriate way to conclude a service about grief, suffering, or trials, reminding congregants to be patient for the Lord's return.
- Also note that these prayers can be anchored in the truth that God is patient with us, even in our sin and folly.
- Essential Bible verses include Galatians 6:9, James 5:7-8, and 2 Peter 3:9.
Lord, we come to you today grateful to be gathered with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Lord, we are weary and battle-worn. We feel pressure from every side. Help to stay steadfast in our faith and keep our eyes focused on you. Lord, please grant us patience as we wait on you to fulfill the promises in your Word. Help us to be full of grace and compassion when dealing with others; help us to love others as you have loved us. Lord, thank you for your never-ending patience with us. Help us to be patient people, so that we may point others toward you. We ask these things in Jesus' name, Amen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a closing prayer be personalized for specific occasions?
Yes, and it’s actually a great idea to personalize your closing prayer to a specific occasion and even to who is in the room for a service or event. By personalizing your closing prayer with words and details specific to that service and what has taken place there, you show attendees that you’re paying attention, listening and not simply offering up the same prayer time after time.
What are some examples of benediction prayers in the Bible?
Using words directly from the Bible helps to add meaning and impact to your closing prayer, helping listeners hear directly from God’s Word as they prepare to leave your church and return to their daily lives. Here are a few examples:
- The Aaronic Blessing
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. — Numbers 6:24–26 - An Invocation from Psalm 121
The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and forevermore. — Psalm 121:7–8 - Praying for God’s Ongoing Work in Our Lives
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 - Benediction of Sanctification
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
How can closing prayers impact the congregation?
A meaningful closing prayer draws together the thoughts and words your congregation has heard during a church worship service and encourages them to take those lessons with them into their lives outside the church walls. It’s a time to connect with one another and with God, helping lift spirits and refocus each person’s heart on things God has shown them over the course of the service. Renowned pastor and Christian author Alistair Begg notes that, “Our fellowship with God through the Lord Jesus Christ is principally expressed through our prayers.”
What themes can be covered in closing prayers?
The theme for your closing prayer should correspond to what was talked about and sung about in your service. Choosing a prayer that relates to these areas of the service reinforces them to your congregation and helps ingrain them in their minds throughout the week ahead. Also, many theological experts recommend incorporating scripture into closing prayers based on prayers from the Bible. Here are a few theme ideas:
- Pray for hope and courage
- Pray for your city, nation and civic leaders
- Ask God to help congregants in their expression of goodwill for one another
- Praise God for his love and grace
- Pray for those who don’t yet know Jesus
- Pray for teachability and humility
- Praise God for what he has done in your life
- Offer an expression of faith for God's ongoing work in your life
How do you write a compelling closing prayer?
Start from a place of honesty, genuineness and focusing on God when writing your closing prayer. After all, prayer is how we connect with God. A simple expression of praise is always a good starting point. Think about the service that precedes the prayer, the messages and concepts presented in song and from the pulpit or stage, and what you want the congregation to take away from their time in church. Write from a place of appreciation for God's divine presence, and don’t be afraid to infuse your words with genuine emotion and thankfulness for His goodness. Also, encourage listeners as the service ends, knowing each person is facing different challenges in their life and could use encouragement.
192 Amazing Church Speeches & Templates
Writing messages, remarks and sermons for different occasions can take a lot of work. That's why we built a resource filled with nearly 200 messages for every occasion. Download the free eBook, and you’ll have...
- Benedictions for worship.
- Dozens of Holiday greetings and messages.
- Welcomes for worship services.
- And much more!
Don't miss our Worship Service Greetings for Churches ideas and templates for heartfelt ways to welcome your congregation.
