Closing Prayer and Benediction

Hebrews 13:20-21

Hebrews 13:20-21 is the blessing near the close of the Letter to the Hebrews, in which the writer, who is not named, commends the readers to the God of peace who raised Jesus from the dead.

God of peace, You brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the eternal covenant. Now, as we leave this place, equip us with every good thing to do Your will. Go with us into our homes, our work and our neighborhoods this week. Accomplish in us what is pleasing in Your sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Hebrews 13:20-21 is the blessing near the close of the Letter to the Hebrews, in which the writer, who is not named, commends the readers to the God of peace who raised Jesus from the dead.

The Scripture

“Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with every good thing to do His will. And may He accomplish in us what is pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
— Hebrews 13:20-21

Prayer points from Hebrews 13:20-21

Thank God that He brought Jesus back from the dead.
Praise Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, for leading His people.
Ask God to equip each person with every good thing to do His will.
Pray for the homes, workplaces and schools people are going back to.
Ask Him to accomplish in you what is pleasing in His sight.
Give Him the glory, forever and ever.

About this verse

The Letter to the Hebrews was written to believers who were in danger of drifting away from Christ, and chapter after chapter it shows that Jesus is greater than all that came before Him. Near the end, after asking the readers to pray for him, the writer gives them a blessing: “Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with every good thing to do His will.” It rests on what God has already done in raising Jesus. Then it asks God to work in us “what is pleasing in His sight.” We don’t leave church to do God’s will in our own strength; He equips us for it. That is why many pastors speak these words over the congregation at the end of a service. This prayer is for whoever closes a church service or meeting in prayer and sends God’s people out into the week.

When to pray this prayer

At the end of a Sunday service, before the people go
As the closing prayer of a church meeting or class
After the Lord’s Supper
At the close of a Bible study or small group
At the end of a conference or retreat
Before a mission team is sent out

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