A benediction is a short statement of blessing, often given at the end of a worship service or biblical letter. The term "benediction" comes from the Latin words bene, meaning "good," and dicere, meaning "say." The term refers to "good words" spoken over someone. In the Bible, benedictions are blessings from God or His representatives to His people, expressing wishes for God's favor, protection, and peace. Examples include the priestly blessing in Numbers 6:24–26, various blessings in the Old Testament used at the tabernacle and temple, and the concluding blessings found in many New Testament letters. Today, we can speak blessings over others to uplift and encourage them, fostering unity and reflecting God's love and grace in our daily interactions
We can apply the biblical practice of benedictions in our daily lives to uplift and encourage those around us. For example, what would it look like to encourage someone with what we think about them and how we pray for them? We could begin each day by speaking a blessing over our families, such as "May God bless you with wisdom, protection, and joy today." In our workplaces, we can conclude meetings with a brief word of encouragement, like "May we be guided by grace and collaboration in all we do." When writing emails or messages, we could include a simple benediction, such as "Wishing you peace and strength." During community gatherings or church services, we can end with a blessing to foster a sense of unity and faith, pointing to the Lord and reminding us we belong to one another in Christ. By consciously verbalizing blessings, we affirm and support others, building a more compassionate and connected community, reflecting the love and grace of God in everyday interactions.