A church service needs to have a definite conclusion, perhaps highlighting the implications of what has been taught and experienced, and praying for faithfulness in the week that lies ahead. Many New Testament letters end with some form of praise to God and commendation of believers to the care and guidance of God. These and other forms of blessing can provide a satisfying indication that the gathering has ended, even though the fellowship and ministry of believers continues informally in various ways.

12.1

Loving God, we thank you for hearing our prayers,
feeding us with your word,
and encouraging us in our meeting together.
Take us and use us
to love and serve you, and all people,
in the power of your Spirit
and in the name of your Son,

Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Prayer Book for Australia

12.2

Eternal God and Father,
by whose power we are created and by whose love we are redeemed:
guide and strengthen us by your Spirit,
that we may give ourselves to your service,
and live this day in love to one another and to you;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.

An Australian Prayer Book

12.3

Lord Jesus Christ,
send us out with confidence in your word,
to tell the world of your saving acts,
and bring glory to your name. Amen.

A Prayer Book for Australia

12.4

Almighty God,
you have given us grace to bring our prayers to you,
and you promise that when two or three agree together in your name
you will grant their requests.
Fulfil now, Lord, our desires and prayers,
as may be best for us.
Grant us in this world knowledge of your truth,
and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen.

Chrysostom's Prayer (modified), based on Matthew 18:19-20

12.5

Lord God,
we rejoice in your greatness and power,
your gentleness and love,
your mercy and justice.
Enable us by your Spirit
to honour you in our thoughts,
and words and actions,
and to serve you in every aspect of our lives;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sunday Services (modified)

12.6

For your goodness and generosity
in giving us all we need,
help us to praise you O God.
In every circumstance of life,
in good times and bad,
help us to trust you, O God.
In love and faithfulness,
with all that we have and all that we are,
help us to serve you, O God.
As we speak or write or listen
to those nearby or far away,
help us to share your love, O God.
In our plans and work
for ourselves and for others,
help us to glorify you, O God.
In every thought and word and deed,
by the power of your Holy Spirit,
this week, may we live for you, O God.

Sunday Services (modified)

12.7

To God the Father, who loved us,
and made us accepted in the Beloved:
to God the Son who loved us,
and loosed us from our sins by his own blood:
to God the Holy Spirit,
who spreads the love of God abroad in our hearts:
to the one true God be all love and all glory
for time and for eternity. Amen.

Cf. Ephesians 1:3-10; Romans 5:5

12.8

The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you,
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face towards you
and give you peace;
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

Cf. Numbers 6:24-26

12.9

The love of the Lord Jesus
draw you to himself;
the power of the Lord Jesus
strengthen you in his service;
the joy of the Lord Jesus fill your hearts;
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

12.10

Go forth into the world in peace;
be of good courage;
hold fast that which is good;
render to no one evil for evil;
strengthen the fainthearted;
support the weak;
help the afflicted;
honour everyone;
love and serve the Lord,
rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit;
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

Cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:13-22

12.11

Now to the King eternal,
immortal, invisible,
the only God,
be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Timothy 1:17

12.12

To him who loves us
and has freed us from our sins by his blood,
and has made us to be a kingdom
and priests to serve his God and Father,
to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.

Cf. Revelation 1:5b-6

12.13 Other suitable biblical texts to use as concluding forms of praise or prayers for God's blessing include: 

Rom 15 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

2Cor 13 14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Gal 6 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.

Eph 3 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Eph 6 24 Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.

Phil 4 20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

1Thess 5 23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

2Thess 3 16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.

2Tim 4 22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.

Heb 13 20 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, 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

2Pet 3 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

2.14 Go in peace to love and serve the Lord,
in the name of Christ. Amen.