After posting an earlier version of Preaching Tips I realized that it was missing a list of good benedictions. So I asked for some input from others. I hope you find them useful.
If you have some candidates to add to this list, please send them to me.
Blessings, Tim
Steve Bell's paraphrase of Numbers 6.24-26. It's found in the lyrics of his song "For the Journey."
May the Lord bless and keep you.
May his face shine upon you.
May his graciousness be like an endless stream.
May the Lord show his favor to your house and your neighbor.
Till the last remaining strains of striving cease,
May he grant you peace.
May the LORD our God be with us as he was with our spiritual ancestors; may he never leave or forsake us. May He turn our hearts to Himself, to walk in all His ways, and to keep the commands, decrees, and regulations He gave those who preceded us. - 1 Kings 8:57-58
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. - Romans 15:5-6
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. - Romans 15:13
May the God of peace be with you always. Amen. - Romans 15:33
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. - 2 Corinthians 13:14
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, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen. - Ephesians 3:20-21
Peace be with you, dear brothers and sisters, and may God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you love with faithfulness. May God’s grace be eternally upon all who love our Lord Jesus Christ. - Ephesians 6:23-24
May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:7
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you. - Philippians 4:8-9
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
May the Lord of Peace give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. - 2 Thessalonians 3:16
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. - 2 Thessalonians 3:18
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 everything good for doing his will. And may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. - Hebrews 13:20-21
And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast. To Him be the power forever and ever. Amen. - 1 Peter 5:10-11
(May you) grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father's Son, will be with us in truth and love. - 2 John 1:3
To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy- to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power, and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. - Jude 1:24-25
You are called to go out into the world in peace, have courage, and hold onto God's love.
Serve the weak, help those that suffer, return no one evil for evil – honor everyone you meet.
Love the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit, which is God's unique gift to each one of us. And may the Love of God, the Grace of Jesus, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you and abide in you all week.
A call and repeat benediction:
God is in control, (Those who concur, repeat)
despite appearances to the contrary. (Repeat)
This is what we believe. (Repeat)
This is what we have seen. (Repeat)
This is what we have to share with the world. (Repeat)
(Leader: Let's share it this week with someone.)
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you and abide with all those dear to you, now and forevermore. Amen.
Adapted from Richard Halverson, Presbyterian minister who was chaplain of the U.S. Senate for many years..
Wherever we go, God goes with us.
God has a purpose for us wherever we are.
Christ, who indwells us by the power of his Spirit,
wants to do something in and through us.
Believe this and go in his grace, love, and power.
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen