Here’s a closing prayer and benediction originally written for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (January 18-25).
Sending
(Romans 8:38)
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life,
nor angels, nor rulers,
nor things present, nor things to come,
nor powers, nor height, nor depth,
nor anything else in all creation,
will be able to separate us from the love of God
in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8: 38)
We leave this place of prayer to return to the particular circumstances of our own lives. Let us go forth strong in our faith and our hope, for God our Father has made all things new in Jesus Christ. He sends us to witness to his love and to play a role in the new creation. May God, who knows our joy, our anger and our pain, guide us always, and may we be courageous, stay faithful and live a life worthy of the Christian faith.
Lord, stay with us.
Optional hymn/song
Possibly one which celebrates God’s reconciliation with his people
through the cross.
Benediction
Christians gathered here today, brothers and sisters in faith,
you/we who would wish to be a sign of reconciliation
through the power of the cross:
May the Lord bless you/us and keep you/us
May the Lord make his face shine upon you/us and be gracious to you/us
May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you/us and give you/us peace. Amen.
— from Resources for The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and throughout the year (2009), jointly prepared and published by The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and The Commission on Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches. Posted on the World Council of Churches website.
