A Marriage Benediction
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 24,25
A benediction is usually prayed at the conclusion of the wedding service. You may want to use the following benediction, compiled from various sources:
May your marriage bring you all the fulfillment a marriage should bring and may the Lord give you patience, tolerance and understanding.
May it be full of joy and laughter, as well as comfort and support. May you discover the true depth of love through loving one another.
Remember that every burden is easier to carry when you have the shoulders of two instead of one. When you are weary and discouraged, look to Jesus to refresh and strengthen you.
May you always need one another—not so much to fill your emptiness, as to help you to know your fullness.
May you always need one another, but not out of weakness. Rejoice in and praise one another’s uniqueness, for God is the creator of both male and female and differences in personality.
Be faithful to one another in your thoughts and deeds and above all, be faithful to Jesus. May you see the marriage bed as an altar of grace and pleasure.
May you remember that each time you speak to one another you are talking to someone that God has claimed and told, “You are very special.” View and treat your partner as one who was created in the image of God.
Remember that you are not to hold your partner captive, but to give freedom to become all that God wants the person to be. May you then embrace and hold one another, but not encircle one another.
May God renew your minds so you look to draw out the best and the potential in one another.
Look for things to praise, never take one another for granted, often say, “I love you” and take no notice of little faults. Affirm one another, defer to one another and believe in your partner.
If you have differences that push you apart, may both of you have good sense enough to take the first step back.
May the words “You’re right,” “Forgive me” and “I forgive you” be close at hand.
Thank You, heavenly Father, for Your presence here with us and for Your blessing upon this marriage.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
H. Norman Wright
H. Norman Wright is a licensed Family Counselor and child therapist and has taught in the Grad. Department of Biola University. He is the author of more than seventy books
