Seasonal Sentences, Prayers, and
Blessings for use after Communion
(Jump to Advent; Christmas; Epiphany; Lent; Holy Week; Easter; Ascension; Pentecost; Sundays after Pentecost; Additional Blessings)
Season of Advent
Sentences
Watch at all times, praying for the strength to stand with confidence before the Son of man. Luke 21:36
Look up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. Luke 21:28
In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Isaiah 40:3
The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all the world shall see it together. Isaiah 40:5
Prepare the way of the Lord, make the paths straight, and all the world shall see the salvation of God. Luke 3:4, 6
Restore us again O God: show us the light of your face and we shall be saved. Psalm 80:3
Prayers
Creator God,
We praise you for your love in coming to us,
unworthy though we are.
Give us grace to accept the Christ who comes in your name,
and the courage to be Christ for others.
We praise and thank you, Creator God,
for you have not left us alone.
Each year you come to us, Emmanuel,
God with us in a manger.
Each time you come to us
in the broken bread and the cup we share.
In time or out of time you will be revealed
and we shall see you face to face.
Give us courage, God our strength,
to see your Christ in all who suffer,
to be hands to the helpless,
food for the hungry,
and rescue for the oppressed.
Blessings
One of the following or some other appropriate introduction to the blessing is said.
May Christ, as he comes, deliver you from your guilt, anxiety and resentment...
May Christ be our new beginning, the hope and salvation of the world...
Christ the sun of righteousness shine upon you and scatter the darkness from before your path...
Followed by
...and the blessing of God almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be with you and
remain with you for ever.
Amen.
Or
...and the blessing of God our Creator, Redeemer and Giver of life be with you
always.
Amen.
Season of Christmas
Sentences
The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory. John 1:14
The bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. John 6:33
Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10, 11
Put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:24
How great is the love that the Father has shown to us! We were called God’s children, and such we are. 1 John 3:1
Prayers
Son of Mary, Son of God,
may we, for whom the heavens have opened
never lose that heavenly vision.
May we, who like the shepherds,
have seen in your birth a new kind of love,
witness to that love in our lives.
Welcome, welcome, Jesus Christ our infant saviour,
baby who makes every birth holy.
May we, who like the shepherds
have witnessed in the stable a new kind of love,
return to our work with joy.
May we, for whom the heavens have opened
to proclaim that God is with us,
we who have fed on living bread
and drunk the wine of heaven,
go out to be instruments of your peace, day by day.
Father of all,
the child born for us is the Saviour of the world.
May he who made us your children
welcome us into your kingdom,
where he is alive and reigns with you now and for ever.
Blessings
One of the following or some other appropriate introduction to the blessing is said.
May Christ our infant saviour give you the joy of the Bethlehem shepherds, the awe of the worshipping sages and the humility and love of the holy family. May you become as little children...
Christ, who by his incarnation, gathered into one all things earthly and heavenly, fill you with joy and peace...
Christ the Son of God, born of Mary, fill you with grace to trust his promises and obey his will...
May Christ the Prince of Peace give you his peace...
Followed by
...and the blessing of God almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be with you and
remain with you for ever.
Amen.
Or
...and the blessing of God our Creator, Redeemer and Giver of life be with you
always.
Amen.
Season of Epiphany
Sentences
Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. Isaiah 60: 1
A voice came from heaven, saying, ‘This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased.’ Matthew 3:17
O Lord my God you are great indeed, you are clothed in majesty and splendour. You cover yourself with light as it were with a garment. Psalm 104:1, 2
I have seen it myself, and bear witness, that this is the chosen one of God. John 1:34
Jesus said, ‘I am the light of the world; those who follow me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’ John 8:12
Prayers
Praise to you, Jesus Christ,
God in human form.
You show us the fulness of life;
help us to find this life for ourselves
and for others.
Thanksgiving and love and praise to you Jesus Christ.
You are God revealed in human form;
you are the baby visited by the shepherds,
the boy in the temple learning the law;
the man baptised in water and the Spirit
driven to the desert to face the devil.
You are Christ the teacher, Christ the healer.
You went to Jerusalem to give your life
as a ransom for us all.
May we who have been your guests
at this communion
reveal your life to all the world.
May we be no longer your servants,
but know your will,
and be your friends.
You give us your life, may we be worthy of it;
you give us yourself, may we embody you.
Gracious God, lover of all,
by this sacrament
you make us one family in Christ your Son,
one in the sharing of his body and blood,
one in the communion of his Spirit.
Help us to grow in love for one another
and come to the full maturity of the body of Christ.
We ask this in his name.
God of glory,
you nourish us with bread from heaven.
Fill us with your Holy Spirit,
that through us your light may shine in all the world.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ.
Blessings
One of the following or some other appropriate introduction to the blessing is said.
May Christ’s star in heaven bring you to humility and worship, bring you to look upon God at work...
May Christ’s bright star enlighten your mind and heart as you strive for equality, justice and kindness in the world...
Christ the Son be manifest to you, that your lives may be a light to the world...
Followed by
...and the blessing of God almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be with you and
remain with you for ever.
Amen.
Or
...and the blessing of God our Creator, Redeemer and Giver of life be with you
always.
Amen.
Season of Lent
Sentences
The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit: a broken and contrite heart O God you will not despise. Psalm 51:17
Create in me a clean heart O God: and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32
Jesus said: ‘I am the living bread which came down from heaven; whoever eats of this bread, will live for ever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh.’ John 6:51
We do not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4
Unless a grain of wheat falls on the ground and dies, it remains a single grain; but, if it dies, it yields a rich harvest. John 12:24
Far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world. Galatians 6:14
If we claim to be sinless, we are self-deceived, and strangers to the truth. If we confess our sins God is just, and may be trusted to forgive our sins, and cleanse us from every kind of wrong. 1 John 1:8, 9
Prayers
Jesus our only Saviour,
you renounced the way of ease
for the way of truth and life.
Draw us to seek God’s kingdom
whatever the cost,
for the sake of the true treasure in heaven.
Praise and glory to you, Jesus Christ our Saviour,
for you do not call the righteous
but us sinners to repentance.
You draw us away from the easy road
that would lead to our destruction.
You call us instead to seek God’s kingdom,
to strive for what is right,
and to lay up our treasure in heaven.
Faithful God,
in this communion
you increase our faith and hope and love.
Lead us in the path of Christ
who is your Word of life.
God of our pilgrimage,
we have found the living water.
Refresh and sustain us
as we go forth on our journey,
in the name of Jesus Christ.
Blessings
One of the following or some other appropriate introduction to the blessing is said.
May Christ who calls you to take up your cross, give you strength to bear your own and one another’s burdens...
Christ give you grace to grow in holiness, to deny yourself, and to take up your cross and follow him...
Followed by
...and the blessing of God almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be with you and
remain with you for ever.
Amen.
Or
...and the blessing of God our Creator, Redeemer and Giver of life be with you always.
Amen.
Holy Week
Sentences
Christ became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:8
All of us like sheep have gone astray, and we have turned to our own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on him. Isaiah 53:6
Jesus our Lord was given up to death for our misdeeds, and raised to life to justify us. Romans 4:25
The Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Matthew 20:28
Whoever serves me, must follow me; and where I am, there shall my servant be also; the Father will honour anyone who serves me. John 12:26
Christ our Passover lamb has been sacrificed. 1 Corinthians 5:7
For as often as we eat this bread and drink this cup we proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes. 1 Corinthians 11:26
Out of love for the world God gave the only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (adapted)
If while we were God’s enemies we were reconciled by the death of God’s Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. Romans 5:10
As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. John 3:14
Prayers
Jesus, you suffered on the cross for our redemption;
help us, if we are called to suffer,
to be like you:
to forgive and to trust
in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus, Son of God, our true and only Saviour:
you died on the cross, a criminal under a curse;
you are God who forgives.
You died helpless, a failure and in pain.
You are God with whom there is hope;
you showed us the greatest love there is;
for you died for us with the Passover lambs.
Help us to forgive as you have forgiven us.
Help us to trust you, even when hope is failing.
Help us, if we are called to suffer,
to take up our cross
and to follow you in your redeeming work.
God of our salvation,
in this eucharist
you have renewed us in your covenant.
Help us to follow in the path of him
who came to open the eyes of the blind
and bring prisoners out of darkness.
Almighty and eternal God,
you have restored us to life
by the triumphant death
and resurrection of Christ.
Continue this healing work within us.
May we who partake of this mystery
never cease to give you dedicated service.
Blessings
One of the following or some other appropriate introduction to the blessing is said.
May Christ the crucified convince you that God loves you and has forgiven you...
May the cross carry you through whatever pain and suffering assails you. May you go forward with courage in the faith of Christ...
Christ crucified draw you to himself...
May you find in the cross a sure ground for faith, a firm support for hope, and the assurance of sins forgiven...
Followed by
...and the blessing of God almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be with you and
remain with you for ever.
Amen.
Or
...and the blessing of God our Creator, Redeemer and Giver of life be with you
always.
Amen.
The Season of Easter
Sentences
Christ our Passover lamb has been sacrificed for us; therefore let us keep the feast with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Alleluia. 1 Corinthians 5:7, 8
Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Come and eat’; and he took bread, and gave it to them. Alleluia. John 21:12, 13
The disciples knew the Lord Jesus in the breaking of the bread. Alleluia. Luke 24:35 (adapted)
Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57
All you who have been baptised have been clothed with Christ. Alleluia. Galatians 3:27
Set your minds on things that are above, and not on things that are on the earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Alleluia. Colossians 3:2, 3
Prayers
Christ, you are risen from the dead.
We are risen with you.
May our life never deny
this eternal life,
this peace and hope and joy.
Praise and glory to the God of life
who is stronger than all kinds of death. Alleluia.
Christ, you are risen with the sun;
you are light in our darkness,
warmth in our cold.
You are peace and hope and joy,
for you went willingly to death.
You turned defeat and failure to victory for all.
You live eternally, and with you live the millions,
living and dead, who trust in you.
May we who in baptism die to sin,
rise again to new life
and find our true place in your living body.
May the new covenant sealed in your blood
through us bring healing and reconciliation
to this wounded world.
Alleluia. You are risen. We are risen with you.
Praise and glory to the living God.
Father,
we have seen with our eyes
and touched with our hands
the bread of life.
Strengthen our faith
that we may grow in love for you and for each other;
through Jesus Christ the risen Lord.
Blessings
One of the following or some other appropriate introduction to the blessing is said.
May Christ who out of defeat brings new hope and new alternatives, bring you new life...
May you be a new creation, Christ for those to whom Christ shall send you...
May Christ, who by death has destroyed death, give you all courage and joy in believing...
The God of peace,
who by the blood of the eternal covenant
brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ,
that great shepherd of the sheep,
make you perfect in every good work;
working in you that which is pleasing and good...
The God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, make you perfect in every good work to do his will...
God the Father, by whose glory Christ was raised from the dead, strengthen you to walk with him in his risen life...
God, who through the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ has given us the victory, give you joy and peace in your faith...
Followed by
...and the blessing of God almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be with
you and remain with you for ever.
Amen.
Or
...and the blessing of God our Creator, Redeemer and Giver of life be with
you always.
Amen.
Ascension
Sentences
Jesus said, ‘I am with you always, to the end of the world.’ Matthew 28:20
We have a great high priest who has passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God. Hebrews 4:14
The disciples worshipped Jesus and went back to Jerusalem full of joy; and were continually in the temple, praising God. Luke 24:52, 53
Sing praises to God’s holy name: make a highway for the one who rides on the clouds, whose name is the Lord, in whose presence exult. Psalm 68:4
Prayers
King of kings, Lord of lords,
you have ascended your royal throne
carrying the crossbar for your crucifixion.
Now you are lifted high,
exalted to draw us all to your love.
You are the captive saviour,
who has led us in triumph
from the sin, the anxiety, and the doom
which held us captive.
May we whom you have redeemed
and called to be guests at your table
receive and put to use the gifts you offer us.
Praise and glory to you, God of space and time,
humble saviour, king of love.
Give praise to God,
for the risen Christ is with us now
in power and majesty,
in grace and peace.
May we live in him as he lives in the glory
of the eternal Trinity.
Eternal Giver of love and power,
your Son Jesus Christ has sent us into all the world
to preach the gospel of his kingdom.
Confirm us in this mission,
and help us to live the good news we proclaim.
Blessings
One of the following or some other appropriate introduction to the blessing is said.
May Christ, who is human and divine, who is of heaven and also of earth, lift up your hearts, lift up your lives to God...
Christ make you faithful and strong to do his will that you may reign with him in glory...
Followed by
...and the blessing of God almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be with
you and remain with you for ever.
Amen.
Or
...and the blessing of God our Creator, Redeemer and Giver of life be with
you always.
Amen.
The Day of Pentecost Whitsunday
Sentences
The disciples were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and spoke of the great things God had done. Acts 2:4, 11
God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us. Romans 5:5
The wind blows where it wills and you hear its sound, but do not know where it comes from or where it is going; so it is with everyone born of the Spirit. John 3:8
Prayers
God of power,
may the boldness of your Spirit transform us,
may the gentleness of your Spirit lead us,
may the gifts of your Spirit
be our goal and our strength
now and always.
Praise and glory to you creator Spirit of God;
you make our bread Christ’s body
to heal and reconcile
and to make us the body of Christ.
You make our wine Christ’s living sacrificial blood
to redeem the world.
You are truth.
You come like the wind of heaven, unseen, unbidden.
Like the dawn
you illuminate the world around us;
you grant us a new beginning every day.
You warm and comfort us.
You give us courage and fire
and strength beyond our everyday resources.
Be with us Holy Spirit in all we say or think,
in all we do this and every day.
Father, may we who have received this sacrament
live in the unity of your Holy Spirit,
that we may show forth your gifts to all the world.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ.
Blessings
One of the following or some other appropriate introduction to the blessing is said.
May Christ’s holy, healing, enabling Spirit be with you every step of the way, and be your guide as your road changes and turns...
The Spirit of truth lead you into all truth, give you grace to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, and to proclaim the word and works of God...
Followed by
...and the blessing of God almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be with
you and remain with you for ever.
Amen.
Or
...and the blessing of God our Creator, Redeemer and Giver of life be with
you always.
Amen.
Sentences for the Sundays after Pentecost
We are children of God, so God has sent the Spirit into our hearts. Galatians 4:6
We are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 1 Corinthians 12:27
Jesus said, ‘The bread of life is that which comes down from heaven, and gives life to the world.’ John 6:33
Through faith we are all children of God in union with Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26
God has given us eternal life, and this life is in Jesus the Son. Anyone who has the Son has life. 1 John 5:12
We look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18
Additional Blessings
One of the following or some other appropriate introduction to the blessing is said.
Trinity Sunday
God the Holy Trinity, make you strong in faith and love, defend you, and guide you in truth and peace...
Saints
God give you grace to follow the saints in faith and hope and love...
God give you grace to follow the saints in faith and truth and gentleness...
May the saints inspire and encourage you...
All Saints
May Christ who makes saints of sinners, who has transformed those whom we remember today, raise and strengthen you that you may transform the world...
General
The God of all grace who called you to eternal glory in Christ Jesus, restore, establish and strengthen you in the faith...
The peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus...
The peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord...
Christ who has nourished us with himself, the living bread, make you one in praise and love, and raise you up at the last day...
The God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing...
Followed by
...and the blessing of God almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be with
you and remain with you for ever.
Amen.
Or
...and the blessing of God our Creator, Redeemer and Giver of life be with
you always.
Amen.
Alternative Blessings
Mā te mārie a te Atua e kore nei e taea te whakaaro e tīaki ō koutou ngākau
ō koutou hinengaro i roto i a Karaiti Īhu; ā kia mau kia ū hoki ki a koutou
te manaaki a te Atua Kaha Rawa, a te Matua, a te Tama, a te Wairua Tapu āianei,
ā, ake tonu atu.
Āmine.
May God whom Jesus called Abba embrace you in love for ever;
may God the Servant bear your burdens with you;
may God the Paraclete grant you life in one another:
so may the blessing of God,
Abba, Servant, Paraclete,
be with you always.
Amen.
Alternative Dismissal of the Community
When more appropriate this Dismissal may be used in any liturgy.
Grace and peace remain with you,
and keep you in the love of Christ.
Amen.