The correct answer is Blessing.
In lexical semantics, morphological and etymological analysis provides the foundation for accurate vocabulary decoding. The noun benediction originates from the Latin roots \"bene\" (meaning well or good) and \"dictio\" (meaning to speak). Therefore, the literal and operational definition of the word is the utterance of a good wish, a ritual invocation of divine favor, or a formal blessing. In both religious ceremonies and formal literary contexts, it denotes an act that conveys positive spiritual utility, making blessing its absolute direct synonym.
The remaining distractor options do not provide an exact semantic match due to improper alignment in specificity or intent. For example, a curse represents the polar opposite concept, functioning as a direct antonym. While a prayer can contain a benediction, it is a broader category of communication that includes supplication, confession, or mourning, rather than strictly a declaration of favor. Similarly, a wish is merely a passive desire lacking the formal, declarative, or sanctified weight inherent in a benediction. Consequently, blessing is the only choice that captures the precise essence of the term.