Bishop Eric Menees
Blessings to you all as we continue with our journey through
the 2019 BCP Service of Holy Baptism. Last week, we spoke of the importance of
the faith of the community who stands with the candidate and vows to support
him or her in their walk with Christ.
Today, that promise turns to action with the Litany for the
Candidates. This series of petitions reflects our calling out to God to assist
our brothers and sisters in Christ to live out their lives as the adopted
children of God!
These petitions reflect a theological depth not found in the
1979 BCP, a deep understanding of the relationship between our savior and his
redeemed children. The concluding prayer offered by the celebrant reflects this
beautifully.
I bid you to pray this litany for yourself that God may
continue to bless and strengthen you in your relationship with Him, our eternal
Father, Creator, and the Redeemer of our Lives.
Litany for the Candidates
The Deacon, or other
person appointed, may say
Let us now pray for these Candidates who are to receive the
Sacrament of Baptism.
That these children may come to confess their faith in Jesus
Christ as Lord and Savior.
We beseech you to
hear us, Good Lord.
That all these Candidates may continue in the apostles’
teaching and the fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers.
We beseech you to
hear us, Good Lord.
That they may walk in a manner worthy of the calling to
which they have been called, ever growing in faith and all heavenly virtues.
We beseech you to
hear us, Good Lord.
That they may persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever
they fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord.
We beseech you to
hear us, Good Lord.
That they may proclaim by word and deed the Good News of God
in Christ Jesus to a lost and broken world.
We beseech you to
hear us, Good Lord.
That as living members of the Body of Christ, they may grow
up in every way into him who is the head.
We beseech you to
hear us, Good Lord.
That, looking to Jesus, they may run with endurance the race
set before them, and at the last receive the unfading crown of glory.
We beseech you to hear us, Good Lord.
Other petitions may be added.
Prayer for the Candidates
The Celebrant now prays for the Candidate(s) as follows
Let us pray.
Almighty and everlasting Father, in your great mercy you
saved Noah and his family in the Ark from the destruction of the flood,
prefiguring the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. Look mercifully upon these your
servants. Wash and sanctify them through your Holy Spirit, that they may be
delivered from destruction and received into the Ark of Christ’s Church; and
being steadfast in faith, joyful through hope, and rooted in love, they may
pass through the turbulent floods of this troublesome world and come into the
land of everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
I pray you all a blessed week!
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