A PRAYER FOR THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD (NT)

Acts 8:14-17 (NIV)

14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Come Holy Spirit

Bathe us in your power

so we may have the strength to preach

the Good News

Send us out to the highways

the street corners and shadows

where silence prevails

and fear stalks the dark

May we have the power

to stand against the powers of the night

and bring the presence of God's glory

so all may have light and joy

Come Holy Spirit

Immerse us in your love

so that we can love our enemies

and comfort those in sorrow

Dispatch us to the sick and grieving

in nursing homes and hospital rooms

where sickness attacks and death hovers

and tears flow and hearts ache

May we be a holy presence

to heal the suffering

comfort the mourning

and bless the dying

Come Holy Spirit

Purify us in the ways of peace

so that we can be a force for justice

and messenger of Shalom

Dispatch us to every front and battlefield

where your children are wounded and lonely

to cry for the killing to end

and calm and solace begin

Make us agents of reconciliation

to sow seeds of harmony and understanding

so plants of understanding and forests of cooperation

will grow and flourish in the warmth of your love

Come Holy Spirit baptize us

Strengthen us

Immerse us

Purify us

Amen