Prayer for Declán Xavier O’Brien-Joplin
on the occasion of his baptism, Sunday, July 13, 2005
O Lord, Omnipotent Father, we give you thanks for having given us this child. As Jesus took children in his arms and blessed them, so we ask your blessing on Declán. Heavenly Father, we praise you for his birth; surround him with your blessings that he may know your love, be protected from evil, and know your goodness all his days. May he learn to love all that is true, grow in wisdom and strength and, in time, come through faith and baptism to the fullness of your grace. Give us the wisdom to guide him, the patience to teach him, and the vigilance to accustom him to good through our example. Support our love so that we may receive him back when he has strayed and make him good. Grant that he may always see our home as a haven in his time of need. Teach us and help us to be the best parents we can for him and to guide him along the path you have chosen for him.
God Our Creator we thank you: for creating water to give life and to refresh and cleanse all creatures; for the wonder of new life, and for the mystery of human love; for all whose support and skill surround and sustain the beginning of life; for sending your Son, Jesus Christ, to be baptised for us by John in the River Jordan and to die for us upon the Cross, and for his glorious resurrection that this child has been brought to receive baptism of water and of the Holy Spirit, and we pray that you hear our prayers and send the Holy Spirit to bless this water for the spiritual washing --- that this child may be raised to walk in the new life; for Jesus Christ, who has opened to us the way of love. We praise you, Father. Blessed be the Lord.
O God, it is our prayer that Declán will come to know the joy and suffering of being concerned about everyone he meets; that he will see each person worthy of dignity and acceptance. We hope for him a growth into fuller and deeper levels of humanity as expressed through Jesus. We pray that Declán will live in a world where justice is increased and where violence is decreased as a way to settle differences. Our hope is that Declán will
understand that You alone can give life meaning, purpose and direction,
O God, we pray that he will be on his knees before You with words of thanksgiving; and on his feet for You with deeds of love grow in the knowledge and love of God, through Jesus Christ. This is our prayer. Amen
Prepared by: Alan and Bronwyn, the proud parents.
