BAPTISMAL
PRAYERS.
O God, Who restorest human nature
to a higher than its original dignity, look on the ineffable mystery of Thy
loving-kindness; and in those whom Thou hast been pleased to renew by the
mysteries of regeneration, preserve the gifts of Thy perpetual grace and
blessing; through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Gelasian)
O God, Who openest the entrance
of the kingdom of heaven to those only who are born again of Water and the Holy
Spirit, increase evermore on Thy servants the gifts of Thy grace; that they who
have been cleansed from all sins, may not be defrauded of any promises; through
our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ibid.)
O God, Who hast renewed in the
Font of Baptism those that believe in Thee, vouchsafe to the regenerate in
Christ such preserving grace, that they may not lose the grace of Thy benediction
by any incursion of error; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. (Ibid.)
O God, Who restorest us unto
eternal life by Christ's Resurrection, fulfil the ineffable mystery of Thy
loving-kindness; that when our Saviour shall come in His majesty, as Thou hast
made us to be regenerated in Baptism, so Thou mayest make us to be clothed with
a blessed immortality; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ. (Gelasian)
O God, by Whom redemption cometh
to us, and adoption is bestowed, look upon the works of Thy mercy; that unto
those who are regenerated in Christ may be vouchsafed both an eternal
inheritance and a true freedom; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. (Ibid.)
Almighty and everlasting God,
bring us to the fellowship of heavenly joys; that Thou mayest vouchsafe an
entrance into Thy kingdom to those that are born again of the Holy Ghost, and
that the lowly flock may reach that place whither the mighty Shepherd hath gone
before; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. (Ibid.)
Hear us, O Almighty God; and as Thou
hast bestowed on Thy family the perfect grace of Baptism, so do Thou dispose
their hearts to the attainment of eternal bliss; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(Ibid.)
O God, Who by the Baptism of
Thine Only-begotten Son hast been pleased to sanctify the streams of water;
grant that we who are born again of Water and the Spirit may attain an entrance
into eternal joys; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. (Gregorian, as
edited by Pamelius)
May Thy servants, O Lord, who
have been called to Thy grace, be unceasingly protected by Thy help; that they
who have been regenerated in divine Baptism, may never be plucked away from the
power of Thy kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Gothic)
O God. by Whom redemption and
adoption are bestowed upon us, raise up unto Thyself the hearts of Thy
believing people; that all who have been regenerated in holy Baptism may
apprehend in their minds what they have received in mysteries; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. (Old Gallican Missal)
O Lord God Almighty, Who hast
commanded Thy servants to be born again of Water and the Holy Ghost, preserve
in them the holy Baptism which they have received, and be pleased to perfect it
unto the hallowing of Thy Name; that Thy grace may ever increase upon them, and
that what they have already received by Thy gift, they may guard by integrity
of life. (Gallican Sacramentary)
O God, Who hast bestowed on Thy
servant by holy Baptism redemption from his sins, and the life of regeneration;
do Thou, O Lord God, grant the brightness of Thy face to shine for ever on his
heart. Preserve the shield of his faith safe from the lying-in-wait of the
adversaries; the robe of incorruption, which he has put on, clean and
unpolluted; and the spiritual seal of grace untouched and inviolate; Thou being
reconciled to him and us, according to the multitude of Thy mercies; for
blessed and glorified is Thy venerable and majestic Name of Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. (From the Baptismal
Rites of the Eastern Church)
O Lord our God, our Master, Who
by the font of Baptism dost illuminate the baptized with heavenly radiance, Who
hast vouchsafed to Thy servant, (recently illuminated,) by Water and the
Spirit, remission of his sins, voluntary and involuntary; lay Thy mighty hand
upon him, and protect him with the power of Thy goodness; preserve him from
losing the earnest of glory, and be pleased to bring him to eternal life and to
Thy good pleasure;--for Thou art our sanctification, and to Thee we render
glory, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
Amen. (From the Baptismal Rites of the Eastern Church)
Him who hath put on Christ our
God, do Thou preserve, as an invincible wrestler, against the vain assaults of
his adversaries and ours; and grant that all they who are adorned with the incorruptible
crown may be victorious even unto the end;--for it is Thine to pity and to
save, and to Thee we render glory, with Thine unbegotten Father, and Thy most
holy, good, and life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
Amen. (Ibid.) (William Bright, Ancient Collects and Other Prayers, Selected
for Devotional Use From Various Rituals, With An Appendix on the Collects in
the Prayer-Book [3d ed.; Oxford: J H. and Jas. Parker, 1864], 159-63)
As Bright noted:
These prayers, which strikingly illustrate
our Baptismal Offices, clearly assert two things; 1. the reality of Baptismal Regeneration;
2. the necessity of post-baptismal growth in grace. (Ibid., 164 n. a)
