A Prayer for the Baptism of the Lord

Lord Jesus, You walked down into the Jordan
and stood in line with ordinary people.
You had nothing to confess,
and still You went down into the water with us.

The heavens opened.
The Spirit came down like a dove.
And the Father said, This is my beloved Son.

You had not preached a sermon yet.
You had not healed anyone.
You were loved before You did a thing.

Let me hear that same love today.
When I try to earn my place,
remind me that in You I am already held.
And send me out, as You were sent,
to serve with a glad and quiet heart.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

When to Pray This

Pray this on the Sunday after Epiphany, when churches remember Jesus' baptism in the Jordan. It is also a good prayer for any morning you feel you have to earn your worth.

A Verse to Hold On To

"And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." — Matthew 3:17 (KJV)