Father, we give thanks once again for the joy and privilege that we have as a your church each time we welcome one of your children into our body through the ordinance of baptism.

We give thanks when we hear testimonies, such as Lily’s, of your goodness and mercy toward those of us who were once dead in our trespasses and sins-living for our own selfish gain. We were following the course of this world-controlled by the passions of our flesh, such as anger and anxiety.

But You, O Lord, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which you loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—it is by your grace alone that we have been saved— And not only that, but you sustain all who have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, Our Lord, who lived, died and was raised on our behalf. And as he tells us, we are his sheep, and we hear his voice, and he knows us, and we willingly, humbly follow Him.

Heavenly Father, it is you who gave us to him and He gives us eternal life, and therefore we will never perish, and no one, as you promise, will snatch us out of his hand.

In Christ we are your new creations and we no longer live for ourselves, but for him who for our sake died and was raised.

May we never forget that we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which You prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them guided by the truth of your word and the light of your Spirit.

We pray for Lilly and each of us here today that because of your grace, we would live our lives on this earth for your honor and glory, Amen