Baby blessing
A Baby Blessing Prayer Ritual
WE GATHER
Welcome
This is an occasion of pure joy! Welcome parents as we gather to celebrate the arrival of your new child into the circle of humanity.
A new baby is like the beginning of all things: wonder, hope and a dream of infinite possibilities. Today we ask that God continue to protect (Name and Name) and their baby in their imminent journey together and begin our prayer in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen. +
Opening prayer
Loving God, you have given the precious gift of life to the new child growing within (Name). Bless these parents abundantly as they prepare for the birth of their child. May their hearts be filled with joy.
We ask this prayer through Jesus, your Son.
ALL: Amen.
WE LISTEN
Gospel Reading
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Reader: A reading from the First Letter of the Corinthians
Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
The Word of the Lord
ALL: Thanks be to God
WE RESPOND
Reader: (Parent Name/s), may God’s strength be with you, holding you in loving hands and may you be, in return, the sacrament of God’s strength to those whose hands you hold.
ALL: May the blessing of strength be on you.
Reader: (Parent Name/s), may God’s gentleness be with you, caressing you with sunlight, rain and wind and may God’s tenderness shine through to warm your hearts.
ALL: May the blessing of gentleness be on you.
Reader: (Parent Name/s), may God’s Mercy be with you, forgiving you, beckoning you and encouraging you.
ALL: May the blessing of mercy be on you.
Reader: (Parent Name/s), may God’s wonder be with you, delighting you with new life and growth, enchanting your senses and filling your heart.
ALL: May the blessing of wonder be on you.
Reader: (Parent Name/s), may God’s compassion be with you, holding you close when you are weary; and may you be the warm hands and warm eyes of compassion for your newborn and all your family and friends when they reach out to you in need.
ALL: May the blessing of compassion be on you.
Reader: (Parent Name/s), may God’s patience be with you, waiting for you with outstretched arms, letting you experience the growth of your baby and may you enjoy the time you will spend listening to stories, wiping the tears, and allowing the person of your newborn to flourish.
ALL: May the God of patience be on you.
Reader: (Parent Name/s), may God’s joy be with you, thrilling you with God’s nearness as you feel and watch the movement of life in your infant.
ALL: May the God of joy be on you.
WE GO FORTH
Blessing
Reader: Let us all raise our hands towards (Parent Name/s) as a sign of blessing.
ALL:
May the Lord bless you
and protect you.
May the Lord smile on you
and be gracious to you.
May the Lord show you his favour
and give you his peace.
Numbers 6:24-26