Holy God:
We thank you for the love and grace, the power and majesty, the humility and mercy you have shown through your Son Jesus. We thank you that you have made yourself known to us through becoming one of us, that you have shown us that you love us more deeply than we can ever imagine and that you never leave us or forsake us.
Today, as we remember that our Lord was baptized by John in the Jordan river so long ago, we are grateful also that we have been able to share in baptism. You called Jesus by name. You spoke of your love for him. You poured out your spirit upon him. You said that you were pleased with him.
Give us eyes to see and a heart to understand the gift of baptism as the sign of your heart toward Jesus being extended toward us. Help us to hear your voice today. Help each of us to hear you call us by name. Help us to know that you are our father and that we are your beloved children. Help us to hear you bless us, to know you find pleasure in us, that you are pleased with us just because you love us and we are your family.
And, holy God, pour out your spirit afresh upon each of us. Fill us with power. Help us to go from this place with a mission, with your joy in our hearts and your word on our lips. May the same spirit who filled Jesus with the power to proclaim repentance and the coming of the Kingdom, the same spirit that empowered Jesus to heal the sick and set free the captives, may that same spirit overwhelm and empower us to do even greater works and to see your kingdom established in our community and the works of darkness destroyed.
Amen.
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