07/14/2026
A Tuesday morning prayer from Stark's prayer book:
O mighty God and dearest Father, how can I sufficiently know, praise, and magnify Thy love! Thou hast been so deeply concerned for my soul, lest it should perish. Oh, what glory hast Thou imparted to me in Holy Baptism by adopting me as Thy child! Men greatly boast the happiness which they derive from their noble birth, from the fact that they have risen to exalted positions of honor, from their great wealth and their pretentious pos-sessions. Behold, I esteem the happiness which I enjoy in being Thy child much more highly. For, if we are children, we are also heirs, heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer I am still in this world and dwell among the children of men.
Keep me from sinning and doing evil with the children of the world, and from conforming to their ways. If I see any one doing evil, if I hear evil spoken, put me in mind that I am a child of God, and that such sins and vices are not becoming to me. Grant me the strength to say cheerfully: Worldlings, know that my birthright and heavenly heritage with God shall not be bartered for your pleasures, vanities, and customs!
O my Jesus, Thou knowest that I love Thee, and that I am sincerely grieved when I do not at all times and in very deed love Thee as I should and desire to do. Oh, be pleased to accept at least my good intention; grant that I may lead a life of faith and godliness, of holi-ness, purity, and childlike humility. Let me love, honor, fear, and follow Thee, that I may live and die as Thy child, and as Thy child may attain to heavenly joys.pleased to accept at least my good intention; that I may lead a life of faith and godliness, of ness, purity, and childlike humility. Let me honor, fear, and follow Thee, that I may liv die as Thy child, and as Thy child may att heavenly Joys. In Holy Baptism long ago I joined me to the livin Thou lovest me in Him, I know, In Him Thou dost ae Thine. My God, for Jesus' sake I pray Thy peace may dying day. Amen.
Daily Renewal of the Baptismal Covenant.
Baptized into Thy name most holy,
O Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,a
I claim a place, though weak and lowly,
Among Thy seed, Thy chosen host.
Buried with Christ and dead to sin,b
Thy Spirit now shall live within.
My loving Father, Thou dost take me
To be henceforth Thy child and heir;
My faithful Savior, Thou dost make mec
The fruit of all Thy sorrows share;d
Thou, Holy Ghost, wilt comfort me
When darkest clouds around I see.
And I have vowed to fear and love Thee
And to obey Thee, Lord, alone;
Because the Holy Ghost did move me,
I dared to pledge myself Thine own,
Renouncing sin to keep the faith
And war with evil unto death.
My faithful God, Thou failest never,
Thy cov’nant surely will abide;e
O cast me not away forever
Should I transgress it on my side!
Though I have oft my soul defiled,
Do Thou forgive, restore, Thy child.
Yea, all I am and love most dearly
I offer now, O Lord, to Thee.
O let me make my vows sincerely
And help me Thine own child to be!
Let naught within me, naught I own,
Serve any will but Thine alone.
Depart, depart, thou prince of darkness!
No more by thee I’ll be enticed.
Here is indeed a tarnished conscience,
But sprinkled with the blood of Christ.
Away, vain world! O sin, away!
Lo! I renounce you all this day.
And never let my purpose falter,
O Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
But keep me faithful to Thine altar
Till Thou shalt call me from my post.
So unto Thee I live and dief
And praise Thee evermore on high.
