Commontide

Preparation for Personal Prayer

Holy Spirit, breath of God and fire of love, I cannot pray without your aid: Kindle in me the fire of your love, and illumine me with your light; that with a steadfast will and holy thoughts I may approach the Father in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who reigns with you and the Father in eternal union. Amen.

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Commontide
Blessing
Prayers

Thanksgiving for the Birth or Adoption of a Child

The blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.

Benedicat vos omnipotens Deus, Pater, et Filius, et Spiritus Sanctus.

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Original-language source · public domain

Found in the Prayer Book

  • Thanksgiving Birth AdoptionThanksgiving for the Birth or Adoption of a Child

Provenance

Cranmer 1549

Draft — AI-assisted research under editorial review.

One of the oldest formulas in continuous Anglican use, this benediction has closed prayer book services since Cranmer's 1549 Communion. The ACNA 2019 Prayer Book gives it a new home: a priest may speak it over a family welcoming a new child.