17. Daily Renewal of the Baptismal Covenant — 18. Prayer on a Birthday.

I hereby renew the covenant of my holy baptism, and renounce, both now and forever, the devil and all his works and all his ways, and this ungodly and wicked world, together with my own sinful flesh and blood. Into Thy hands, O Father, Son and Holy Ghost, I commend my body and soul. Into Thy care I commend my temporal, spiritual and eternal welfare, and the welfare of those dear and near to me. I commit myself entirely into Thy care, mercy, love and faithfulness, O Thou my Father! I clothe myself with Thy merits, with Thy precious blood and wounds and Thy blessed communion, O Lord Jesus, my Redeemer! I commend myself entirely to Thy merciful guidance, to Thy power, light and comfort, O Holy Spirit, most blessed Comforter! O Triune God! Thou art mine, I am Thine; Thou art my Father, I am Thy child; Thou art my shepherd, I am Thy lamb; Thou art my Lord, I am Thine own. O my God! How can I sufficiently thank Thee! Thou hast regarded me very highly and hast bestowed upon me, a poor sinful being, salvation in Jesus Christ, through the blessed regeneration in the sacrament of Holy Baptism. O do Thou preserve me in this Thy Grace unto death. Grant, my God, that this my salvation may be my comfort at all times against satan, sin and death, and that I may value it more highly than all worldly honor and earthly fame, and diligently endeavor to lead a holy and godly life in accordance with it until a happy death in Christ Jesus. Do Thou, in mercy, grant this my prayer, O my Father, for the sake of Thy dear Son Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. For all which, all honor, praise and thanksgiving be unto Thee, the Triune God, forevermore. Amen.

My Lord and my God, in Thee I live, and move, and have my being, Thou art my stay in life and in death. I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made, marvelous are Thy works, and that my soul knoweth right well. Thou hast covered me in my mother's womb; my substance was not hid from Thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being imperfect, and in Thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. To-day I will call to my mind the day of my birth which is the beginning both of my temporal and spiritual life, when I was brought unto Holy Baptism, and became reconciled unto my God, and was cleansed by the Water in connection with the Word, when my sins were taken away and the Holy Ghost bestowed upon me; for all which I thank and praise Thee. I praise Thee, O God, my Creator! that on this day Thou hast brought me forth from my mother's womb, although in pain and sorrow. I thank Thee, that Thou hast brought me to a place where Thy name is rightfully known, Thy holy Word taught in all purity, and that I am thus enabled, under Thy guidance, to come unto the true and living faith. I thank Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ! for all the blessings, with which Thou in loving-kindness often hast remembered my body and soul, from the hour of my birth until the present time, inasmuch as Thou didst not only nourish and preserve my body, and in various ways protect my temporal life through Thy holy angels, who always behold the face of the Father in heaven, and daily provide me with abundant food and raiment, but, above all things, Thou hast bestowed upon me through Thy Word, spiritual and imperishable gifts, and hast assured me in Holy Baptism, the bath of Regeneration, that I have been made a new creature and have become the first-fruit of Christ Jesus; Thou hast pardoned all my sins, and hast blessed me with the gift of the Holy Ghost and made me heir of eternal Life; and though I have often, through the weakness of my flesh, or wantonly, forsaken my God and forgotten His commandments, and have even more than seventy times seven committed fearful sins against God in Heaven and my fellow-men on earth, yet didst Thou not, O Lord Jesus! enter into judgment with Thy servant, and visit him with immediate and well-deserved punishment. O God, Holy Spirit! what a shameful life have I thus far led! How often, and on how many occasions have I stumbled in my Christian walk, and have become guilty of great and atrocious sins! But Thou, O God, Holy Ghost! hast just as often sought the lost sheep, and hast brought me again upon the path of rectitude, and hast sanctified, comforted and guided me. Thou hast preserved me in my station, and hast restrained the devil and averted a host of bodily and spiritual dangers in which I should have perished long ago, if Thou hadst not stood by me. O blessed Trinity! There is a time to be born; do Thou graciously help all fruit of the womb and grant, a joyful birthday, forgiveness of sins and life eternal. Grant that I may to-day spend my birthday, as also all future days of my life, without committing mortal sins, and that I may become conscious of my humble birth and wretchedness by nature. Do Thou bestow upon me the blessings of health and life until the goal is reached. Grant me patience to endure all afflictions and sufferings. Comfort me in all misfortunes and distress. Forgive me daily my sins and grant that I may thus continue firm unto my soul's salvation, and that I may, in the true and saving faith and with a good conscience, serve Thee even unto the end, through Jesus Christ. Amen.