The prayer
Written prayerDear Lord, you have grafted us into your vine. We are the branches that receive nourishment from your life. Through the symbolic death of baptism we identify with your death and resurrection. As we are submerged under the water it is symbolic of your death that paid for my sins and washed them all away. When I am raised up out of the waters of baptism, I am raised into the resurrection life of Christ. The old sinful nature I was born into through Adam is crucified with Christ. When I remember the suffering of the cross that put you on that cross I repent of my sin nature and put every sinful temperament, my harsh words, and every selfish deed under the blood of Jesus. I receive your cleansing and mortify my flesh as you did for me. Love constrained you to that cross and I pray that my love for you will constrain me from sinning for I never want to put you on that cross again. You said if I love you I would keep your commandments. I love you lord, give me the strength to keep your commandments. Teach me how to love as purely and completely as you do. In Jesus name, amen.
