Prayer on a Birthday

My Lord and my God, in Thee I live, move and have my being in life or death. “I will praise Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” Thou wast my stay when I was 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, being yet imperfect; and in Thy book all my members were written which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.”

Today I recall the day of my birth, which is the beginning not only of temporal, but also of spiritual life, inasmuch as I was soon brought to Holy Baptism, where I was reconciled to God, cleansed of my sin by the washing of regeneration, and received the Holy Ghost. For this I earnestly thank and praise Thee. This day reminds me, to Thy praise, God, my Creator, that I was not only born into this world, but that Thou hast brought me to a place where Thy name is truly known and Thy holy word taught in all purity, by means of which I was through Thee brought to true faith. I also thank Thee, Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits Thou hast showered upon me as to body and soul, from the day of my birth up to this present hour. Thou hast nourished and kept me; Thou hast protected my life in manifold ways by Thy holy angels, who always see the face of the Father in heaven, and hast daily provided me in rich measure with food and clothing. Moreover, through Thy word Thou hast conveyed to me spiritual and imperishable gifts; in Holy Baptism, the washing of regeneration, Thou hast given me the assurance that I am a new creature and a first-fruit of Jesus Christ, granting me forgiveness of sin, the Holy Spirit and eternal life for an inheritance. And though ofttimes, from weakness of the flesh or perversity of mind, I have forsaken my God, ignored His commandments, and have, by many gross sins transgressed more than seventy times seven against God in heaven and my neighbor on earth, Thou didst not enter into judgment with me, nor visit me with sudden, well-deserved punishment. O God, Holy Spirit, how shamefully I have spent my life, how seriously I faltered, yea committed grievous sins many a time. But Thou, O God, Holy Ghost, hast sought me, the lost sheep, so often, and led me back into the right path; Thou hast sanctified, comforted, governed, and kept me in my calling: Thou hast stayed the devil and warded off innumerable dangers of body and soul – dangers that long ago would have caused my ruin, if Thou hadst not stood by me. O Holy Trinity, I pray Thee to grant a happy birth, forgiveness of sins and eternal life to all that are to see the light of day. Let not this anniversary of my birth, I pray Thee, or any of my future days, be marred by mortal sin, I ever being of my sinful extraction and depravity. Preserve me in health and life, until I reach the appointed goal. Grant patience in sufferings and trials. Comfort me in every misfortune and distress. Daily grant, I beseech Thee, forgiveness of my sins, as well as steadfastness unto my soul’s salvation, that I may serve Thee unto the end in true, saving faith and a good conscience. Amen.