Praying the Baptismal Covenant

It is time for our New Year’s resolutions. Lists are made. Promises are professed. We vow to lose weight and we really do mean it this time. We swear to exercise regularly and we have the new athletic shoes to prove it. We fill our fridges with nutritious foods determined to begin a healthier lifestyle—again. We will stop smoking—for good. Sound familiar?

Near the end of the year, I attended a continuing legal education offering entitled, "6th Annual Professionalism, Civility and Courtesy Seminar." Attendees lamented the growing lack of civility in law in particular and in society in general. I sat there and thought how there would be no need for Professional Rules of Conduct for the legal profession or like rules for other professions, if we would all simply live out our Baptismal Covenant vows. This notion took up residency in my mind and heart and has carried over into the New Year. So - let’s do something different this year. Let’s make The Baptismal Covenant our New Year’s resolution—and more—let’s make it our daily prayer.

What if each and every one of us prayed (not just read) but really prayed The Baptismal Covenant every day of 2012? How might that change us? How might that change the way we think, act, interact and pray? How might it change us individually? How might it change us as the household of God known as Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal Church? How might it change our relationship with each other, others, ourselves and God? Imagine it being our blueprint for daily living and the guiding wisdom as the vestry and other committees make decisions. Imagine the words becoming intimately familiar—as well known as The Lord’s Prayer—not merely recited or memorized but instead imprinted upon our hearts.

The Baptismal Covenant is found on page 304 of The Book of Common Prayer. I invite us to specifically pray with intention upon the series of questions posed:

• Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?

• Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?

• Will you proclaim by word and example the GoodNews of God in Christ?

• Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?

• Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?

Just dwell in the possibilities if we all undertook this daily prayer. It could, no; I am confident that it will lead us into becoming transformed individuals and a transformed community—more prayerful, loving, giving and forgiving—better able to discern God’s call for us and to give voice to the cries of our hearts. Are you willing to try? I will, with God’s help.