It was a great joy last week to baptise the adopted baby son of some friends of ours. I suggested to the family that as well as baptising him, we pray for God's blessing on them as a family unit. Having searched in vain for a family blessing for an adoptive family, I came up with my own. Those familiar with Patricks Breastplate and the CofE Marriage service will recognise some of it.
We stood with the family in the centre of the church, and everyone facing in towards them, the congregation joined in the first and last paragraphs. Thought I'd post it in case anyone else would find it useful.
Family Blessing
Christ be with you, Christ within you
Christ before you Christ behind you
Christ on your right
Christ on your left
Christ above you, Christ beneath you
Christ around you, now and for ever.
Blessed are you Lord our God for you have created joy and gladness, pleasure and delight, love peace and fellowship.
Pour out the abundance of your blessing upon n......... in their new life together. Bless them at work and at play, awake and asleep, in joy and in sorrow, in laughter and tears.
May they love one another, encourage one another, defend one another, bless one another. May their home be a place where n.............. can grow in love, character and goodness, in mind body and spirit.
Heavenly Father, from whom every family on earth receives its name, who has adopted us into your holy family through your Son Jesus, bless and watch over this family, that they might know day by day that they belong to one another, and that they belong to you. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
