Baptism Prayer: 20 Prayers for the Child, Parents and Godparents
Table of contents
1. The prayers that shape the rite
A baptism is, from beginning to end, a sequence of prayers punctuated by gestures. The Catholic Rite of Baptism uses about 15 distinct prayers across 30 to 45 minutes; the Anglican Book of Common Prayer rite uses 12; the Orthodox liturgy uses more than 20. This guide collects the most important liturgical prayers and adds personal blessings parents and godparents can use at the reception or in a letter to the child.
2. Liturgical prayers (1-5): the rite itself
- The trinitarian formula — the central prayer that effects the sacrament.
[Name], I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
- The prayer of exorcism — prayed before the pouring.
Almighty and ever-living God, you sent your only Son into the world to cast out the power of Satan... we pray for this child: set him/her free from original sin, make him/her a temple of your glory, and send your Holy Spirit to dwell within him/her.
- The blessing of the water — recalls every biblical use of water.
O God, by the power of the Spirit you gave your Son the new life of the resurrection. Send the power of your Holy Spirit upon this water, so that all who are baptized in it may be born again of water and the Holy Spirit.
- The interrogatory creed — three trinitarian questions.
Do you believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth? I do.
- The renunciation of sin — three questions.
Do you renounce Satan? I do. And all his works? I do. And all his empty promises? I do.
3. Liturgical prayers (6-10): the explanatory rites and blessings
- Anointing with chrism — after the pouring.
As Christ was anointed Priest, Prophet, and King, so may you live always as a member of his body, sharing everlasting life.
- The white garment
[Name], you have become a new creation and have clothed yourself in Christ. Receive this white garment and bring it unstained into the everlasting life of heaven.
- The lighted candle
Receive the light of Christ. Parents and godparents, this light is entrusted to you. Keep it always burning brightly... that your child, enlightened by Christ, may walk always as a child of the light.
- The Our Father — prayed together by all.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven...
- The blessing of the mother
God the Father, through his Son, the Virgin Mary's child, has brought joy to all Christian mothers, as they see the hope of eternal life shine on their children. May he bless the mother of this child.
4. Prayers (11-13): for the parents
- A parents' prayer of dedication
Father in heaven, we thank you for the gift of our child. Today we present him/her to you and ask that you watch over every step of his/her life. Give us patience, wisdom and love so that we may raise this child to know you, love you and serve you. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
- A prayer of trust — adapted from Psalm 139.
Lord, you knit our child together in his/her mother's womb. We praise you because he/she is wonderfully made. Lead this child along the path of life, and let your hand be upon him/her every day. Amen.
- A prayer at bedtime — to be prayed by parents over the child every night.
Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God's love commits me here, ever this night be at my side, to light, to guard, to rule and guide. Amen.
5. Prayers (14-16): for the godparents
- A godparent's pledge prayer
Lord, I have been chosen to stand beside this child and his/her parents on the day of baptism. Give me the grace to be a witness of faith, a friend in trouble, and a guide along the way. May my words and example always point this child to you. Amen.
- A prayer of blessing from godparent to child
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace (Numbers 6:24-26).
- A short prayer for the godparents' daily intercession
Lord Jesus, bless [child's name] today. Wherever he/she goes, walk beside him/her. Whatever he/she chooses, light the path. Whoever he/she meets, send your peace. In your name. Amen.
6. Prayers (17-20): for the child and family
- A prayer to be read on the child's baptismal anniversary
[Name], today we remember the day God called you his own. We thank him for choosing you, washing you, and sealing you with his Spirit. May you always remember whose you are. Amen.
- A grace before the baptism meal
Bless us, O Lord, and these your gifts, which we are about to receive from your bounty. We give thanks today for [child's name], reborn in water and the Spirit. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
- A short blessing for grandparents to pray over the child
Lord God, you are the source of life from generation to generation. Bless this little one, born into our family, and bless the memories we will build together. Keep him/her safe in your love, all the days of his/her life. Amen.
- An evening prayer for the whole family — to be prayed together every Sunday.
Lord, you have called each of us by name. You called us at our baptism, and you call us again every day. Help us this week to listen, to follow, and to love one another as you love us. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
7. How to use these prayers
The first 10 prayers come directly from the Catholic Order of Baptism of Children (USCCB, 2020). They will be read by the priest during the ceremony — you do not need to memorize them, but knowing them in advance helps you respond confidently.
Prayers 11 to 20 are personal blessings. Parents and godparents can use them:
- At the family meal immediately after the baptism (grace, blessing of the child)
- In a letter sealed in the baptismal candle box, to be opened on the child's 18th birthday
- As bedtime prayers in the months following the ceremony
- On each baptismal anniversary, recited together as a family ritual
- As part of grandparents' or godparents' weekly intercession
Frequently asked questions
The trinitarian formula spoken by the priest as he pours water: "[Name], I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Canon law (Canon 850) requires these exact words for the baptism to be valid. Variations like "in the name of the Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier" are explicitly invalid.
Everyone has a role. The priest leads the liturgical prayers (blessing of water, exorcism, anointing). The parents and godparents recite the renunciations and the creed. The entire assembly joins the Our Father, the intercessions and the final blessings. Even guests of any faith are welcome to bow their heads in silent respect.
Yes, with the priest's permission. Most parishes allow a personal blessing or prayer at the reception or as part of a toast — but not interrupting the liturgical rite itself. Keep it under 2 minutes, focused on gratitude, and centered on the child and God.
Both. The blessing of water draws on Genesis (Spirit hovering over the waters), Exodus (Red Sea), Ezekiel (sprinkling clean water) and Isaiah. The trinitarian formula comes directly from Matthew 28:19. The Our Father comes from Matthew 6 and Luke 11. The early Church wove both testaments into a single ceremony.
The liturgical prayers in a Catholic baptism total about 12 to 15 minutes of speaking time across 30 to 45 minutes of ceremony (the rest is music, gestures, processions). The single longest prayer is the blessing of the water — about 2 minutes when sung, 90 seconds when spoken.
A long blessing recited or sung over the font: "O God, by the power of the Spirit you gave your Son the new life of the resurrection. Make this water holy, we pray, so that all who are baptized in it may be born again to eternal life." It recalls every biblical use of water and asks God to consecrate the font.
They participate in the renunciations of sin and the profession of faith on the child's behalf. There is no separate godparent prayer in the liturgical rite, but many godparents write a personal blessing or short letter to be opened by the child years later — a beautiful, increasingly common tradition.
Yes. After the baptism, anointing, garment and candle, everyone gathers around the altar and recites the Lord's Prayer together. This is the moment when the newly baptized — though an infant — formally begins to share in the prayer Christ taught his disciples.