Father, almighty and all-loving God,
your Son, Jesus Christ, has loved us
and has offered himself as an atonement for sin
on the altar of the cross.
We have been cleansed in the water
that flowed from his side.
By baptism
we have been buried with Christ,
so that just as Christ was raised from the dead,
we also may walk in newness of life.
Help us to put to death the evil that is still in us:
our selfishness,
our willfulness,
and our fear of surrender to you.
Free us
so that we may serve you as a living sacrifice.
Grant us this grace through our Lord Jesus Christ,
who together with you and the Holy Spirit,
lives and reigns for ever.
Amen.