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Prayers for Confirmation

3 traditional prayers for confirmation, and 4 passages from the Bible to pray with them. Choose one, read it aloud, or print it as a card to keep.

Prayers

Prayer for Those About to Be Confirmed

O God, who through the teaching of thy Son Jesus Christ didst prepare the disciples for the coming of the Comforter; Make ready, we beseech thee, the hearts and minds of thy servants who at this time are seeking to be strengthened by the gift of the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands, that, drawing near with penitent and faithful hearts, they may evermore be filled with the power of his divine indwelling; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

From the Book of Common Prayer (1928)

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Veni Creator Spiritus

Attributed to Rabanus Maurus; English by John Cosin

Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,And lighten with celestial fire.Thou the anointing Spirit art,Who dost thy sevenfold gifts impart.Thy blessed unction from aboveIs comfort, life, and fire of love.Enable with perpetual lightThe dulness of our blinded sight.Anoint and cheer our soiled faceWith the abundance of thy grace.Keep far our foes, give peace at home:Where thou art guide, no ill can come.Teach us to know the Father, Son,And thee, of both, to be but One;That, through the ages all along,This may be our endless song:Praise to thy eternal merit,Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

From the Book of Common Prayer (1928)

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Collect for Whitsunday (Pentecost)

O God, who as at this time didst teach the hearts of thy faithful people, by sending to them the light of thy Holy Spirit; Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

From the Book of Common Prayer (1928)

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Bible verses

The Day of Pentecost

1And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 2:1-4, King James Version

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Repent, and Be Baptized

38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.

Acts 2:38-39, King James Version

Another Comforter

15If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

John 14:15-17, King James Version

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They Received the Holy Ghost

14Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

Acts 8:14-17, King James Version

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Questions

Which prayer for confirmation should I start with?

Start with "Prayer for Those About to Be Confirmed" and pray it each day, with The Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4) to read alongside it.

Are these Catholic or Protestant prayers?

Both. They come from the Anglican Book of Common Prayer and the Bible. Most can be prayed by any Christian.

Can I change the words to fit my situation?

Yes. Where a prayer says "N." or "thy servant", put in the name of the person you are praying for.

Why are the prayers in old-fashioned English?

They keep the words of the older prayer books and the King James Bible, the words generations have prayed. "Thee" and "thou" are the old familiar forms of "you".