1

The minister reads these words of INTRODUCTION:

Our church requires that all who come to confirmation should know and understand the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments, and be able to answer the other questions in the catechism.

When they come of age those baptized as infants may openly take upon themselves and confirm, before the people of God, the promises made in their name by their godparents. They should seek the help and grace of God to enable them to remain faithful to their profession of faith. This we urge those who come now to confirmation to do, praying that they would know the Holy Spirit as their strength and guide as they serve the Lord Jesus Christ.

2

The bishop asks those who have come to confirmation:

Let us pray that God will strengthen with his Holy Spirit these persons who now confirm their commitment to those promises made at their baptism and that they will serve Christ the Lord faithfully all their days.

All

Bishop

All

Bishop

All

Our help is in the name of the Lord,
who has made heaven and earth.
Blessed be the name of the Lord
now and for evermore.
Lord, hear our prayer,
and let our cry come to you.

3

The bishop continues in prayer:

Almighty and everliving God,
by whose grace these your servants
have been born again of water and the Spirit
and have received forgiveness of all their sins:
strengthen them with the Holy Spirit the Comforter;
daily increase in them your gifts of grace;
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of guidance and strength,
the spirit of knowledge and true godliness,
and fill them, O Lord, with the spirit of your holy fear,
both now and for ever. Amen.

4

Those who have come to confirmation kneel before the bishop. He lays his hand upon the head of each and prays:

Defend, O Lord, your servant N
with your heavenly grace,
that he may continue yours for ever;
and daily increase in your Holy Spirit
until he comes to your eternal kingdom. Amen.

5

Then the bishop says:

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Bishop

The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.
Let us pray.

6

THE LORD'S PRAYER:

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.
Give us this day
our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today
our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those
who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For yours is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
now and for ever. Amen.

7

The bishop continues in prayer:

Almighty and everliving God,
you teach us both to intend and to do those things
that are good and acceptable in your sight.
We humbly pray for these your servants
upon whom we have laid our hands,
following the example of your holy apostles.
Reassure them of your favour and goodness;
let your fatherly hand always be over them;
may your Holy Spirit be ever with them;
lead them into all truth;
and teach them to obey your Word
so that in the end they obtain eternal life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

8

Almighty and everlasting God,
be pleased, we pray,
to direct, sanctify,
and govern our hearts and bodies
so that we will keep your laws                                               and obey your commands;
and grant that through your mighty protection
we may be preserved in body and soul,
both here and for ever,
through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

9

The bishop prays for those who have come to confirmation:

The blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you, and remain with you for ever. Amen.

No persons shall be admitted to the Holy Communion until they have been confirmed, or have been prepared for confirmation and wish to be confirmed.