Commontide

For Guidance

O God, by whom the meek are guided in judgment, and light rises up in darkness for the godly: Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what you would have us do, that the Spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices; that in your light we may see light, and in your straight path we may not stumble; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Commontide
Prayer
Baptism & Confirmation

Defend, O Lord

Confirmation — said by the Bishop laying hands on each Confirmand

Defend, O Lord, this your servant N. with your heavenly grace, that he may continue yours for ever, and daily increase in your Holy Spirit more and more until he comes into the fullness of your everlasting kingdom. Amen.

Found in the Prayer Book

  • Confirmation

Provenance

Cranmer 1549

Draft — AI-assisted research under editorial review.

The oldest verbal formula in the Anglican confirmation rite, spoken by the bishop over each candidate since 1549. Thomas Cranmer composed it for the first Book of Common Prayer, and it has passed through every English-language prayer book since.