LBW 503, “O Jesus, I Have Promised”
Devotion
The hymn “O Jesus, I Have Promised,” is often used for the confirmation (“Affirmation of Baptism”) service. The confirmand is asked, “Do you intend to continue in the covenant God made with you in holy baptism?” Keeping that promise is possible only because, as the hymn says, Jesus has promised his servants will be “where [Jesus is] in glory.” So we pray, “Give us grace to follow, my master and my friend.”
The practice of confirming people in their baptismal covenant is a pastoral care program, intended to build the ultimate relationship: that with the Triune God. Jesus is the mediator. It is the privilege and the responsibility of the whole congregation to lift up the names of the confirmands weekly in prayer. In this, the congregation joins the confirmand in saying, “O Jesus, we have promised.”
Prayer
Lord Jesus, keep those who have been given to you. Amen.