Permission Prayer

The Surrender Prayer, written by Fr. Bob Bedard

Father, I pray a special blessing from you now as I make this commitment that I believe your blessed, divine Son, Jesus is calling me to make. Come Holy Spirit; assist me now as I pray.

Father, I worship you as my Creator, Maker of all things, God of heaven and earth, and I want to give you all the praise and honour you expect from me. 

My Lord Jesus, I want to follow your call. You have accomplished my salvation and that of all the world by your death on the cross and your rising from the grave. You have won new life for us all. When I was baptized as an infant, the Church prayed that newness of life for me. I now affirm my Baptism. I accept that salvation. I say "yes" to what you are calling me to. And I desire to experience that new life.

You call us to repent of our sins. I want to do that now. I confess my sinfulness before you (pause and silently specify). I accept the forgiveness you have already won for me. You call us to forgive all those who have sinned against us. I now forgive anyone who has ever offended me (pause and silently specify). It was love for us that drove you to give up your life. Had I been the only one ever to respond, you would have done it just for me. I accept your love. I want you to be the Lord of my life in every way. I give you my understanding, my will, my spirit, my physical being, my possessions, my desires, my plans. I want to surrender to you completely. I choose you as my Lord and Saviour. Help me to know you not only as Master, Redeemer, and King, but also as a friend.

I give you my cares, my worries, my fears, my hang-ups, all my difficulties, and I ask you to set me free.

Father, when I received the Sacrament of Confirmation, the Church prayed that I would be filled with your Holy Spirit. I now ratify my Confirmation. I ask you, through Jesus, your Son, to fill me completely with your Spirit. Release the power of your Spirit within me. Give me all that you want me to have; that clearness of faith, a deepening desire to pray and to experience your presence, an awareness of the word you speak to us through the Scriptures, an enthusiasm in celebrating the Eucharist and in public worship, wisdom and sensitivity in witnessing to my faith to others. I desire to experience your direction in my life as I seek your plan. I accept whatever gifts you wish to give me through your Holy Spirit so that I might serve all those you lead me to serve.

Father, your Son, Jesus, said that if we asked you anything in his name, you would grant it. He also said that you never refuse your Holy Spirit to those who ask. I claim those promises now and thank you, for you are answering my prayer right now even as I ask.

May all glory, all praise be to you, everlasting Father, all worship and homage, all honour and blessing, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, reigning with you, one God, now and forever. Amen.