Advent Prayers
The celebration of the Christian season of Advent has two aspects to it. The first is one of personal anticipation and preparation in being ready to celebrate the coming of the Messiah Jesus in a manger in Bethlehem. The second element is the expectation and longing for Christ to come again - this time in great power and glory, and for our hearts and lives to be equally ready for this great event.
The festival of Advent is celebrated in the Western Christian churches over four weeks running up to Christmas, beginning on the forth Sunday before December 25th. This page features several inspiring prayers for children and families whilst using Advent candles or wreaths and in church services or school assemblies.
The festival of Advent is celebrated in the Western Christian churches over four weeks running up to Christmas, beginning on the forth Sunday before December 25th. This page features several inspiring prayers for children and families whilst using Advent candles or wreaths and in church services or school assemblies.
resources on this page
advent prayers for children
traditional prayers for adults
a modern advent prayer
popular bible reading
traditional prayers for adults
a modern advent prayer
popular bible reading
A Prayer for Advent
A meditation asking God to prepare us for the coming Christ. This prayer both reflects back to Christ's coming as a baby and forwards to His glorious return:-
At this Christmas when Christ comes, will He find a warm heart? Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving the others with God's own love and concern.
"Love: A Fruit Always in Season" (Mother Teresa)
Traditional Prayers for Advent
a series of Episcopal prayers for the weeks leading up to Christmas Day:-
First Sunday of Advent
Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness,
and put upon us the armor of light,
now in the time of this mortal life in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility;
that in the last day,
when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick and the dead,
we may rise to the life immortal;
through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness,
and put upon us the armor of light,
now in the time of this mortal life in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility;
that in the last day,
when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick and the dead,
we may rise to the life immortal;
through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
Second Sunday of Advent
Merciful God, who sent thy messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation:
Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins,
that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer;
who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy
Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
Merciful God, who sent thy messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation:
Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins,
that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer;
who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy
Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
Third Sunday of Advent
Stir up thy power, O Lord, and with great might come among us;
and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins,
let thy bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom,
with thee and the Holy Ghost,
be honor and glory,
world without end.
Amen.
Stir up thy power, O Lord, and with great might come among us;
and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins,
let thy bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom,
with thee and the Holy Ghost,
be honor and glory,
world without end.
Amen.
Forth Sunday of Advent
We beseech thee, Almighty God,
to purify our consciences by thy daily visitation, that when thy Son our Lord cometh he may find in us a mansion prepared for himself;
through the same Jesus Christ our Lord,
who liveth and reigneth with thee,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
We beseech thee, Almighty God,
to purify our consciences by thy daily visitation, that when thy Son our Lord cometh he may find in us a mansion prepared for himself;
through the same Jesus Christ our Lord,
who liveth and reigneth with thee,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
Christmas Day
O God, who makest us glad with the yearly remembrance of the birth of thy only Son Jesus Christ:
Grant that as we joyfully receive him for our Redeemer,
so we may with sure confidence behold him when he shall come to be our Judge;
who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost,
one God, world without end.
Amen.
O God, who makest us glad with the yearly remembrance of the birth of thy only Son Jesus Christ:
Grant that as we joyfully receive him for our Redeemer,
so we may with sure confidence behold him when he shall come to be our Judge;
who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost,
one God, world without end.
Amen.
(Source: 1979 Book of Common Prayer, Protestant Episcopal Church in the USA)
Modern Advent Prayer
Father in this season of Advent we prepare our hearts for your coming.
You are the vine, we are the branches.
Come and tend us, prune us, clean us.
Discard in us everything that does not bear fruit,
Nourish in us everything that bears much fruit.
As we celebrate your coming as a vulnerable baby
Our hearts await your glorious return as the eternal King.
Nurture in us expectant hearts, O Lord.
Cultivate in us a deep longing for more of you.
Until that Day when you burst through the heavens,
And flood our horizons with your glorious splendour.
For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory,
throughout all ages and generations.
Amen.
(a prayer for advent from www.lords-prayer.words.com)
Advent Prayers for Children
The following five prayers are suitable for children to say for the five candles in the advent wreath. A prayer can be said each week as the candles are lit in services leading up to Christmas day:-
First Sunday of Advent
Jesus, you are light even in the darkest places.
Help us to trust in you when we are lost or lonely.
Shine hope into our hearts we pray.
Amen.
Jesus, you are light even in the darkest places.
Help us to trust in you when we are lost or lonely.
Shine hope into our hearts we pray.
Amen.
Second Sunday of Advent
Jesus, you are peace even when there is hatred.
Help us to forgive like you when we are hurt or wounded.
Bring peace into our hearts we pray.
Amen.
Jesus, you are peace even when there is hatred.
Help us to forgive like you when we are hurt or wounded.
Bring peace into our hearts we pray.
Amen.
Third Sunday of Advent
Jesus, you are joy even in the saddest times.
Help us to praise you when we are upset or grieving.
Shine joy into our hearts we pray.
Amen.
Jesus, you are joy even in the saddest times.
Help us to praise you when we are upset or grieving.
Shine joy into our hearts we pray.
Amen.
Forth Sunday of Advent
Jesus, you are with us even when we are afraid.
Help us to pray to you when we are scared or fearful.
Bring love into our hearts we pray.
Amen.
Jesus, you are with us even when we are afraid.
Help us to pray to you when we are scared or fearful.
Bring love into our hearts we pray.
Amen.
Christmas Day
Jesus, you came to be light in our darkness.
Jesus, you came to be peace in our conflicts.
Jesus, you came to be joy in our sadness,
And to bring your love in our fears.
Today we celebrate your birth.
Thank you for your saving grace.
Amen.
Jesus, you came to be light in our darkness.
Jesus, you came to be peace in our conflicts.
Jesus, you came to be joy in our sadness,
And to bring your love in our fears.
Today we celebrate your birth.
Thank you for your saving grace.
Amen.
(childrens prayers for advent from www.lords-prayer.words.com)
Christmas Day Prayer
Advent Bible Reading
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.
Isaiah 9:6-7, (NIV)
Short Christmas Meditation
A prayer entitled "Love Came", reflecting on the remarkable events that surround the birth of Christ:-
More prayers for church calendar events...
here are links to some wonderfully inspired prayers to aid your journey