Prayers For Advent Worship

Christian prayer takes its inspiration from the Bible. The following prayers for the Advent season are based on images found in Scripture. Brief commentaries follow each prayer, directing worship planners to Scripture passages that can be used in conjunction with each prayer.

Prayers for the Opening of Worship Lord God, we hunger and thirst after many things. Come and create a deep longing within us that we might delight to be in your presence. Sound the alarm within our soul that we might wake from our spiritual drowsiness and watch and wait for Christ's coming. This we pray in Jesus' wonderful name. Amen! Commentary: The imagery for this prayer is drawn from the first stanza of the Advent hymn "O Lord How Shall I Meet You?" which, in turn, is based on Psalm 63:1. The additional theme of watching and waiting refers to Matthew 25:1–13. Redeemer God, come, as we seek to open our hearts, creating a welcome space for you to abide. Startle us from our sloth and rescue us from that which distracts us from knowing your grace and love. Inspire our preparation and guide our worship that our Advent waiting might lead us to Bethlehem's manger. In Jesus' name. Amen! Commentary: The third stanza of the hymn "Lift Up Your Hearts" paints the picture of the worshipers inviting God to draw near and dwell within their hearts. The desire is to feel in a very profound sense the living presence of God's grace and love. This echoes the request from the apostle Paul's prayer in Ephesians 3:17. Gracious and Ever Faithful God, over the centuries your people have prayed Maranatha. Come, Lord Jesus! Come! As we begin [or continue] our journey through this Advent season be among us with your guiding Spirit. Open our eyes that we might see, open our ears that we might hear, and open our hearts that we might truly worship in spirit and truth your Son who is coming again. In anticipation we pray this in Jesus' mighty name. Amen! Commentary: The scriptural prayer Maranatha of 1 Corinthians 16:22b forms the foundation for this prayer. This is only one example how the prayers or words of Scripture can be used to give shape to our prayers today. Prayers of Confession CONFESSION Merciful God, we are grateful for the promise of your forgiveness. We desparately need it! So many things have crowded thoughts of you out of our minds this past week. We have been so busy shopping, cooking, decorating, mailing, and entertaining that at times we have forgotten your nearness. Sadly we confess that our anxieties have been more real to us than your peace. While not our intention, we have had a tendency to focus more on our wants than on our worship of you. The prospects of exchanging gifts with our family and friends create more excitement within us than welcoming the priceless Gift of your Son. Lord, we know these practices must grieve your loving heart, for when we pause long enough to catch our breath, we realize something is missing. Forgive us, cleanse us, restore us, strengthen us—not because our faith is so great or our prayers so fervent, but because you love us so radically. [The prayer may include a period of silence for personal confession or reflection on the individual's relationship with God.] In Jesus' amazing name. Amen! ASSURANCE Leader: (reads John 3:16) People: (read Matthew 1:21) All: (read Romans 8:1) Commentary: The disturbing truth that there was no room for Jesus in the overcrowded inn (Luke 2:7) which was mirrored by Martha's hyperactive efforts to entertain Christ (Luke 10:38–42) remind us how powerful distractions can be even when Christ is before us. The words of assurance could be printed in the bulletin responsively as noted above or pronounced only by the worship leader. It is crucial, however, to sound clearly the word of grace that God is always ready to forgive and restore us. CONFESSION Almighty God of the prophets, you have called us to glorify your name through our love for you and for one another. We confess that our praise is more on our lips than with our lives. We profess repentance while we resist change; We talk of peace while we prepare for war; We sing of love but we curse our enemies; We pray your will be done but insist on our way. Have mercy upon us, tender God, and cleanse and forgive our selfish ways. May Jesus Christ, who came long ago, come once more into our lives. Help us to be at peace with you, ourselves, and one another as members of your kingdom, which now is at hand. [Opportunity for silent confession.] Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen! Commentary: The fourth stanza of "O Come, O Come, Immanuel" (O come, O Branch of Jesse's stem / Unto your own and rescue them!) could be inserted between the above prayer and the words of assurance. Please note: It is wise to always use the actual words of Scripture to pronounce God's pardon rather than those of a hymn or poem. This captures more faithfully and firsthand God's good news of forgiveness to us. ASSURANCE This prayer should be followed by words of assurance, as follows: Leader: (reads Romans 5:8) People: (read Romans 5:11) All: (read Romans 5:1) Commentary: This prayer is based on Jesus' summary of the Law of God (Matt. 22:37–39) that we are to love God and one another. It further echoes the realistic struggle that Paul confesses regarding his own inconsistency of faithfully living out the faith (Rom. 7:14–25). CONFESSION Almighty and Gracious God, as we journey through this season of Advent, we are confronted once again with the good news of Christ's coming. We pause amidst all our words and singing to be quiet before you. (The worship leader then directs the congregation with a suggested example, e.g.): Dear people of God, use this silence to reflect upon and review your relationship with God. Perhaps today you sense God very closely. If so, celebrate and praise God for this friendship. Or perhaps today you realize that you are quite distant from God. If so, consider with the Holy Spirit's help what has caused this separation and what steps you can take to renew your communion with God. Then again some of us today may be confused and not have any idea where we are with God. If so, invite God to enlighten you and help you know how much God truly delights in you. [Silent reflection.] ASSURANCE To be followed by words of assurance: 1 John 1:9 and 1 Timothy 1:15 (spoken in unison). Commentary: A disadvantage of any spoken prayer of confession is that people are forced to confess that for which they may not have any involvement. Surveys have discovered that worshipers find silent opportunities for confession to be most meaningful for realizing God's presence and considering their relationship with God. A Prayer for the Illumination of God's Word Creator God, you remind us that the darkness of ignorance and doubt cannot overcome your life-giving Word. May your Holy Spirit, who first inspired these words of Scripture, shine your light and once again awaken us to the hearing and living of this radiant truth. In Jesus' name. Amen! Commentary: The opening words of John's Gospel (vv. 1–5) provide the imagery of light, darkness, and the supremacy of the eternal Word, Jesus Christ. Offertory Prayers Most High God, we marvel at the willingness of Mary to offer herself so completely to you. Yet in truth we realize that you ask the same of each of us. Refresh our memories with the abundance of our blessings so that we too might say with glad and generous hearts, "Lord, we are your servants, may we gratefully respond as you invite us to give." Accept the gifts we humbly present to you that your Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ, might be glorified. Amen! Commentary: Mary's surrendering act of dedication from Luke 1:38 patterns this prayer. Further, the imagery of God as being Most High comes from Luke 1:32. Lord God, you loved us so fully that you gave your only Son, Jesus, to be born and live among us. As we offer our gifts and expressions of love to you, guide us not only in the presentation of these resources, but inspire us as well in the proper use of all that we possess. During these days of Advent waiting, may we dedicate ourselves to rightly celebrate and share Christ's life and love with others. In Jesus' name. Amen! Commentary: The intertwining imagery of God's gift of Christ and our giving is built around John 3:16 and the stewardship principles of 1 Corinthians 9:6–15. Pastoral or Intercessory Prayers Almighty and Everlasting God, we praise and bless your holy name. Our hearts are filled with gratitude because you did not allow us to suffocate in our sins but provided the way of redemption through your Son, Jesus Christ. You are ever faithful, remembering your covenant promises made first to our father in the faith, Abraham, and then renewed through David. All these prophecies, which people longed for, have come to fulfillment in Jesus. For all these expressions of your tender mercy we are thankful and praise you. [The leader may wish to pause and provide a period of silence for the worshipper to offer God additional words of praise.] Grant us, loving Lord, your guidance so that we might walk before you. May we follow the way proclaimed by John the Baptist when he shattered the centuries of silence in declaring, "Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him." Since we know your salvation and have tasted the forgiveness of our sins, may we be your representatives of mercy to others in need. Grant your sustaining Spirit to those who face times of trouble and doubt. Be near to those who are weak in health or mind or for those who await the slowness of the healing process to restore them. For those amongst us who have faced the darkness of separation, defeat, or loss of a loved one, surround and walk with them, awakening them to your tender presence amidst their sorrow and pain. Encourage those who challenge the injustices of our day as they seek to confront and dismantle those systems and structures of evil that imprison the poor, homeless, the disadvantaged, the young, the old. Gracious Lord, as we gather today we realize there are many other concerns that weigh down our soul. We pause now in this silence to bring any further prayers before you or to simply quiet our soul and listen to you speak to us. Reveal yourself afresh to us that we might be your people. Create in us open hearts so that we might grow in spirit and truth, and thereby prepare us for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. In his name we pray. Amen! Commentary: The groundwork for this prayer is Zechariah's song (Luke 1:68–79). Verses 69–75 provide a model for praise and thanksgiving while verses 76–79 offer a pattern for petition. Once again we see how Scripture furnishes us with a rich collection of imagery and examples of prayer and how we can pray. Eternal Lord and God, we are grateful that you have called us to be your children and friends. While in times past we have stumbled in the darkness, you have kindled and set ablaze the glorious light of Jesus Christ. We thank you that Christ, who came once, is always coming again so we need not fear that we have missed him. Lord, grant us the proper spiritual vision that we too with the prophet Isaiah might stand on the tip of our toes and know this Christ who comes to us. Gracious God, we thank you that Christ is our Wonderful Counselor. Life is filled with both decisions and temptations. Provide us with your wisdom and discerning spirit so we might choose well to live well. Grant your special guidance on us as a congregation as we seek your direction in being your representatives in this community. Gracious God, we thank you that Christ is our Mighty God. Many within our world are consumed by power, and sadly many are harmed by the selfish and misguided use and abuse of power. But the power of Christ is gentle yet strong. Release this mighty strength through your Spirit so we might live faithful lives for Christ. Overcome the resistance in our lives that Christ might deeply dwell within our lives. Grant us the courage this week to be bold and yet tender as we seek to encourage those who are struggling. Gracious God, we thank you that Christ is our Everlasting Father. In a world where many hunger for meaning and purpose, we can rejoice that we belong to you. We are not nameless creatures but people bearing your very name. In your fatherly love, we ask that you would be near to those who face the surgery this week …. Remember your promises to those who are lonely or widowed or separated by whatever causes. Grant us the wholeness of Christ that we might care for our souls as well as our bodies. Gracious God, we thank you that Christ is our Prince of Peace. While tension, conflict, and crime seem to rule our streets and as broken relationships are all too common in many of our families, we know this is not your purpose. Only Christ can adequately heal and restore that which is twisted and torn. Lord, may each of us be receptive to receive Christ's peace and seek your courage to ask forgiveness of those we have wronged or hurt. We remember those places of tension around our land and throughout our world ….Grant us the resources that we might be your faithful peacemakers to participate through prayer and action in expanding your kingdom. Gracious God, we are bold to lift these prayers to you because you have called us to come before the throne of Christ's amazing grace. Help us and hear us as we pray with expectation in Jesus' name. Amen! Commentary: The powerful words of Isaiah's prophecy (Isa. 9:2, 6) have created the pattern and development of this prayer. Once again this sample illustrates how Scripture can model and inspire us in our own prayers.