Advent is a season that encourages us to pray from our bones. Its vivid stories and songs implore us to pursue, desire, and cry out for what is still not yet, still to come, still our deepest need and hope: God coming among us to redeem all creatures and to make this God-beloved world a place where all enjoy abundant life together. “Don’t hold back,” Advent seems to say, “because God is not done with this world.”

To inspire you and your communities in your prayers and worship during this season, we at Building Faith want to share eight prayers and a blessing for the days and weeks of Advent. May they help you connect more deeply with God in Advent and embrace the hope that this season proclaims. As you share the prayers and blessing, please give credit to the original sources.

Prayers

Await, Allow, Accept, Attend

“AWAIT (hands at waist, cupped up to receive): Await God’s presence, not as you expect, hope, or imagine, but just as it is in this moment.

“ALLOW (reach up, hands open, above shoulders if you can): Allow a sense of God’s presence (or not) to come and be what it is, without meeting your expectations.

“ACCEPT (hands at heart, cupped towards body): Accept as a gift whatever comes or does not come. Accept that you are not in charge. Accept the infinity of God’s presence, present whether or not you are aware.

“ATTEND (hands outstretched, ready to be responsive): Attend to what you are called to, actions that God invites you to from this stance of openness.”

From “Rest: Body Prayer” by Richard Rohr, in “Richard Rohr’s Daily Meditation,” quoted in “Await, Allow, Accept, Attend: An Advent ‘Body’ Prayer Inspired by Julian of Norwich” by Your Friends at the Episcopal Mental & Spiritual Health Crisis Ministry, Episcopal Diocese of Newark website

For Getting Ready for Jesus

“Dear God, we love you. We thank you for loving us. Help us get ready for Jesus. Help us say “yes” like Mary. We are wide awake, watching and waiting for you to come and help us to love. Amen.”

From “Advent Antiphons” by Baptized for Life / Vida En Abundancia (the linked PDF includes “A Brief Order for Daily Prayers during Advent” along with daily antiphons)

For Guidance into the Way of Peace

“Almighty God,
you sent your servant John the Baptist
to prepare the way for the coming of your Son;
grant that those who proclaim your word
may so guide our feet into the way of peace,
that we may stand with confidence before him
when he comes in his glorious kingdom;
through Jesus Christ our Judge and our Redeemer.
Amen.”

From “Collect of the Day” for the Second Sunday of Advent, Year A, in A New Zealand Prayer Book / He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa (552)

For the Lord to Come among Us

“Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.”

From “[Collect for] Third Sunday of Advent,” in The Book of Common Prayer (212)

For Those Who Live with Struggles of Illness and Pain of Loss

“God of mercy, hear our prayer in this Advent season for ourselves, and for our families and friends who live with the struggles of illness and the pain of loss. We ask for strength for today, courage for tomorrow, and peace for the past. We ask these things in the name of Christ, who shares our life in joy and sorrow, death and new birth, despair and promise. Amen.”

From “Blue Christmas: A Service of Wholeness and Healing” by Jean Givens, First Presbyterian Church, Kalamazoo, Michigan, Presbyterian Mission website (a full liturgy is available at this link)

Prayers of the People: Seeking God in the Most Unlikely Places

“We seek the mighty God
in the most unlikely places
as a child in a stable,
and in an empty tomb.
May God hear these prayers,
which come from the unlikely corners of our lives.

“Prayers of the People, concluding with:

“Give us ears to hear, O God,
and eyes to watch,
that we may know your presence in our midst
during this holy season of joy
as we anticipate the coming of Jesus Christ. Amen.”

From “First Sunday of Advent, Year B: Prayer,” The Revised Common Lectionary Vanderbilt Divinity website (additional prayers can also be accessed at the link)

To an Unslumbering God

“Unslumbering God,
at an unexpected hour
you sent an unlikely liberator
to an undeserving world.
Keep us faithful in unguarded moments
and alert in uncertain times,
so that we may seek your unmeasured mercy,
serve you with undivided hearts,
live together in unbroken community,
and greet you with unending praise;
for the sake of Jesus Christ, our undying Life,
in whom we know your unfailing justice,
unfathomable grace,
and unlimited love.”

From “First Sunday of Advent, Year A,” in “Prayers for Advent,” Presbyterian Mission website (more prayers are available in the linked PDF)

To the Potter

“Creator of the world,
you are the potter, we are the clay,
and you form us in your image.
Shape our spirits
by Christ’s transforming power,
that as one people
we may live out your compassion and justice,
whole and sound in the realm of your peace. Amen.”

From “First Sunday of Advent, Year B: Prayer,” The Revised Common Lectionary Vanderbilt Divinity website (additional prayers can also be accessed at the link)

Blessing

“May Almighty God, by whose providence our Savior Christ came among us
in great humility, sanctify you with the light of his blessing and set you free
from all sin. Amen.

“May he whose second Coming in power and great glory we await, make
you steadfast in faith, joyful in hope, and constant in love. Amen.

“May you, who rejoice in the first Advent of our Redeemer, at his second
Advent be rewarded with unending life. Amen.

And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy
Spirit, be upon you and remain with you for ever. Amen.”

From “Advent Blessing,” in “Seasonal Blessings,” in The Book of Occasional Services (8; another blessing for Advent is also available through the link)

Featured image is by Manfred Richter on Pixabay