Prayers for the Christian Year

Prayer for the First Week of Advent: Keeping Awake

Lord Jesus, you told your friends to stay awake and watch for you. Wake me from the sleep of habit and hurry. As this first candle is lit, open my eyes to the ways you come to me each day, and keep my heart ready for the day you come again. Amen.

Scripture reference:
Mark 13:37 — “And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”

Prayer for the Second Week of Advent: Preparing the Way

God of the prophets, through John the Baptist you called your people to prepare the way for your Son. Show me what in my life stands in his way: the resentment I keep, the excuses I make, the noise I hide in. Level the rough places in me, and make a straight road for Christ to come. Amen.

Scripture reference:
Isaiah 40:3 — “A voice cries out: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.’”

Prayer for the Third Week of Advent: Gaudete Sunday

Lord, on this Sunday of rejoicing, let the rose candle remind me that you are near. Even while I wait, give me a joy that does not depend on everything being finished or perfect, and let that joy spill over into gentleness toward everyone I meet. Amen.

Scripture reference:
Philippians 4:4 — “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.”

Prayer for the Fourth Week of Advent: Mary's Yes

God of every promise, Mary said yes to you before she could see how your word would be fulfilled. As Christmas draws near, give me her trust. Where I cannot yet see the way ahead, let me still say: let it be with me according to your word. Amen.

Scripture reference:
Luke 1:38 — “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.”

The Advent Collect

Written by Thomas Cranmer for the first English Book of Common Prayer in 1549, this prayer has been said on the First Sunday of Advent for nearly five centuries. It is given here in the wording of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer.

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your 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 living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Scripture reference:
Romans 13:12 — “…the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.”

The O Antiphons (17–23 December)

In the last seven days before Christmas Eve, the Church's Evening Prayer greets Christ each day by a different title from the Old Testament and calls on him to come. These ancient prayers, sung in Rome by the eighth century, are the source of the hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” Pray one each evening, on its day.

17 December. O Wisdom, who came forth from the mouth of the Most High, reaching from end to end and ordering all things with strength and gentleness: come, and teach us the way of understanding.

18 December. O Adonai, Lord and leader of the house of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the flame of the burning bush and gave him the law on Sinai: come, and redeem us with outstretched arm.

19 December. O Root of Jesse, standing as a sign for the peoples, before whom kings fall silent and to whom the nations will pray: come, and set us free, and delay no longer.

20 December. O Key of David and sceptre of the house of Israel, who open and no one can shut, who shut and no one can open: come, and lead the prisoners out of the prison house, those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death.

21 December. O Rising Sun, splendour of eternal light and sun of justice: come, and shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death.

22 December. O King of the nations and their desire, the cornerstone who makes both one: come, and save the human race, whom you formed from the dust of the earth.

23 December. O Emmanuel, our King and lawgiver, the hope of the nations and their Saviour: come, and save us, O Lord our God.

Scripture reference:
Isaiah 9:2 — “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined.”

Prayer for the Nativity Fast

Lord Jesus Christ, the prophet Anna waited for you in the Temple with fasting and prayer, and her eyes saw your salvation. As I keep this fast before your Nativity, let my hunger turn into longing for you. Keep me from pride in what I give up, and from harshness toward others, and let my fasting make room for prayer and for the poor. Amen.

Scripture reference:
Luke 2:37 — “She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day.”

Prayer When Advent Is Hard

God of all comfort, the world around me is full of lights and music, and my heart is heavy. You know the grief, the worry or the loneliness I carry into this season. I do not need to pretend with you. Keep one small light burning in my darkness, stay close to me while I wait, and let me know that you came for people who sit in the shadows. Amen.

Scripture reference:
Isaiah 9:2 — “…those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined.”

Maranatha: Come, Lord Jesus

The first Christians prayed in Aramaic, Marana tha: “Our Lord, come!” It can be said slowly, many times, as a prayer of the heart.

Come, Lord Jesus. Come into my home and my work, into the people I love and the people I find hard to love. Come into the world's suffering and into my own. Come in grace today, and come in glory at the end. Maranatha. Amen.

Scripture reference:
Revelation 22:20 — “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!”

Prayer on Christmas Day

Lord Jesus Christ, today you were born in Bethlehem, and the waiting is over. You came small and poor, laid in a manger, so that no one would be afraid to come near you. Be born again in my heart and in my home. Fill this day with your joy, and let me see your face in every guest and every stranger. Glory to God in the highest. Amen.

Scripture reference:
John 1:14 — “And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory.”

Prayer for the Epiphany

God of every nation, you led the Magi by a star to the child in Bethlehem. Lead me, too, by whatever light you give, and let me bring you the gifts I have. Make me a light for others who are still searching, until all the world comes to know your Son. Amen.

Scripture reference:
Isaiah 60:1 — “Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.”