Prayers during Advent
Stephen Spillane
This is a booklet of prayers to be used during Advent 2021. This is based around the structure of Anglican Daily prayer. The Sources of the prayers are: SALT Project. 2021. Advent Candle Lighting Litanies. [online] Available at: <https://www.saltproject.org/progressive-christian-blog/advent-candle-lightinglitanies> [Accessed 24 November 2021]. Craig, K., 2021. Looking Inward and Forward: Advent and Lenten Litanies for Peacemakers. In: B. Winn Lee, ed., Rally: Communal Prayers for Lovers of Jesus and Justice, 1st ed. Nashville, Tennessee: Fresh Air Books. HEPPENSTALL, A., 2020. BOOK OF UNCOMMON PRAYER. [S.l.]: FORTRESS PRESS. Hopwood, D., 2021. engageworship. [online] Engageworship.org. Available at: <https://engageworship.org/ideas/advent-creed> [Accessed 24 November 2021]. Pritchard, J., 2016. Daily prayer for all seasons. 1st ed. London: Canterbury Press Norwich.
I hope you find this useful.
Stephen Spillane, November 2021
Advent 1 - Hope Opening: Praise the Lord The Lords Name be Praised Sentence of Scripture: Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, - Isaiah 40: 5 Lighting of the Candle Reader One: When I look around, I see shadows of hunger. So many people in this city and around the world will go to bed hungry tonight… Reader Two: When I look around, I see shadows of injustice, the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer, everyone saying, "Buy, buy, buy!" - and someone somewhere will fall asleep under a bridge tonight… Reader One: In the face of hunger, we light a candle of hope… Reader Two: In the face of injustice, in the face of despair, we light a candle of hope… (Light the first candle in your Advent wreath.) Reader One: Let the light from this candle say to all that God’s hope is coming on earth as it already is in heaven. Reader Two: Friends, be not afraid, God’s hope is at hand Confession: In the midst of this of new life, we confess: We have resisted the light of your love; we have not fully shared the gifts entrusted to us; and we have not treasured the gifts of others around us. we stand in need of your love. Holy Father make us holy. Holy Jesus make us holy.
Holy Spirit make us holy. Holy God make us whole. Amen Canticle – The Magnificat My soul doth magnify the Lord. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded: the lowliness of his handmaiden: For behold, from henceforth: all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath magnified me: and holy is his Name. And his mercy is on them that fear him: throughout all generations. He hath shewed strength with his arm: he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seat: and hath exalted the humble and meek. He hath filled the hungry with good things: and the rich he hath sent empty away. He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel: As he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed for ever. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Spirit As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen. Reading: John 1: 1-8 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. Creed – An Advent Creed We believe in God the Father, creator of heaven and earth. The one who is full of patience, who is not afraid of silence,
who does not need to fill each moment with activity and noise. The one who is beyond bluster and flurry, and who does not jostle for attention. We believe in God the Son, Saviour of creation, who slipped into Bethlehem one night, mostly unnoticed, who lived thirty years without headlines or hurry, who frequently took time alone with his patient Father, who waited for the right time to become the suffering servant, who stood quietly before the noise of his accusers, whose silence overpowered their words, who died, then rose again on a quiet Sunday morning. We believe in God the Holy Spirit, who strengthens, empowers, renews and refreshes, sometimes arriving with obvious power, sometimes with the quiet breath of a whisper. We believe in one God who patiently waits for us, and who longs for us to do the same. Prayer Accompany us in our journey’s, O God help us to travel light and in good faith, to be brave and kind companions to one another and to value the journey itself as much as the destination. When we are weak, be to us a strong support; when we stumble lift us up; when we take a wrong turn, call us and guide us; when we lose heart give us hope. Amen in a few moments of silence, we pray for our own intentions
The Lord’s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, The power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen. Conclusion May the Lord make us ready for his coming in Glory Amen
Advent 2 – Peace Opening: Praise the Lord The Lords Name be Praised Sentence of Scripture In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety. – Psalm 4: 8 Lighting of the candle Reader One: Because of war, because of violence in our communities, because there is still so much unrest in Jerusalem, we light a candle of peace... Reader Two: Because hatred is still so strong, because so many swords have not yet been beaten into ploughshares, we light a candle of peace… (Light the second candle in your Advent wreath.) Reader One: May the light from this candle overwhelm the world. Reader Two: May the light from this candle say to all that God’s peace is coming on earth as it already is in heaven. Reader One: Friends, be not afraid, God’s peace is at hand! Salus Aeterna – Saviour Eternal Saviour eternal, life of the world unfailing, light everlasting and our true redemption. Taking our humanity in your loving freedom, you rescued our lost earth and filled the world with joy. By your first advent justify us, by your second, set us free: that when the great light dawns
and you come as judge of all, we may be robed in immortality and ready, Lord, to follow in your footsteps blest, wherever they may lead. Reading: Luke 1: 35, 38 The angel said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her. Advent Litany for Peacemakers In the footsteps of the unwed mother, may we walk in expectant hope. Lord, help us to journey together, for you are present in the wait. Emmanuel, God with us In the flutters of the old woman, may we rejoice with holy anticipation Lord, help us dance for what is to come, for joy in weary bones is a holy resistance. Emmanuel, God with us. In the closed doors of Bethlehem may we make room for the stranger. Lord, help us welcome the weary, for we are fellow sojourners. Emmanuel, God with us. In the tears of the labouring girl, may we be hopeful in our suffering. Lord, help us seek refuge in a compassionate God, for the Word has been made flesh. Emmanuel, God with us. In the presence of the midwife, may we sit with others in their pain. Lord, help us make space for one another, for as we gather we dwell in sacred community. Emmanuel, God with us. In the commitment of the ordinary carpenter, may we choose to love those who others deem unworthy. Lord, help us live in your upside-down kingdom, for you have ushered in new life. Emmanuel, God with us. In the warmth of the worn cloth, may we wrap our arms around the vulnerable. Lord, help us clothe the naked and feed the hungry, for what we do for the least of these, we do for you. Emmanuel, God with us. In the light of the brilliant star, may we illuminate the shadows cast by fear and hate. Lord, help us follow your perfect love, for when we lay our fear at your feet, we are free. Emmanuel, God with us. In the willingness of the dirty shepherds, may we proclaim a gospel of peace for all.
Lord, help us listen to the poor and powerless, for you choose your messengers in perfect, unexpected ways. Emmanuel, God with us. Amid the jealousy of the angry ruler, may we subvert the powers of the world. Lord, help us avoid the empire’s allure, for your glorious ways move beyond our idols. Emmanuel, God with us. In the song of the heavenly host, may we hear Jesus in the voices of the unheard. Lord, help us awaken to the mystery, for the melodies of your grace linger still. Emmanuel, God with us. In the wisdom of the temple prophetess may we bear witness in wondrous celebration. Lord, help us choose the way of peace, for yours is the kingdom, now and forever. Amen Conclusion O God of Elizabeth and Mary, you visited your servants with news of the world’s redemption in the coming of the Saviour: Make our hearts leap with joy and fill our mouths with songs of praise, that we may announce glad tidings of peace and welcome the Christ in our midst. Amen Do not be afraid God is with us, always.
Advent 3 – Joy Opening: Praise the Lord The Lords Name be Praised Sentence of Scripture Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near. – Matthew 3: 2 Lighting of the Candle Reader One: When I look around, I see shadows of sadness, families in homeless shelters, people in prison, people who have become invisible and forgotten... Reader Two: When I look around, I see shadows of grief and loss, people dreading the holidays because they've lost a loved one, because they're recently divorced, because they don't want to spend another Christmas alone… (Light the third candle in your Advent wreath.) Reader One: In the face of sadness, we light a candle of joy... Reader Two: In the face of grief, in the face of loss, we light a candle of joy... Reader One: May the light from this candle overwhelm the world. Reader Two: May the light from this candle say to all that God’s joy is coming on earth as it already is in heaven. Reader One: Brothers and sisters in Christ, be not afraid, God’s joy is at hand! Prayer Holy one, whose coming we await, you invite us into the light of your presence: Illume the dim places of our hearts. We are thirsty for your compassion. Draw near to us and fill us, that we may pour out your goodness to all who hunger. Amen A Song of the Spirit – (Revelation 22.12–14, 16, 17) ‘Behold, I am coming soon’, says the Lord, ‘and bringing my reward with me,
to give to everyone according to their deeds. ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.’ Blessed are those who do God’s commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter into the city through the gates. ‘I, Jesus, have sent my angel to you, with this testimony for all the churches. ‘I am the root and the offspring of David, I am the bright morning star.’ ‘Come!’ say the Spirit and the Bride; ‘Come!’ let each hearer reply! Come forward, you who are thirsty, let those who desire take the water of life as a gift. Surely I am coming soon! Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! Reading: Romans 13: 11-end Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armour of light; let us live honourably as in the day, not in revelling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarrelling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires Affirmation of Faith We believe in God, Creator of all; The two-legged, the four-legged, the winged ones, and those that crawl upon the earth and swim in the waters. We believe on God, One Who Walked with Us: Our Brother Jesus born in humility, who lived and died for us and who will come again to us to glory. We believe in God, Spirit with Us: Ever present and ever guiding, upholding us and showing us the principles to
live by. We hear God’s voice through the Prophets. Creator, One Who Walked with Us, Spirit with Us, Holy One: We are named in the waters of baptism as your own, all of us related, all of us your children. We Watch for signs of your homecoming and thank you for this sacred circle of life. Amen. Prayers Give us Peace, O God; in our waiting, let us not miss the moments as they slip by: in our longing, let us not forget to appreciate the present. Living in hope of a future touched by grace, a gift greater than we can imagine, let us live out our time immersed in your goodness, day by day and hour by hour. Amen in a few moments of silence, we pray for our own intentions The Lord’s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, The power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen. Conclusion God of community, whose call is more insistent than tires of family or blood: may we so respect and love those whose lives are linked with ours that we not in loyalty to you by make choices according to your will. Amen In the beginning, God created, and it was good. In the beginning was the Word.
Advent 4 – Love Opening: Praise the Lord The Lords Name be Praised Sentence of Scripture Comfort, o comfort my people, says your God – Isaiah 40: 1 Lighting of the Candle Reader One: Because too many people are wandering in the wilderness, because too many people are sitting in the valley of the shadow of death, we light candles… Reader Two: Because people all over the world are suffering and we are too busy to notice, we light candles… Reader One: Today we stop everything and light these candles: one for hope, one for peace, one for joy, and one for love… (Light the fourth candle in your Advent wreath.) Reader Two: May the light from these candles overwhelm the world. Reader One: May the light from these candles illuminate the valley of the shadow of death. Reader Two: May the light and the fire from these candles burn away everything that is preventing God’s love from being born among us. Reader One: Brother and sisters, be not afraid, even now - even now - God’s love is overwhelming the world! Prayer Come, Emmanuel, come dwell with me. Hope of the World and Word of life Come, Emmanuel, come dwell with me.
Psalm 146 1
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! 2
I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God all my life long. 3
Do not put your trust in princes, in mortals, in whom there is no help. 4
When their breath departs, they return to the earth; on that very day their plans perish. 5
Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God, 6
who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith for ever; 7
who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets the prisoners free; 8
the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous. 9
The Lord watches over the strangers; he upholds the orphan and the widow, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin. 10
The Lord will reign for ever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the Lord! Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Spirit As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen. Reading: Mark 13: 34-end It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will
come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.’
A Christmas Creed I believe in Jesus Christ and in the beauty of the gospel begun in Bethlehem. I believe in the one whose spirit glorified a little town and whose spirit still brings music to people all over the world. I believe in the one for whom the crowded inn could find no room, but who transformed the place by his very presence. I believe in the one who the rulers of the earth ignored and the proud could never understand; whose life was among ordinary people, whose welcome came from persons with hungry hearts. I believe in the one whose cradle was a mother’s arms, who looked at people and made them see what God’s love saw in them, who by love brought sinners back to purity, and lifted human weakness up to meet the strength of God. I acknowledge my ever-lasting need of God: The need of forgiveness for my selfishness and greed, the need of new life for empty souls, the need of love for hearts grown cold. I believe in God who gives us the best of himself. I believe in Jesus, the Son of God, born in Bethlehem, for me and for the world. Amen. Prayers Come, Lord Jesus, Come as King. Rule in our hearts, Come as love Rule in our minds, Come as peace.
Rule in our actions, Come as Power Rule in our days, Come as joy. Rule in our Darkness, Come as light. Rule in our bodies, Come as health Rule in our labours, Come as hope. Thy Kingdom come Among us. Lord Jesus Master of both the light and the darkness, send Your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas. We have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear Your voice each day. We who are anxious over many things look forward to Your coming among us. We who are bless in so many ways long for the complete joy of the kingdom. We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of Your presence. We are Your people, walking in darkness, yet seeing the light. To You we say, ‘Come Lord Jesus!’ Amen
in a few moments of silence, we pray for our own intentions
The Lord’s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, The power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen.
Conclusion Our Lord says, ‘I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come Lord Jesus May the Lord when he comes, find us watching and waiting Amen
Lighting the Christ Candle Reader One: Because injustice and despair threaten to overwhelm us, we pray for hope… (Light the first candle in your Advent wreath.) Reader Two: Because so many swords have not yet been beaten into ploughshares, we pray for peace… (Light the second candle in your Advent wreath.) Reader One: Because grief and loss weigh so heavily, we pray for joy... (Light the third candle in your Advent wreath.) Reader Two: Because hatred is still so strong, and because people all over the world are suffering, we pray for love. (Light the fourth candle in your Advent wreath.) Reader One: God has come to us as a child. Christ is present in our world. (Light the Christ Candle in your Advent wreath, often a candle in the centre.) Reader Two: May the light and the fire from these candles burn away everything that is preventing the God of hope and peace and joy and love from being born among us… Reader One: Brothers and sisters, be not afraid, even now - even now – the light of Christ is overwhelming the world!