Advent Prayers: Reflect on Jesus during the 2024 Advent Season

Table of Contents

• Short Advent Prayers
• Advent Prayer for Peace
• The Advent Chant
• The 'O' Antiphons of Advent
• An Advent Prayer for The Lord to Come
• Daily Advent Prayers and Meditations
• Prayers for Each Sunday of Advent and Lighting the Wreath Candles
• Advent Bible Verses and Scripture Readings

First, Some Simple Things to Pray For During Advent:

• Pray for attentiveness to what truly matters, without being distracted by trivial things.
• Pray for opportunities to learn something new about God regularly.
• Pray for discernment of how God would like you to set your priorities and the ability to focus on them consistently to fulfill His purposes in your life.
• Pray for the grace to be able to rest, become aware of God's presence, and enjoy it.
• Pray for peace in all situations, no matter what the circumstances.
• Pray for freedom from all that burdens you - past mistakes, fears, destructive habits, hurts other people have inflicted, and more.
• Pray for joy and a sense of humor.
• Pray for confidence in God's love for you and trust in His power to work things out for the best in your life.
• Pray for openness to the Holy Spirit's guidance.
• Pray for a genuine awareness of God's grace in your life and the humility to extend grace to others.

~ from Whitney Hopler's “Pray for Simplicity this Advent”

Download a FREE copy of Advent Devotionals: a 25 Day Prayer Guide! Print your own copy of this beautiful e-book to read through the Advent season.

Short Advent Prayers

Advent is a brief yet meaningful season, and sometimes all you need is short and simply heartfelt prayers to invite God’s calming presence into our lives amid the busyness of November and December. Let these simple prayers ground us in the peace, hope, and love that Christ brings as we prepare our hearts for His coming.

• Lord Jesus, as we enter this Advent season, help us cling to the hope You bring. In a world that feels heavy with need, remind us of Your promise to come again and make all things new. Let our hearts be filled with the light of Your presence, leading us closer to You each day. Amen.
• Prince of Peace, settle our hearts in this season of waiting. Where there is tension or fear, bring Your calming presence. May Your peace fill our lives, our homes, and our relationships, drawing us together in unity and love. Amen.
• God of joy, let us rediscover the wonder of Your love this Advent. Help us to rejoice not just in the gifts we receive, but in the gift of Your Son. May our hearts overflow with gratitude and joy as we look forward to celebrating Your birth. Amen.
• Father, as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Your Son, fill us with Your perfect love. Teach us to see others as You see them, to reach out in kindness, and to share the gift of Your love with those around us. Help us to live in a way that reflects Your heart for the world. Amen.

An Advent Prayer for Courage

Dear Heavenly Father,
Help me to hear your voice.
Touch me once again.
Give me the courage to be your beloved.
Give me courage to choose joy.

I need you now this Christmas.
Be born in me again. Today.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
~ by Bonnie Gray

A Prayer to Curb Comparison During Advent

Lord, help us stop comparing our Advent season to any other family because we know you have ordained us for this family, at this table, and you have “good works prepared in advance for us to do” that are specific for us. We find meaning and joy in whatever life looks like because we trust Jesus for our lives. Even more, when we’re seated with Christ, we worship you and take our eyes off ourselves. Because we’re experiencing intimacy with Jesus, loneliness and disconnection fade and allow us to focus on blessing others. 

We can stop obsessing over ourselves and consider how we might serve and love best. When we’re seated with Christ during Advent, we realize that you have sovereignly placed us right where we are for a reason this holiday season, and we can trust that you know what you’re doing. Finally, when we’re seated with Christ, we can reiterate to our heart that at all times, your peace, power, hope, and love are available to us in endless supply. As we take our seat with Jesus, we pray our holiday tables shimmer with your glory and that any joy and hope we’ve lost returns. May we overflow with spiritual gifts as we sit with you, Jesus.
~ by Heather Holleman

Advent Prayer for Peace

Dear Heavenly Father,
This is my one word prayer: PEACE.
I can’t see ahead. I don’t know what to do.
Here are all my fears and my questions… [share yours]
I want to experience your perfect peace.

Let it be with me. Just as you say.
Hold me, God, so I can hear you whisper to me, "You don't have to know the way. I do."
In Jesus' name, Amen
~ by Bonnie Gray

Lord, how wrong I have been to act as if Christ had never been born. As if He didn’t perform miracles. As if He didn’t take my every tear, my daily worries, my sin and insecurities on that cross. As if the tomb wasn’t empty and the throne wasn’t full of His presence and grace. It’s that grace that gives meaning and power to your promises. I know that your Word prevails even when our world turns black. I trust that your healing comes in different forms, stages and ways. I believe that you promised to provide all we need. Seeking you doesn’t require physical vision, complete health or a life free of troubles. But instead, a heart full of devotion and obedience, which I offer you. No matter how many Advent seasons sweep by, Lord, your reminders remain the same. Each tear we cry has a purpose. Each trying stage has a divine reason. And in your capable hands, each icy rain of adversity is transformed into the warmth and sparkle of your grace.
~ by Janet Perez Eckles

An Advent Prayer to the Prince of Peace

Lord, in a season when every heart should be happy and light, many of us are struggling with the heaviness of life—burdens that steal the joy right out of our stockings. Tragedy arrives as innocent victims suffer, and an inner voice whispers, “Be afraid!” We need your peace, Jesus. We confess that our hearts are too often filled with wonder of a different kind: wondering when the bills will be paid, when the terror will stop, when rest will come. Will it ever? Is the message still true? In a world where worry, not peace, prevails, stir up that good news again. 

This Advent, make it real in our hearts. Never have we needed Your joy and peace more than now. Thank You for the gift of Jesus, our Immanuel, the Word made flesh. We not only need Your peace and joy; Lord, we crave it. You’ve promised rest for the weary, victory for the battle-scarred, peace for the anxious, and acceptance for the broken hearted—not just at Advent, but every day of every year. Your name is still called “Wonderful,” “Counselor,” “The Mighty God,” “The Everlasting Father,” and “The Prince of Peace.” We know that peace on earth can only come when hearts find peace with You. You are still our Joy. You are still our Peace. You are no longer a babe in the manger. You are Lord of lords and King of kings. And we still celebrate You as Lord—this Christmas and always.
~ by Rebecca Barlow Jordan

The Advent Chant

"In the twenty-fourth day of the month of December;
In the year five-thousand one-hundred and ninety-nine from the creation of the world, when in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth;
In the year two-thousand nine-hundred and fifty-seven from the flood;
In the year two-thousand and fifty-one from the birth of Abraham;
In the year one-thousand five-hundred and ten from the going forth of the people of Egypt under Moses;
In the year one-thousand and thirty-two from the anointing of David as king;

In the sixty-fifth week according to the prophecy of Daniel;
In the one-hundred and ninety-fourth Olympiad;
In the year seven-hundred and fifty-two from the foundation of the city of Rome;
In the forty-second year of the reign of the Emperor Octavian Augustus;
In the sixth age of the world, while the whole earth was at peace;
JESUS CHRIST eternal God and the Son of the eternal Father, willing to consecrate the world by His gracious coming, having been conceived of the Holy Ghost, and the nine months of His conception being now accomplished, [all kneel] was born in Bethlehem of Judah of the Virgin Mary, made man. The birthday of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to the flesh."

(From the Roman Martyrology)

A Prayer to Prepare My Heart for Christ’s Coming

Father, just as You sent John the Baptist to prepare the way for Jesus, help me to clear the path in my heart, too. Show me the distractions in my life that block me from all-out worship of You this Advent. Lord, I await Your coming! As I celebrate the first Advent––the first coming––I look toward the day where I will see You face to face. I imagine what it will be like. Give me a heart, Lord, that looks for Your coming on a daily basis. Help me to live my life where I'm constantly seeking Your presence. My offering to You today is my righteous life for I know I am only clean because of Jesus. Show me today how I need to be refined, purified, forgiven. Give me the strength to ask for forgiveness and to then change my ways.
~ by Sarah Martin

The 'O' Antiphons of Advent

Since the seventh century, this set of seven prayer texts has been sung or recited over the final days of Advent during the daily service of vespers, or evening prayer. They are voiced in response to the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55). Each antiphonal prayer addresses God with "O" and a biblical name and concludes with a call for him to come. The phrases of the prayers derive from Scripture. You may be familiar with them from the verses of the well-known Advent hymn, "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel." They may be used devotionally, one a day, from December 17 to 23. Here are the traditional texts of the "Great O's":

O Wisdom, O holy word of God, you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care: Come and show your people the way to salvation.

O Sacred Lord of ancient Israel, who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush, who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain: Come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free.

O Flower of Jesse's stem, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; rulers stand silent in your presence; the nations bow down in worship before you. Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid.

O Key of David, O royal power of Israel, controlling at your will the gate of heaven: Come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and lead your captive people into freedom.

O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: Come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

O Ruler of all the nations, the only joy of every human heart, O keystone of the mighty arch of humankind: Come and save the creature you fashioned from the dust.

O Emmanuel, ruler and lawgiver, desire of the nations, savior of all people: Come and set us free, Lord our God.
~from “Advent in Church and Cultural Tradition” by Bobby Gross

An Advent Prayer to Remember God’s Promises

Lord,
Advent is here, but so is family tension.
Advent is here, but so are dysfunctional relationships.
Advent is here, but so are old habits.
Advent is here, but gone are people we love.
Advent is here, but old baggage still exists.

Advent is here, but fears surface.
You say, "I see all that, and I can handle all that."
You say, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
You say, "Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid."
You say, "Tell everyone who is discouraged, Be strong and don’t be afraid! God is coming to your rescue…"
What looks unscalable, You boost me over.

What seems unbearable, You bring me through unbelievably.
What can't be managed, You say, "Let down your guard and I will guard you."
Amen.
~ by Kelly Balarie

An Advent Prayer for The Lord to Come

This Christmas, Lord, come to the manger of my heart.
Fill me with Your presence from the very start.
As I prepare for the holidays and gifts to be given,
Remind me of the gift You gave when You sent Your Son from Heaven.

The first Christmas gift, it was the greatest gift ever.
You came as a baby born in a manger.
Wrapped like the gifts I find under my tree,
Waiting to be opened, to reveal Your love to me.

Restore to me the wonder that came with Jesus' birth,
when He left the riches of Heaven and wrapped Himself in rags of earth.
Immanuel, God with us, Your presence came that night.
And angels announced, "Into your darkness, God brings His Light."

"Do not be afraid," they said, to shepherds in the field.
Speak to my heart today, Lord, and help me to yield.
Make me like those shepherd boys, obedient to Your call.
Setting distractions and worries aside, to You I surrender them all.

Surround me with Your presence, Lord, I long to hear Your voice.
Clear my mind of countless concerns and all the holiday noise.
Slow me down this Christmas, let me not be in a rush.
In the midst of parties and planning, I want to feel Your hush.

This Christmas, Jesus, come to the manger of my heart.
Invade my soul like Bethlehem, bringing peace to every part.
Dwell within and around me, as I unwrap Your presence each day.
Keep me close to You, Lord. It's in Your wonderful Name I pray.

~ by Renee Swope

Daily Advent Prayers and Meditations

Advent is a season of waiting and expectation, a time to slow down and reflect on the arrival of Christ. Each day offers us a chance to draw near to Him, to remember His promises, and to prepare our hearts for the hope of Christmas. Use these short daily prayers and reflections can help keep your spirit focused on His light and love during Advent in 2024.

• “Lord, as we begin Advent, help me to prepare my heart for Your coming. Just as Mary waited the coming birth of Jesjus, teach me to wait patiently, trusting in Your perfect timing. Fill me with hope and expectation. Amen.”
• “Jesus, Prince of Peace, calm my anxious heart today. Help me to rest in Your presence, knowing You are near. Let Your peace be my guide. Amen.”
• “Father, open my eyes to see Your love in my life. Let me be a light to those around me, reflecting Your kindness and grace. Amen.”
• “Lord, in this season of giving, remind me that You gave first through the birth of Jesus in a manger. Let my heart overflow with gratitude for Your love and sacrifice. Amen.”

Prayers for Each Sunday of Advent When Lighting the Advent Wreath

"Dear Heavenly Father, as we enter into this Advent season, our hearts are filled with hope and anticipation. We long for the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ, who brings light into our world. In the midst of the darkness that can sometimes surround us, we find hope in your promises and in the fulfillment of your prophecies.

As we light the first Advent candle, may its flame remind us of the hope that Christ's birth brings. We place our trust in you, O God, knowing that you are faithful to your word. Help us to prepare our hearts and minds for the celebration of the Savior's birth, and may the hope of Christ's coming fill us with joy and peace. In this season of Advent, may we be beacons of hope to others, sharing the good news of your love and salvation. Guide us in our journey toward Christmas, and may we draw closer to you each day. We offer this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen."

First Sunday of Advent: The Prophecy Candle (Hope)

Meaning: The first candle of Advent symbolizes hope. It reminds us of the promises God made through the prophets about the coming of a Savior, filling us with expectant hope in Christ’s arrival.

Prayer: "Lord, today we light this candle of hope. We remember the prophets who foretold a Savior, and we hold on to the promises You’ve given us. As we enter this Advent season, may Your hope fill our hearts and keep our eyes fixed on You. Thank You for the hope that sustains us in every season. Help us to share this hope with those around us, shining Your light into the world. Amen."

Second Sunday of Advent: The Bethlehem Candle (Faith)

Meaning: The second candle represents faith, calling us to remember Mary and Joseph’s journey of faith to Bethlehem, trusting in God’s plan and His promise.

Prayer: "Father, as we light this candle of faith, we think of Mary and Joseph’s journey and their trust in You. Just as they followed Your guidance to Bethlehem, help us to walk in faith and trust Your plans for our lives. Strengthen our faith, Lord, so we may rely on Your promises even when we don’t see the way ahead. Thank You for guiding us and being our faithful provider. Amen."

Third Sunday of Advent: The Shepherd’s Candle (Joy)

Meaning: This candle represents joy, recalling the shepherds’ joyful response to the angel’s announcement of Jesus’ birth—a joy that we, too, can carry in our hearts.

Prayer: "Dear Lord, today we light this candle of joy. We remember the excitement of the shepherds and their wonder at the birth of the Savior. Fill our hearts with that same joy, a joy that comes from knowing You and from the good news of Jesus. Let this joy shine brightly, lifting our spirits and pointing others to Your love. May our joy be a testimony of Your grace in our lives. Amen."

Fourth Sunday of Advent: The Angel’s Candle (Peace)

Meaning: The fourth candle represents peace, echoing the angel’s message of “peace on earth” and reminding us that Jesus is the Prince of Peace who brings calm to our hearts and our world.

Prayer:"God of peace, as we light this candle, we thank You for the peace You offer through Jesus. In a world filled with turmoil, You are our calm and our comfort. Help us to carry this peace within us and to share it with others. May our homes, our hearts, and our relationships be touched by Your peace as we prepare for Jesus’ coming. Thank You for being the Prince of Peace and our constant refuge. Amen."

Christmas Eve: The Christ Candle (Light)

Meaning: The fifth candle, the Christ candle, represents the light of Christ entering the world. It reminds us that Jesus, the Light of the World, dispels darkness and brings life and hope to all.

Prayer:"Lord Jesus, on this holy night, we light the Christ candle, celebrating the arrival of Your light in the world. Thank You for stepping into our darkness to bring us hope, peace, joy, and love. May Your light shine brightly in our hearts, guiding us closer to You and inspiring us to reflect Your love to others. Help us to carry this light beyond Christmas, sharing Your grace and truth with everyone we meet. Thank You for the gift of Your presence with us, now and forever. Amen."

If you're looking for longer Advent wreath prayers while lighting the candles , read: 5 Beautiful Prayers to Pray at the Advent Wreath

Advent Bible Verses and Scripture Readings

Isaiah 11:10 - "A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The spirit of the Lord will rest on him - the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might...
John 1:9-18 - "The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his won did not recieve him..."
Mark 1:1-3 - "The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: "I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare the way - a voice of one calling in teh wilderness, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'"
Luke 1:14-17 - "He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord...

Additional Advent Resources

What is Advent? Its Beautiful Meaning and Purpose Explained
Advent Wreath & Candles - Understand the Meaning, History, and Tradition
The History and Meaning of the Advent Calendar
What Are Advent Readings & Why Are They Important?

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Read more Advent Bible Verses and Scriptures