Advent Wreath Prayers

These prayers may be said every evening when the Advent wreath is lit.

First Week

Light the first purple candle, then pray:

Stir up Thy power, O Lord, and come,
that by Thy protection we may be rescued
from the dangers that beset us through our sins;
and be a Redeemer to deliver us;
Who livest and reignest with God the Father
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Scriptures:

Isaiah 11:1-10
Luke: 1:26-38
Isaiah 7:10-14
Matthew 1:18-24


Second Week

Light the first and second purple candle, and pray:

Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the paths of Thine Only-begotten Son:
that we may worthily serve Thee with hearts purified by His coming:
Who livest and reignest with God the Father
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Scriptures:

Micah 5:2
Matthew 2:1-2, 9-11
Isaiah 2:1-5
Matthew 3:1-6


Third Week

(The third Sunday in Advent is Gaudete Sunday. We light the rose candle and rejoice that our redemption is so close at hand. Gaudete comes from the Latin Antiphon, which begins, "Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico, gaudete...", which translates as "Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say, rejoice...".)

Light the rose and two purple candles, then pray:

We beseech Thee to listen to our prayers, O Lord,
and by the grace of Thy coming, enlighten our darkened minds:
Thou who livest and reignest with God the Father
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God forever and ever. Amen.

Scriptures:

Isaiah 9:6-7
John 1:19-34
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Philippians 2:1-11


Fourth Week

Light all four candles and pray:

Pour forth Thy power, O Lord, and come:
Assist us by that mighty power,
so that by Thy grace and merciful kindness
we may swiftly receive the salvation that our sins impede:
Who livest and reignest with Thee
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
ever one God, world without end. Amen.

Scriptures:

Malachi 3:1-5
Romans 8:18-25
Isaiah 52:7-10
Revelation 21:1-4


Christmas Day and Christmastide

Light all four candles and center white candle
or
replace all candles with white candles and pray:

God of love, Father of all,
the darkness that covered the earth
has given way to the bright dawn of your Word made flesh.
Make us a people of this light.
Make us faithful to your Word
that we may bring your life to the waiting world.
Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Scriptures:

Isaiah 9:1-6
Luke 2:1-20
John 1:1-18
Titus 2:11-14