This Advent, I am simply offering some prayers for your Advent devotions. Each week, I’ll include the Collect from the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer for that Sunday. I’ve added the Collect from Women’s Uncommon Prayers, a collection of prayers by women in the church from 2000. This feminine leaning set of prayers can offer a different insight into our spiritual journey. I’ll also include a prayer from Daily Prayer for All Seasons, compiled in 2014. I have also added one for each week from The Lives we Actually Have by Kate Bowler. The Bowler book is a resource I just recently learned about, and it is definitely one to add to your collection.
Each week in Advent traditionally has a theme. Hope—Love—Joy—Peace. The prayers help us focus on that theme. Use this offering however you feel led. You can pray all of them each weekday, use them just on Sunday, pray one a day, etc. May your Advent journey be blessed this year.
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:15)
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. (Book of Common Prayer)
O Hidden, Eternal, and Self-giving god, who became human for our salvation: Open our minds, liberate our hearts, and strengthen our souls, that we may live into the fullness of your desires for us; in the name of the Source, the Word, and the Spirit. Amen. (Women’s Uncommon Prayers)
Blessed are we who wait with bated breath, who wait for
something new to be born—for new hope or new joy or new life.
Blessed are we whose patience grows thinner by the day. We
who are tired of the world as it is—in all of its heartache and loss and
hopelessness. We who want more.
More hope. More joy. More life.
Blessed are we who sit here, waiting at the still point
between desire and expectation. We who are making room for more of you, oh God,
this Christmas.
Surprise us with joy in the midst of the mundane, abundance
in the midst of so much scarcity, presence in the midst of Christmas chaos.
We have quieted our souls to listen, to wait for you, oh
God, for your Word-Made-Flesh is life to us.
Amen. (The Lives we Actually Have/Kate Bowler)
Wise and loving God, you bear us for joy. In humility, you
show us wisdom. Enfold us at this hour with the knowledge born of love. Awaken
within us the desire to know rightly and the will to live justly, with grace
and generosity. Amen (Daily Prayer for All Seasons)
