Advent 3: Joy

 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)

Advent 2: Love

 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.

“Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” (Matthew 11:3)

Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen (Book of Common Prayer)

Life-giving God, in whom we live and move and have our being: Kindle your love within us as we await the coming of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, that we might humbly serve others in his name, both now and forever. Amen. (Women’s Uncommon Prayers)

God, we are waiting for love, not the simple kind or the sweep-you-off-your-feet kind, but the absurd kind.

The kind wrapped in rags, resting in a bucket of animal feed. Love enough to save us all.

Blessed are we who look for Love deeper, fuller, truer—than we have ever known, than we could have ever hoped for.

Blessed are we who seek you, the light that dawned so long ago in that dark stable.
Love given.
Love received.

Receive this gift, dear one.
Love has come for you. (The Lives we Actually Have/Kate Bowler)

O Holy One, thank you for coming to us anew this day. Prepare our hearts and reawaken our love for you as we discern your call within us. May we join with you in making level the path for all people. Amen. (Daily Prayer for All Seasons)