Advent Scripture
Prepare
Isiah 40:3-5 A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
Hope
Isaiah 53:5 “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”
Romans 8:24-25 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Peace
Isaiah 9:6 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Galatians 4:4-5 “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.”
Luke 2:13-14 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
Joy
Luke 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Isaiah 55:12 For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Psalm 5:11 “But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, so that those who love your name may exult in you.”
Philippians 4:4-5 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Love
John 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
John 15:13 ”Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
1 John 4: 7-10 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
ADVENT PRAYERS
Preparation:
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. Amen
Hope
God, as I head into December, I want pause and remember all that You’ve done in my life, my family, and community. I praise You because You are the God who saves. You are Immanuel, God with us. I thank You that my hope is in You, not in circumstances or people. Because I hope in You, I am confident that You will fulfill Your promises to Me. Remind me today of what truly matters. Fix my hearts on You. Help me to see how You are working in the middle of my waiting. Draw me closer to You this Christmas season, and prepare My hearts for the fulfillment of Your promises. Amen.
Peace
Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Thank You for you caring, and thank You for promising to give me your peace. Please guard my hearts and mind with Your peace. You know the things that have been weighing me down with worry, anxiety, or fear. Lord, please help me fix my mind on You instead, and on Your Spirit. Thank You for promising to bring me life and peace. Amen
Joy
Heavenly Father, Thank You for the joy that entered the world when Jesus was born. You have given us pure joy by becoming God with us. Lord, sometimes it’s difficult to live joyfully, especially in difficult or busy seasons. Please purify my heart this Christmas season and remind me that You’re in control. Help me to consider it joy when I experience trials of any kind because I know You’re creating something beautiful and eternal. Enable me to fix my eyes and heart on You, fill my soul with renewed strength, courage, and hope. Lord, you are always worthy of being praised – and I want to joyfully worship You! Amen
Love:
Lord, thank You for loving me so much that You gave Your Son for me, even before I loved You. Thank You for inviting me into Your family. Thank you for the sacrificial display of your love for me on the cross. Thank you for enabling me to surrender my life to you love. Help me to live a life that sacrificially display the love you have placed in me by your Spirit. Please help me to love others as You have loved me Father, please help me to see every person the same way that You see them. Help me love them the way that You love them — even when that love is not returned. Please show me how to walk continually in Your love, that perfect love which casts out fear. Amen.
Prayer Points
Pray for openness to the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
Pray for attentiveness to what truly matters, without being distracted by trivial things.
Pray for opportunities to learn something new.
Pray for discernment of how God would like you to set your priorities.
Pray for the ability to focus on biblical priorities 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 strong relationships with other people in the bond of a loving community.
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 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 a clear mind and the ability to clearly communicate what you value to others.
Pray for purity so you can grow as a person and encounter God more fully.
Pray for a genuine awareness of God’s grace in your life and the humility to extend grace to others.