advent – Page 4 – A Collection of Prayers

May We always Watch and Pray

veit-dietrich

Lord God, heavenly Father, by your Son you have revealed to us that heaven and earth will pass away, that our bodies will rise again and that we all must appear before the judgment throne. Keep us by your Holy Spirit in your Word, establish us in the true faith, graciously defend us from sin and preserve us in all temptations, that our hearts may not be obsessed with carousing, drunkenness, and foolish cares, but that we may always watch and pray and trust fully in your grace, await with joy the glorious coming of your Son and at last, obtain eternal salvation, through your beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one true God, now and forever. Amen.

Source: Veit Dietrich

Source of this version: Freely modified from The Lutheran Hymnary, 1913, http://olcc.us/liturgical-resources/collects-veit-dietrich/ (Advent 2)

Make Us Watchful

Advent 1

O Lord our God,
make us watchful and heedful
as we await the coming of your Son,
Christ our Lord,
that when he comes and knocks,
he will find us not sleeping in sins
but awake and rejoicing in his praises;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Source: Gelasian Sacramentary

Source of this version: Modified from Ancient Collects, and Other Prayers, ed. William Bright, 1902, p. 16 #4

Purify Our Consciences

Advent 1

O Lord,
purify our consciences by your daily presence,
that when your Son, our Lord comes,
he may find in us a place prepared for himself;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Source: Gelasian Sacramentary

Source of this version: Modified from Ancient Collects, and Other Prayers, ed. William Bright, 1902, p. 16 #3

Stir Up Our Hearts

Advent 1

Stir up our hearts, O Lord,
to prepare the way for your only Son.
By his advent we may be enabled
to serve you with purified minds
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Source: Gelasian Sacramentary

Source of this version: Modified from Ancient Collects, and Other Prayers, ed. William Bright, 1902, p. 16 #2

Advent Prayer

Advent 1

O Lord Jesus Christ,
at your first coming you humbled yourself because of our sins.
At your second coming our sins will be done away by your mercy,
and we will be numbered with your saints in glory everlasting;
through your merits, O blessed Savior,
with the Father and the Holy Spirit
you live and reign,
one God,
now and forever.
Amen.

Source: Mozarabic Collect for the First Sunday in Advent, freely modified from Mozarabic Collects, ed. Rev. Chas. R. Hale, New York, 1881, p.15 #1

Stir Up Your Power and Come

Advent 1 O

Lord,
stir up your power and come.
Mercifully fulfill all you have promised your Church
to the end of the world.

Source: Gelasian Sacramentary

Source of this version: Modified from Ancient Collects, and Other Prayers, ed. William Bright, 1902, p. 16 #1

You Gave Us a Meek and Righteous King

veit-dietrich Lord God, heavenly Father, we thank you, we bless you and praise you forever that you sent your Son to rule over us poor sinners, who justly deserve to remain in the tyranny of sin and Satan, but in Jesus, you gave us a meek and righteous King, who by his death became our Savior from sin and eternal death. Enlighten, govern and direct us by your Holy Spirit, that we may always remain faithful to this righteous King and Savior and not like the rest of the world, be offended with his humble form and despised Word, but firmly believing in him, obtain eternal salvation; through your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one true God, now and forever. Amen.

Source: Veit Dietrich

Source of this version: Freely modified from The Lutheran Hymnary, 1913, http://olcc.us/liturgical-resources/collects-veit-dietrich/ (Advent 1)

Prayer for the Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost

O Christ our Lord,
at your coming peace returned to earth.
Keep us always in your peace
until at your return in glorious majesty,
we inherit eternal peace;
through your mercy, O our God,
you are blessed,
and live and govern all things,
now and forever.
Amen.

Source: Freely modified from Mozarabic Collects, ed. Rev. Chas. R. Hale, New York, 1881, p. 37 #2 (Trinity 22)

“peace returned to earth” is a reference to Luke 2:14

A General Prayer (Advent 1)

wilhelm_loehe

O Lord, our heavenly Father, we give you thanks for the comfort you have given us in the gift of your dear Son Jesus Christ, whom you sent to be a King and Savior to redeem his people from their sin and to deliver them from the might of Satan and the power of everlasting death. Give us your Holy Spirit to enlighten, govern, and sanctify our hearts, that we may confess him as our King and Savior, and always cling to him. Give us a true and living faith so that we may not be offended at his humiliation, Word and Kingdom, which the world esteems so lightly; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Accept also, O Lord, the prayers of your faithful people for the well being of your holy Church throughout the world. Govern and sanctify it, with all its pastors and ministers, by your Holy Spirit, that we may be kept by your Word in true faith and fervent love toward you and one another.

Grant also health and prosperity to all who are in authority, especially, the president of our nation and the governor of our state,* that they may rule over us according to your will to maintain righteousness and hinder and punish of wickedness, that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty.

Grant also that our enemies may cease their enmity and be inclined to walk with us in meekness and in peace.

All who are in trouble, want, sickness, anguish of labor or any other trouble, especially those who suffer for your name and for your truth’s sake, comfort, O God, with your Holy Spirit, that they may receive and confess their afflictions as the manifestation of your Fatherly will.

Cause also the fruits of the earth to prosper, and give us all other things you would have us ask for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Source: Freely modified from Liturgy for Christian Congregations of the Lutheran Faith by Wilhelm Löhe, Advent Prayer 1, p. 119-120

* “the president of our nation and the governor of our state” should be modified to fit the circumstances of a country’s national, provincial or district authorities.

Rites for the Lighting of an Advent Wreath

This set of rites for the lighting of an Advent wreath follows the thematic pattern used by many lectionaries for the Advent season: Readiness, Repentance, Rejoicing, and Christ Revealed in the Flesh. The third set of versicles in each rite emphasizes that it is Christ himself who makes his people ready by his Word and work. The rites are intended to be used after a general welcome and before the opening hymn. The rites may be used at other times in a worship service. The rubric “N Advent candle(s) is/are lit during the OPENING HYMN” may be adapted as needed. Please contact for any commercial usage.

CW.Advent 1

FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT
“Readiness”

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light:
On those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. (Isaiah 9:2)

Our Savior Jesus said, “You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Matthew 24:44)
All will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. (1 Peter 4:5)

Christ himself has given apostles, prophets, pastors and teachers to make God’s people ready for works of service. (Ephesians 4:11)
He will strengthen our hands to do his work and open our lips to declare his praise. (Psalm 51:15)

Let us pray.
Almighty God, you strengthen us that we may cast away the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. With Word and Sacrament, make ready our hearts. Make us ready to receive your Word and live by it daily. Make us ready to live our faith through love and service. And finally, make us ready to meet you face to face on the day your Son comes to judge the living and the dead; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

One Advent candle is lit during the opening hymn.
__________

SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT
“Repentance”

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light:
On those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. (Isaiah 9:2)

John the Baptist called out in the wilderness: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
“Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.” (Matthew 3:2,3)

Christ himself has given us the power for repentance. By his holy life and innocent death he has conquered Satan and sin and is able to help us when we are tempted. (Hebrews 2:18)
He reigns in our lives with his grace and bring us to eternal life. (Romans 5:21)

Let us pray.
Almighty God, your holy Word has called us to repent of sin and walk in your path of righteousness. For the sake of Jesus Christ, you have not quickly judged the world for sin, but have given all a time of grace, and a call to turn from evil ways. By the power of your Spirit, turn our hearts to you. Make us grow in our obedience to your Word. In Jesus, you have revealed to us your holy love. Move us to love one another as he has loved us, and to serve one another as if we were serving you; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

Two Advent candles are lit during the opening hymn.
__________

THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT
“Rejoicing”

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light:
On those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. (Isaiah 9:2)

You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest. (Isaiah 9:3)

Christ himself has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows, shattering the yoke of sin that burdened us. (Isaiah 53:4)
He restores to us the joy of salvation and grant us willing spirits. By his stripes our weary souls are healed. (Psalm 51:12, Isaiah 53:5)

Let us pray.
Almighty God, you give strength to the weary and pronounce blessings on those who mourn. You have sent us a Savior. You have made us your people. Fill our hearts with joy that flows from the forgiveness of our sins, joy powered by the resurrection of our living Savior, that we may shine like the stars of the heavens, bringing glory to you; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

Three Advent candles are lit during the opening hymn.
__________

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT
“Christ Revealed in the Flesh”

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light:
On those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. (Isaiah 9:2)

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. (Isaiah 9:6)

Christ himself has come down from heaven, has become incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and has become truly human.
He shared in our humanity. By his death destroyed the devil and the power of death, and freed us from fear and slavery forever. (Hebrews 2:14-15)

Let us pray.
Almighty God, your Son, our Savior, Jesus became flesh and made his dwelling among us. In him you have revealed yourself, your love, and your plan for all humanity. By his Word, make us ready for his coming. Keep our hearts repentant, constantly turning to your path of righteousness. Restore to us the joy of your salvation, and uphold us with your free Spirit; through him who came to give himself to us and to make us his own, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

Four Advent candles are lit during the opening hymn.