Advent Prayers, Week 3

Daily Prayers for Advent written by New Songers

ADVENT III

Isaiah 65:17-25

Thus says the Lord, "I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating; for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy, and its people as a delight. I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and delight in my people; no more shall the sound of weeping be heard in it, or the cry of distress. No more shall there be in it an infant that lives but a few days, or an old person who does not live
out a lifetime; for one who dies at a hundred years will be considered a youth, and one who falls short of a hundred will be considered accursed. They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labor in vain, or bear children for
calamity; for they shall be offspring blessed by the Lord-and their descendants as well. Before they call I will answer, while they are yet speaking I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox; but the serpent-its food shall be dust! They shall not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain," says the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

But we appeal to you, brothers and sisters, to respect those who labor among you, and have charge of you in the Lord and admonish you; esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, beloved, to admonish the idlers, encourage the faint hearted, help the weak, be patient with all of them. See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil. May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this. Beloved, pray for us. Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss. I solemnly command you by the Lord that this letter be read to all of them. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

John 1:6-8, 19-28

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, "I am not the Messiah." And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are
you the prophet?" He answered, "No." Then they said to him, "Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?" He said, "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,'" as the prophet Isaiah said. Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, "Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?" John answered them, "I baptize with.water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal." This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.

Advent III - Monday

"Thus says the Lord, "I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating; for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy, and its people as a delight." Isaiah 65:17-18

God of newness, in your coming you make all things new - even us. Help us to leave behind the mistakes that haunt us, the hurts that won't heal, the fears that paralyze and keep us from fully living. Free us from the bondage of our past and help us to live joyfully into our future with you. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

Think of a mistake you've made, a hurt you've suffered, or a fear which paralyzes you. Pray that God will free you to sing a new song.

Advent III - Tuesday

"The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox; but the serpent-its food shall be dust! They shall not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain," says the Lord." Isaiah 65:25

God of peace, help us to be peacemakers in the midst of conflict, to love in the face of hatred, to work for justice in the midst of oppression. Give us a vision of our world in which both people and nations treat one another with love, fairness, respect, and dignity. By your spirit empower us to transform that vision into reality in our lives. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

Think of a place in the world torn by conflict or war. Imagine that place at peace, praying that God will work in the hearts of those perpetuating the conflict and bring true peace.

Advent III - Wednesday

John said, "I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord.'" John 1:23

God who comes, give voice to our longing for justice and integrity. Support us with the voices of others so that we will not feel alone in our attempts to do what is good and right in a society more often concerned with what is profitable and expedient. By our words and our deeds, help us to prepare the way for your coming. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

Think of a time that you would like to have spoken out if only you'd had the courage. Pray that, in the future, God will give you the voice to name and confront oppression.

Advent III - Thursday

Mary said, "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior." Luke 1:46-47

God of joy, we look for your coming with the joy and expectancy of a woman pregnant with a much longed for child. The possibilities of what your coming will bring both thrill and terrify us. Our hearts are filled to overflowing with wonder and praise. Make our joy stronger than our fear, and our hope in you the guiding force in our lives. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

What are some places of joy in your life? Give thanks to God for those joys.

Advent III - Friday

"He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty."
Luke 1:52-53

God of justice, who gives good news to the lowly, heals the brokenhearted, and cares for the needs of the poor, continue to draw into your church those marginalized by society. May your church be a beacon of light in the midst of darkness, hope in the midst of despair, joy in the midst of sorrow. Draw all people to yourself and grant us the grace and humility to receive the poor and the brokenhearted with the same eagerness we like to think we would receive you. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

Think of a time in your life when you felt marginalized by society or the church. If you don't feel you've experienced marginalization, think of someone who has. Pray that God would heal those wounds of exclusion and use you and New Song to care for others who are searching for a place of safety and acceptance.

Advent III - Saturday

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

God who hears both the prayers of our lips and of our hearts, teach us to pray without ceasing. As we wait for your coming, may our words, our thoughts, our actions - even our breathing - be prayer offered to you. Teach us to open our hearts to you, hiding nothing, trusting you with our innermost thoughts and fears, offering you both our joys and our sorrows, placing ourselves in your loving care. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

What are some non-verbal ways you pray (for example - feeling joy at the sight of a beautiful sunset, caring for a friend who is ill, offering food for a community pantry)? Pray that God will show you how all of life can be prayer.

To Week IV

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