Advent Prayers, Devotions, and Collects
What is Advent?
These Advent prayers consist of both traditional and more contemporary prayers. They relate to Advent, the four-week period leading up to Christmas, when the Church anticipates the first coming of Christ at Christmas, and the second coming of Christ in the future.
More Info: Advent
The Great "O" Antiphons
December 17: O Wisdom, O Holy Word of God, You govern all creation with your strong, yet tender care. Come, and show your people the way to salvation.
December 18: O Sacred Lord of ancient Israel, who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush, who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain: Come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free.
December 19: O Flower of Jesse's stem, You have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; Kings stand silent in your presence; the nations bow down in worship before you. Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid.
December 20: O Key of David, O Royal Power of Israel Controlling at your will the gate of heaven: Come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead your captive people into freedom.
December 21: O Radiant Dawn, Splendor of eternal light, Sun of justice: Come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.
December 22: O King of all the nations, the only joy of every human heart; O Keystone of the mighty arch of man, Come and save the creature you fashioned from the dust.
December 23: O Emmanuel, King and Lawgiver Desire of the nations, Savior of all people, Come and set us free, Lord, our God!
Catholic Prayer For Christ's Triple Coming
Lamb of God,
You once came to rid the world of sin; cleanse me now from every stain of sin.
Lord, you came to save what was lost; come once again with Your salvific power so that those You redeemed will not be punished.
I have come to know You in faith; may I have unending joy when You come again in glory.
New Saint Joseph People's Prayer Book
Advent Evening Hymn (Eighth Century)
Come, Sun and Savior, to embrace Our gloomy world, its weary race,
As groom to bride, as bride to groom:
The wedding chamber, Mary's womb.
At your great Name, O Jesus, now All knees must bend, all hearts must bow;
All things on earth with one accord,
Like those in heaven, shall call you Lord.
Come in your holy might, we pray,
Redeem us for eternal day;
Defend us while we dwell below,
From all assaults of our dread foe.
Advent Prayer
Father, in the wilderness of the Jordan you sent a messenger to prepare people's hearts for the coming of your Son.
Help me to hear his words and repent of my sins, so that I may clearly see the way to walk, the truth to speak, and the life to live for Him, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Advent Prayer to be Freed from Sin and Death
God our Father, you loved the world so much you gave your only Son to free us from the ancient power of sin and death.
Help us who wait for his coming and lead us to true liberty.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Liturgy of the Hours, Fridays in Advent
Advent Prayer for Hope in Christ's Coming
All-powerful God, help us to look forward in hope to the coming of our Savior.
May we live as he taught, ready to welcome him with burning love and faith.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen
Liturgy of the Hours, Fridays in Advent
Advent Prayer for Hope
Lord Jesus Christ, who is, who was, and who is to come, we pray for the virtue of hope, that amidst the trials and difficulties of this world, we may keep our hearts fixed upon you, who reigns over the cosmos.
May your grace enliven us, strengthen us, and defend us, as we await your coming in glory.
Amen
David Bennett
Catholic Collect for the First Sunday in Advent
Stir up thy power, O Lord, and come, that by thy protection we may be rescued from the dangers that beset us through our sins; and be a Redeemer to deliver us; Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. May be said while lighting the first Advent candle.
Catholic Collect for the Second Sunday of Advent
Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the paths of thine Only-begotten Son: that we may worthily serve thee with hearts purified by His coming: Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen. May be said while lighting the second Advent candle.
Catholic Collect for the Third Sunday in Advent
We beseech thee to listen to our prayers, O Lord, and by the grace of thy coming enlighten our darkened minds: Thou who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen. May be said while lighting the third Advent candle.
Catholic Collect for the Fourth Sunday in Advent
Pour forth thy power, O Lord, and come: Assist us by that mighty power, so that by thy grace and merciful kindness we may swiftly receive the salvation that our sins impede: Who livest and reignest with thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen. May be said while lighting the fourth Advent candle.
Advent Prayer for Forgiveness and Mercy
Father, We contemplate the birth of your Son. He was born of the Virgin Mary and came to live among us. May we receive forgiveness and mercy Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Liturgy of the Hours, December 23
Advent Prayer to Follow God's Will
God of love and mercy, help us to follow the example of Mary, always ready to do your will. At the message of an angel she welcomed your eternal Son and, filled with the light of your Spirit, she became the temple of your Word, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Liturgy of the Hours, December 20
Opening Catholic Mass Prayer: Advent One
Father in heaven, our hearts desire the warmth of your love and our minds are searching for the light of your Word. Increase our longing for Christ our Savior and give us the strength to grow in love, that the dawn of his coming may find us rejoicing in his presence and welcoming the light of his truth. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.
International Committee on English in the Liturgy (ICEL)
Advent Prayer to Jesus
You are our eternal salvation,
The unfailing light of the world.
Light everlasting, You are truly our redemption.
Grieving that the human race was perishing through the tempter's power,
without leaving the heights You came to the depths in your loving kindness.
Readily taking our humanity by Your gracious will,
You saved all earthly creatures, long since lost,
Restoring joy to the world.
Redeem our souls and bodies, O Christ, and so possess us as Your shining dwellings.
By Your first coming, make us righteous;
At your second coming, set us free:
So that, when the world is filled with light and you judge all things,
We may be clad in spotless robes and follow in Your steps, O King,
Into the heavenly hall.
Unknown Author, 10th century
Alma Redemptoris Mater (Loving Mother of the Redeemer)
Loving mother of the Redeemer, gate of heaven, star of the sea, assist your people who have fallen yet strive to rise again.
To the wonderment of nature you bore your Creator, Yet remained a virgin after as before.
ou who received Gabriel's joyful greeting, have pity on us poor sinners.
Marian Antiphon traditionally said from Advent to Candlemas
Anglican Collect for the First Sunday of Advent
Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and for ever.
1979 Book of Common Prayer
Anglican Collect for the Second Sunday of Advent
Merciful God, who sent thy 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 liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
1979 Book of Common Prayer
Anglican Collect for the Third Sunday of Advent
Stir up thy power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let thy bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be honor and glory, world without end.
1979 Book of Common Prayer
Anglican Collect for the Fourth Sunday of Advent
Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that Thy Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
1979 Book of Common Prayer
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Compiled by David Bennett
Updated 11/7/2017