Daily Prayers for Advent Sharon Hinck
The First Week Of Advent All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel (which means, God with us). Matthew 1:22-23 2
Emmanuel Our Deliverer Introduction And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 Our almighty God showed his great love through the incarnation coming to be tangibly present on earth in Christ Jesus. He continues to amaze us by his ongoing presence in our lives. During this Advent season, let s celebrate the God who is with us: Jesus our Emmanuel. May these daily prayers open our eyes anew to the way Jesus comes to us, resides with us and has redeemed us. May we see his glory, full of grace and truth. Sharon Hinck, author 3
The First Week Of Advent Sunday, the First Week in Advent Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. Isaiah 60:1 Dear holy and glorious God, in the darkness of human suffering you sent your prophets with the promise of the coming light. Thank you for sending Jesus as the fulfillment of those prophesies. As we see the Advent candles, open our eyes to your brightness and rekindle our joy. Remind us that your Son was willing to battle the shadows for us. Because he is our Deliverer, we no longer sit in darkness. Through Christ we can glimpse the brightness of your glory. Amen. 4
Emmanuel Our Deliverer Monday, the First Week in Advent The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge. 2 Samuel 22:2-3 Lord Jesus, as we ponder your coming to earth, we thank you for being our protector. When dangers mount around us, we are grateful that you understand our fears and respond with both compassion and strength. We confess we often try to build our own small fortresses that only fail us. Forgive us and turn our hearts back to you, our true refuge. Deliver us from fear by the safety of your presence. Amen. 5
The First Week Of Advent Tuesday, the First Week in Advent Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father. Galatians 1:3-4 Lord Jesus, since sin entered the world, every age on this planet has been an evil age. Every news broadcast sends us a glaring reminder of how far humanity has fallen from your intent. We confess how deeply we need and long for deliverance. Jesus, you taught us to pray, Deliver us from evil, and then in your great love, you provided that very deliverance through your presence. You are both our prayer and our answer. Amen. 6
Emmanuel Our Deliverer Wednesday, the First Week in Advent And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob; and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins. Romans 11:26-27 Heavenly Father, our hearts long for the time when all will be fulfilled. We wait for all ungodliness to be banished from the very marrow of our bones. At the same time, we rejoice that although we battle a sinful nature, we are proclaimed forgiven right now. Please mold us more and more into the image of Jesus during these days of waiting. Thank you for rescuing us from sin through the life, death and resurrection of our Emmanuel. Amen. 7
The First Week Of Advent Thursday, the First Week in Advent Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. Hebrews 2:14-15 Dear Jesus, in this time when we ponder your coming, we are awestruck that you were willing to become human for our sake to be the God who is with us, our Emmanuel. Apart from you, we would be trapped in eternal slavery to sin, death and the power of the devil. Today we ask for your resurrection power to be manifested in our lives, breaking bondages, habits or addictions that enslave us. Deliver us into freedom forever. Amen. 8
In these reflective and insightful prayers for each day of Advent, focus on the amazing blessing of God himself being present with us through our Lord Emmanuel (Hebrew for God With Us ). Week by week, the prayers celebrate how Christ is with us as our Deliverer, our Savior, our Shepherd and our King and how we can be present for him as well in our Advent preparations. This book, along with many other Creative Communications for the Parish products, is available on and By Sharon Hinck. Art and design by WestParkCreative.com. 2015 Creative Communications for the Parish, 1564 Fencorp Dr., Fenton, MO 63026. www.creativecommunications.com. 1-800-325-9414. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA. ML5