Advent is the four weeks of waiting before Christmas. Many churches and families mark each week by lighting one more candle and praying around a theme: hope, peace, joy and love. It’s a simple way to slow down in the busiest month of the year and make room for Jesus before the presents and the parties take over.
Here are short Advent prayers for each week, a prayer for lighting the candle, and prayers for anyone whose heart feels more anxious than festive this December. In 2026, Advent begins on Sunday, November 29, and the four Sundays are November 29, December 6, December 13 and December 20.
Short on time? A 1-minute Advent prayer for today
Lord Jesus, in all the rush of this season, I stop and wait for You. Quiet my mind. Fill the empty places in me with Your hope, Your peace, Your joy and Your love. Help me remember that Christmas is not about getting everything done; it’s about You coming close. Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.
“I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.”
Psalm 130:5 (NIV)
Advent prayers for each week
Week 1 (Nov 29): An Advent prayer for hope
God of hope, as we light the first candle, we admit how much we need You. Some of us are tired, some are worried and some have stopped expecting good things. Remind us that You keep Your promises. Just as You sent Jesus when the world was waiting, You have not forgotten us. Fill us with hope that doesn’t depend on how this year went. Amen.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13 (NIV)
Week 2 (Dec 6): An Advent prayer for peace
Prince of Peace, as we light the second candle, calm what is restless in us. Quiet our racing thoughts, soften our tense relationships and slow our hurried days. Give us the peace You promised, the kind the world can’t give and can’t take away. Make our home a place of peace this Christmas. Amen.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 14:27 (NIV)
Week 3 (Dec 13): An Advent prayer for joy
Lord, as we light the third candle, we choose joy. Not because everything is easy, but because You came. Like the shepherds who heard the good news in an ordinary field on an ordinary night, help us notice You in our ordinary days. Let our joy be real and let it spill over to the people around us. Amen.
“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”
Luke 2:10-11 (NIV)
Week 4 (Dec 20): An Advent prayer for love
Father, as we light the fourth candle, we remember that You loved the world so much You gave Your Son. Teach us to love like that: patiently, generously and without keeping score. Show us someone who needs Your love this week, and help us be the ones who bring it. Amen.
“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.”
1 John 4:9 (NIV)
Christmas Eve: A prayer for the Christ candle
Jesus, tonight we light the center candle for You. You are the light that shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Thank You for coming to us. Be born again in our hearts tonight and stay with us long after the decorations come down. Amen.
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
John 1:5 (NIV)
A short prayer for lighting the Advent candle
Use this each week before the weekly prayer above. Let a child light the candle, then read it together:
Jesus, Light of the world, as we light this candle, shine Your light in our home and in our hearts. We are waiting for You. Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.””
John 8:12 (NIV)
Advent prayers for an anxious heart
December can be hard on anxious people: packed calendars, money pressure, family expectations, the feeling that everyone else is merrier than you. Advent is a good fit for that, because it’s a season of honest waiting, not forced cheer.
A prayer when December feels overwhelming
Lord, my list is long and my chest is tight. I don’t want to miss this season by rushing through it. Help me let go of what doesn’t matter, say no without guilt and keep my eyes on You. You came quietly, in a stable. Help me make some quiet room for You too. Amen.
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
When the worry won’t let up, our prayers for anxiety and prayers for overthinking are short enough to pray mid-spiral.
A prayer for waiting on God
God, I’m waiting on You for something that matters to me. Waiting is hard. Advent reminds me that Your people waited a long time for the Messiah, and You came right on time. Help me wait with hope instead of fear, and trust that You are working even when I can’t see it. Amen.
“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
An Advent prayer at night
Jesus, the day is done and the candles are out. Thank You that You came into the night, not after it. Watch over my family as we sleep, and let me wake tomorrow still expecting You. Amen.
“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.”
Psalm 4:8 (NIV)
For more bedtime prayers, see our night prayers.
How to pray through Advent as a family
- Pick one night a week. Sunday dinner is easy to remember. Light the candles, read the weekly prayer and one verse.
- No wreath? No problem. Four ordinary candles on a plate work just as well.
- Give kids a job. One lights the candle, one reads the verse, one blows it out.
- Add one daily verse. Read one verse a day from our short Christmas Bible verses list.
- End with gratitude. Ask, “Where did we see God this week?” before you pray.
On Christmas Day itself, our Christmas prayers for family are written to be read aloud at the table.
Keep a quiet moment every night this season
If December crowds out your time with God, start small. Get 7 Nights of Peace, a free short bedtime prayer in your inbox each night for a week, or take the free 2-minute anxiety check-in if the season is weighing on you more than usual.
Frequently asked questions
What are the four themes of Advent?
Many churches use hope, peace, joy and love for the four Sundays of Advent, with a center candle for Jesus lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Some traditions order the themes differently; any order works for family prayer.
When does Advent start in 2026?
Advent begins on Sunday, November 29, 2026, the fourth Sunday before Christmas. The other Advent Sundays are December 6, 13 and 20.
What is a short Advent prayer?
“Come, Lord Jesus. Fill my heart with Your hope, peace, joy and love as I wait for Christmas. Amen.” It’s short enough to pray each time you light the candle.
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Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.