Advent Candle Lighting Prayers from Jerusalem

As I was preparing worship services for the upcoming Advent season, I found that many of the available Advent candle prayers and litanies didn't really speak to our context here in Jerusalem.
Here is what I came up with for this year. Feel free to use them, and adapt them to your own context!

Peace,
Carrie

Pastoral Intern Rachel Graaf-Leslie lights the Advent candles
with the children of Redeemer Church, December 2014
Photo by Danae Hudson/ELCJHL

ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING PRAYERS  

From Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Jerusalem

Written by Pastor Carrie Smith

Congregation speaks the words in bold print.

ADVENT 1: WE ARE WAITING

As we gather on this first Sunday of Advent, we are waiting:

For peace

For justice

For a political solution

We are waiting

For a city without division

For a land without walls

For a world without war

We are waiting

For a love that is louder than hate

For a hope that is stronger than fear

For a light that shines in the darkness

We are waiting

For Jesus to be born in our hearts again!  

Holy God, you said the days are surely coming when justice and righteousness will rule this land, and Jerusalem will live in safety. We light one candle today for the hope that those days are indeed coming soon. Guide us by this light until the day of your coming. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

ADVENT 2: WE ARE LISTENING

On this second Sunday of Advent, we are listening:

To breaking news

To security alerts

To police sirens and tear gas launchers

We are listening

To politicians

To preachers

To predictions of war

We are listening

For a word of hope

For a word of peace

For a word of life.

We are listening

For Jesus, the Word made flesh, to speak to our hearts again!

Holy God, you sent John to be the voice crying out in the wilderness, preparing the way for Christ’s coming. Help us to listen to the voices of the prophets of this age. Tune our ears to hear those who speak your love, your mercy, and your peace. We light the second candle today to remind us that you are still speaking. Guide us by this light until the day of your coming. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

ADVENT 3: WE ARE REJOICING

On this third Sunday of Advent, we are rejoicing:

In our achievements

In our blessings

In our holiday celebrations

We are rejoicing

Far from family

Far from home

Far from those we love

We are rejoicing

At all times

In all places

Because you are near.

We are rejoicing

For Jesus will soon be born in our hearts again!

Holy God, because you are near we are able to rejoice in all circumstances—even far from home, and even in times of conflict. We light the third candle today for the joy of knowing that Christmas is one week closer, and Jesus is coming soon. Guide us by this light until the day of your coming. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

ADVENT 4: WE ARE MAKING PEACE

On this fourth Sunday of Advent, we are making peace:

Across borders

Across checkpoints

Across cultures

We are making peace

With our friends

With our enemies

With our history

We are making peace

For the sake of our neighbor

For the sake of our children

For the sake of the world

We are making peace

For Jesus, the Prince of Peace, will soon be born in our hearts again!

Holy God, it was prophesied that the One of Peace would come out of Bethlehem. We light the fourth candle for the peace the world knows through the baby born to Mary. Help us to be peacemakers, not just at Christmastime, but throughout the year. Guide us by this light until the day of your coming. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.