Advent prayers are the prayers we pray in the four weeks before Christmas as we wait for the coming of Christ. In 2026, Advent begins on Sunday, November 29 and runs through Christmas Eve on December 24. This guide gives you a prayer for each week, the meaning of every candle on the Advent wreath, and the Scriptures that carry the season.
You do not need a wreath, a perfect schedule, or a church tradition to pray these. You need a few quiet minutes and a willing heart. If you miss a day, begin again where you are. Advent is an invitation, not an exam.
What Is Advent?
The word Advent comes from the Latin adventus, which means coming. It is the season in which the church looks back to the first coming of Jesus in Bethlehem and forward to His coming again in glory. Western churches treat it as the start of the Christian year, and each Sunday has its own focus that leads the heart closer to Christmas.
Two things are held together in Advent: gratitude that He has come, and hope that He will come again.
Luke 21:28 (KJV): “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”
The Advent Wreath: What Each Candle Means
The Advent wreath grew out of German Lutheran practice in the nineteenth century and is now used by Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, and many other congregations and families. A circle of evergreens holds four candles, and one more is lit each Sunday. Traditions differ slightly, so follow the pattern your church or family keeps. This is the most common one.
- First candle, Hope (purple). Lit on the first Sunday of Advent, November 29, 2026. It points to the promises and prophecies that God would send a Savior.
- Second candle, Peace (purple). Lit on December 6. It remembers Bethlehem and the Prince of Peace.
- Third candle, Joy (pink or rose). Lit on December 13. In Catholic and many other traditions this Sunday is called Gaudete Sunday, from the Latin word for rejoice.
- Fourth candle, Love (purple). Lit on December 20. It celebrates the love of God shown in the coming of His Son.
- The Christ candle (white). Lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. It stands for Jesus, the Light of the world.
Some traditions name the four candles after the Prophets, Bethlehem, the Shepherds, and the Angels. The meaning is the same: the whole story of His coming, lit one candle at a time.
To use the wreath, read the Scripture, light the candle or candles for that week, pray, and sit in silence for a minute before the day goes on.
Advent Prayers for Each Week
Each week below has a Scripture, a way to enter God’s presence, and a short prayer. Pray it at the wreath, at the table, or alone before the day begins.
Week 1: A Prayer of Hope
Sunday, November 29, 2026
Isaiah 9:2 (KJV): “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.”
Enter His presence. Be still for a moment. Thank God that He is near and that He keeps His promises.
The prayer. Lord Jesus, You are the great light that has shined on those who walked in darkness (Isaiah 9:2). I light this candle for hope. Where my hope has grown tired, renew it. I wait for You, and in Your word do I hope (Psalm 130:5). You came once as You promised, and You will come again. Teach me to wait without fear and to watch without worry. Because You are faithful, I will lift up my head, for my redemption draws near (Luke 21:28). Amen.
Declaration. I declare that the light of Christ shines in the darkness (John 1:5), and I will walk in it this week.
Week 2: A Prayer of Peace
Sunday, December 6, 2026
Isaiah 9:6 (KJV): “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
Enter His presence. Come before you ask for anything. Name who He is: Wonderful, Counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
The prayer. Prince of Peace, I come to You before I ask for anything. I light this candle for peace. Quiet the noise in my home and in my mind. Where there is conflict, make me a peacemaker. Where there is worry, let the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep my heart and mind through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). Prepare the way in me as You prepared the way in Bethlehem, and let me welcome You with a settled heart. Amen.
Declaration. I declare that Christ is my peace (Ephesians 2:14), and I receive His peace today.
Week 3: A Prayer of Joy
Sunday, December 13, 2026
Luke 2:10-11 (KJV): “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”
Enter His presence. Breathe slowly and thank Him for one good thing from this week, however small.
The prayer. Father, thank You for good tidings of great joy, for all people (Luke 2:10). I light this candle for joy. Joy is not a mood I have to produce. It is a gift that came down at Bethlehem, where a Savior was born, Christ the Lord (Luke 2:11). Restore my joy where tiredness or grief has taken it. Let me rejoice with the shepherds and share the good news with someone this week. May the God of hope fill me with all joy and peace in believing (Romans 15:13). Amen.
Declaration. I declare that the joy of the Lord is my strength (Nehemiah 8:10).
If this season is heavy for you, joy can sit beside sorrow. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18), and you are welcome to pray this week’s prayer as an honest ask rather than a feeling you already have.
Week 4: A Prayer of Love
Sunday, December 20, 2026
1 John 4:9 (KJV): “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.”
Enter His presence. Ask Him to show you how He has loved you this year, then rest in that for a moment.
The prayer. God of love, You showed Your love by sending Your only Son into the world, that we might live through Him (1 John 4:9). I light this candle for love. Fill my heart with the love that gives itself away. Where I have been hard, soften me. Where I have held on to an offense, set me free. Help me to love my family, my neighbors, and the ones who are difficult to love, because You first loved us (1 John 4:19). Make my home a place where Christ is welcome. Amen.
Declaration. I declare that I am loved with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3).
The Christ Candle: A Prayer for Christmas Eve
John 1:14 (KJV): “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
Lord Jesus, tonight the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). I light the Christ candle, for You are the light of the world (John 8:12). Thank You for Immanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23). Bless this home, this table, and every person who is missing from it. You came, You are with us, and You are coming again. Let Your light stay when the candles are out. Amen.
Advent Scriptures for the Season
If you read only one verse a day, these carry you from the first Sunday to Christmas Eve.
- Isaiah 2:5 (KJV): “O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD.”
- Isaiah 7:14 (KJV): “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
- Luke 1:78-79 (KJV): “Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
- Revelation 22:20 (KJV): “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”
- Micah 5:2: the promise of a ruler from Bethlehem.
- Matthew 1:18-25: Joseph and the name Immanuel.
- Luke 1:26-38: the angel’s message to Mary.
- Luke 1:46-55: Mary’s song of praise, the Magnificat.
A Simple Daily Advent Rhythm
Advent works best when it is small enough to keep. Five minutes is enough.
- Morning: read one verse from the list above and pray one sentence back to God.
- Evening: name one thing you are thankful for from the day.
- Sunday: light the candle for the week and pray that week’s prayer.
- When you miss a day: do not catch up. Begin again the next morning. Grace does not keep a ledger.
Advent Prayers for Families and Children
Children understand Advent through the candle. Light it at dinner, read one verse aloud, and let each person say one thing they are thankful for. Then pray something short together.
A family prayer. Dear Jesus, thank You for coming to be with us. Help us get ready for Christmas by loving each other and waiting with hope. Light our home with Your love. Amen.
FAQ
When does Advent start in 2026?
Advent begins on Sunday, November 29, 2026 and ends on Christmas Eve, December 24. It always starts on the fourth Sunday before Christmas.
What do the four Advent candles mean?
In the most common tradition they stand for hope, peace, joy, and love, with a white Christ candle added at Christmas. Some churches name them after the Prophets, Bethlehem, the Shepherds, and the Angels.
What is a good short Advent prayer?
The oldest Advent prayer is a single line from the last chapter of the Bible: “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20). You can pray it morning and night all season.
Do I need an Advent wreath to pray these prayers?
No. A candle, a table, or a quiet chair is enough. The wreath is a help, not a requirement.
Can I start Advent late?
Yes. If you begin in the second or third week, start with that week’s prayer and keep going. There is no wrong day to begin waiting for Christ.
Is Advent only for Catholics?
No. Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, and many other churches keep Advent, and many families outside those traditions have joined them.
More in this theme
- Christmas prayers, the full guide to praying through the season
- Christmas devotional prayers for each day of December
- Christmas Eve prayers for the night itself
- A Christmas morning prayer to begin the day
- Christmas prayers for family to pray around the table
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