Advent Darkness Prayer

God, you created this cold and dark time of waiting,
where the sun is far away and our part of the world sleeps.
Thank you for trees whose structural beauty is revealed in nakedness,
and for evergreens, giving us pleasure in this gray season.
Thank you for snow, blanketing the earth in white.
Thank you for all the animals, snug in their winter beds,
and for birds which are travelling from Canada to tropical places.
Thank you for the harvest whose stored bounty we still enjoy;
root vegetables, apples, and even last spring’s harvest of maple syrup.
Thank you for the dark of night, and all the stars of heaven.
Thank you for the sound of the wind.
Thank you for warm houses and comfortable beds.
Thank you for winter. 

Thank you for advent, this time of darkness where we wait for you.
This season we are particularly waiting for peace in the Middle East.
There is so much unrest and violence, from Syria to Gaza to Iraq…
God of grace, where is your Prince of Peace?
Help us to find our way in the dark,
give us light, give us leaders who can see the light.
Thank you for our government,
and for the political stability our country enjoys.
Give our prime minister and his government wisdom
as they make far-reaching decisions about foreign policy,
foreign aid and the environment. 

There are also places in our own lives, where we walk in darkness.
Forgive us for the times where we have chosen darkness;
chosen cruelty, chosen meanness, chosen stinginess,
where we have not extended love where we had the chance.
Give us opportunities this week to apologize to people where we need to,
so that we can enter the Christmas season at peace with our families,
our co-workers, our neighbours.
For those among us who suffer from from sickness, grief, depression;
bring your comfort and healing love.
And now in this moment of silence,
we offer up to you the prayers of our heart, that only you know;

Thank you that you are Immanuel, God with us,
even in this dark season of waiting.   Amen.

New Book Coming Soon!

Carol Penner has written a devotional book for Lent that explores the challenges of repentance and forgiveness. Forty reflections and prayers to deepen your walk with God as you prepare for Easter.  

You can order it here!

About Carol Penner

I am a Mennonite pastor currently teaching theology at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo, Ontario. I’ve served congregations in Ontario and most recently, Alberta.

I love to write and to lead worship! If you are finding my writing helpful, I would love to hear from you! Feel free to use or adapt the material here, it is all written by me. If printing material, please credit “Copyright Carol Penner www.leadinginworship.com” (and say whether you modified it). If publishing, please contact me for permission. Contact me at carol@leadinginworship.com

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