Advent Prayer for Lighting First Candle of Advent Wreath

Dear God, help us to remain hopeful and to trust in you no matter the trials and troubles life brings. This first week of Advent, help us remember that we are your people and that you are our God. Help us get our priorities straight and put the most important things first — loving God and loving our neighbor.

• Holy Spirit, guide the choices we make throughout this week so that we choose to do what honors our creator and what shows our love of others.

• Father in heaven, we offer thanks to you for the many gifts and talents you have given to all the people on the earth, to our family and friends, to the neighbors we know and the neighbors we have yet to befriend.

• Come, Lord Jesus. Come into our hearts, so that when the time comes, we will be prepared to join you in everlasting joy.