Bothering with Advent (Advent primer video, 10 min.)
Prayer Star Devotional Resource
One of the Seminary's ways of saying thank you is to provide (without charge) a devotional resources for individuals and in bulk to congregations requesting them. The resource consists of a worship format for individual or household use, and prayers written by students, spouses, faculty and staff.
This resource is automatically sent to alumni/ae and all those who receive mail from the seminary. Additional bulk orders for congregations are filled on a first come, first served basis as long as supplies last.
The star comes partially folded, with tabs for you to secure it in the shape of a star (see photo) provide prayer time designed for morning, evening, or mealtime use.
Questions: call 1- 800 MLUTHER ext 3011
2011 Advent Prayers
Advent Week One
Sunday, November 27
Mark 13:24-37
Almighty and merciful God, you show your power in the tiny fist of an infant grasping at his mother’s breast, the power of love incarnate, of mercy and servanthood. Your strength seeks not to destroy, but to bring life, even to the weakest among us. Stir up within us the desire to seek your power in all that we say and do. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
Rev. Virginia Price, Director of Admissions and Coordinator of Spiritual Formation
Monday, November 28
Micah 4:1-5
Loving God, we thank you for the gifts of courage and wisdom. Keep us ever mindful of your call to peace and justice. Bless this meal, that we may be nourished and strengthened for service. In Advent hope we pray in the name of your son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Jason Felici, Student, West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod
Tuesday, November 29
Revelations 18:1-10
God of all creation, heaven and earth are full of your love. We are blessed through your son Jesus Christ in whom we find forgiveness. As we dwell in the darkness of Sheol, spare us your wrath and punishment. In your promise of grace and mercy, care for all the nations as we wait for the birth of
the Messiah. Let us open our hearts and minds to find peace in Jesus as we gather around the table of this meal. Amen
Del Akech Del, Student, Lower Susquehanna Synod
Wednesday, November 30
Luke 21:34-38
Merciful God, we pray for strength to watch and wait for your coming. Give us ears to hear you and a heart that trusts in you rather than the things of this world. Grant us new hope in the face of your great holiness as you lift us up to stand before your Son, our teacher, healer, and Savior. Amen
Jean Caudill, Student, Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod
Thursday, December 1
Hosea 6:1-6
Gracious God, you desire steadfast love from us. Infuse your Spirit within us that we may return to you with heart, mind, and soul. And in our turning to you, increase our joy in the abundance of food with which you have blessed us. Instill in us a burning desire to share the plenty of our table with those who experience scarcity. In Jesus’ name. Amen
Rev. Dr. William O. Avery, Acting Dean; (Retired) Professor of Field Education, and the Arthur L. Larson Professor of Stewardship and Parish Ministry
Friday, December 2
Jeremiah 1:4-10
Gracious God, like a mother, you knew each of us even before we were formed in the womb. May this understanding give us the courage to go where you send us and speak your love. God of new life, may we be attuned to what you are birthing in our midst. Amen
Julie Bringman, Student, Metropolitan D.C. Synod
Saturday, December 3
Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13
God of peace, open our ears to hear your word of peace this Advent season. Prepare us to welcome Jesus, the one who forgives us our iniquities and pardons our sins. Inspire us to live out your vision for peace by responding to others in ways that are forgiving, loving, faithful, righteous, and peaceful. Amen
Cassandra Lamb, Student, South Dakota Synod
Advent Week Two
Sunday, December 4
2 Peter 3:8-15a
Lord God, we thank you for your patience and steadfast love. You desire your salvation for all your people, and our Lord Jesus Christ brings the living water of forgiveness and eternal life. Our hearts prayerfully prepare for the coming forth of our Savior. Enlighten our hearts and let your light shine upon us so that we may share your love. Come Lord Jesus, come. Come, Emanuel, come. Amen
James Lightner, Student, Delaware-Maryland Synod
Monday, December 5
Acts 2:37-42
Redeemer God, remind us daily of our baptism and the gift of the Holy Spirit you have given to us. May we remember that your promise is for all whom you call, and that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. Let us remember your teachings and share our table with those who wish to dine with you. Amen
Ryan Kobert, Student, Allegheny Synod
Tuesday, December 6
Isaiah 4:2-6
O God our protector, you shield us in the storms of life and give us your light in the darkness. We thank you for the gifts you give us, and ask that you guide our minds and hearts through this season of Advent, reminding us of what is important and what is not. As we await your coming, keep us steadfast in your love so that we might be beautiful in your eyes. Amen.
Barbara Krumm, Student, Virginia Synod
Wednesday, December 7
Luke 1:5-17
O God, help us to recognize the angel messengers in our lives and believe in your miracles. Let us know that even if we don’t appear to be anybody “special,” you use each one of us in special ways, just as you did Zechariah, to complete your “great plan.” This Advent season open our hearts to invite you, through your son Jesus, to claim more of our lives for your service. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen
Roberta Brent, Acquisitions Assistant, Wentz Library
Thursday, December 8
Philippians 3:7-11
Lord, as we prepare for your coming, help us to remember that you alone are the most precious jewel, and the only one that deserves our praise and admiration. Help us to keep focused on the gifts that you provide and keep our hearts and minds fixed on the true treasure of all that you give. Remind us that all the things of this world will eventually pass away. In your name we pray. Amen
Ruth Moberg Foster, Student, New England Synod
Friday, December 9
Habakkuk 3:2-6
O heavenly One, as we await the birth of Christ Jesus, please help us to continue to stand in awe of your marvelous creation. May we be reminded of your gracious mercy especially in our times of need. Please bless this food to our bodies as we continue to spread your Word. Amen
Elizabeth Burris, Spouse of Student, North Carolina Synod
Saturday, December 10
Psalm 126
Gracious and loving God, please be ever near to us and guide our daily lives as we prepare our hearts for your promise of restoration through Jesus Christ. Nourish us with your true Word and
pour upon us the spirit of compassion, your desire for peace, and your precious love for all creation. Bless us and keep us with hope and joy in all the days to come. Amen
Betty Deuchler, Student, Delaware-Maryland Synod
Advent Week Three
Sunday, December 11
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
Good and gracious God, you quench our eternal thirst in the waters of baptism. You are stead-fast in our joys and sorrows. Bless this food and let it nourish our bodies, hearts and minds that we may be your faithful servants in the world. Amen
Chad Fair, Student, Lower Susquehanna Synod
Monday, December 12
Ephesians 6:10-17
Heavenly One, we thank you for our daily bread that sustains life. You are a shield of hope in times of struggle. Help us stand firm against the flaming arrows of trouble that we face this day. Protect us with the helmet of salvation, and that sword of the spirit that is your word. Defend us against all physical or spoken violence and help us see that you are always with us. This we ask in the name of Jesus, our Lord. Amen
Adriano Hugentobler Ayres, Student, Metropolitan D.C. Synod
Tuesday, December 13
2 Kings 2:9-22
God, we thank you for sending to us Jesus, your Son and the mediator of your new covenant. We recognize that we are not faultless, but through the new covenant, you repair our brokenness and claim us all as your people. Stir up in each of us the hope found only in your promise. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
Jessica Hamme-Felici, Student, Lower Susquehanna Synod
Wednesday, December 14
Mark 9:9-13
Holy Creator, grant us wisdom in the face of questions, patience in the face of the unknown, and strength in the face of circumstances we cannot control. In this Advent let us be reminded of the glory of God and God’s love for God’s people. We are thankful for how you provide for us through the birth of Christ. Even though we cannot understand God’s love, we open ourselves to it and accept our call to live in God’s light. Amen.
Joel Bussard, Student, Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod
Thursday, December 15
Hebrews 1:1-4
Majestic Lord, in quiet awe we wait once more to greet your Son, already come and glorified in you! He’s on his way again to bless our undeserving minds and hearts and bodies too. Accept our thanks as from this humble table place we glimpse once more your reconciling ever awesome grace. Amen
Carol Black, Student, Upper Susquehanna Synod
Friday, December 16
2 Samuel 6:12-19
Blessed God, we come to you with rejoicing hearts. Help us to dance as David did before you. Guide us to be brave when others may despise us for what you have given us. Teach us to share what we have with others, so they may know God’s blessings. May Jesus be in the home of everyone. Amen
Dennis Probst, Student, West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod
Saturday, December 17
Psalm 89:1-4, 19-24
God, our strength and our song, we give you thanks for our breath and our being. We know that even in adversity you hold us fast and in times of uncertainty, you give us vision. We ask that you help us see your steadfast love as we await your coming again. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen
Rev. John Spangler, Executive Assistant to the President for Communication and Planning
Advent Week Four
Sunday, December 18
Romans 16: 25-27
Loving God, you hold the universe in your hand, and fill every corner of the cosmos with your presence. The starry sky reflects your beauty, and the winter trees whisper your name. We give you thanks for your continuing mercies in every aspect of our lives. Guide us with your Spirit, that we might glorify you in all we say and do, serving our neighbor in the name of the one for whom we wait. Amen
Rev. Dr. Kristen Johnson Largen, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology
Monday, December 19
Luke 1:6b-55
Gracious God, we pause to give thanks for the bountiful table set before us, be the fare lean or abundant − your hand has provided. We ask that you would birth in us those precious gifts to be shared with a sick and dying world, that will make the abundance of your kingdom known. Help us to share your joy in the blessed name of Jesus. Amen
Rev. Bruce Points, Student and Pastor of Bethel AME Church in Carlisle, PA
Tuesday, December 20
Hebrews 8:1-13
Holy and gracious Lord, as we prepare to celebrate the birth of your son, Jesus Christ, we give thanks for all we have, knowing that you have generously provided. Help us not to be lost or blinded by the traditions we hold and allow us to see a new way, a better way: the way of Christ. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen
Jessica Lee, Student, Lower Susquehanna Synod
Wednesday, December 21
Mark 11:1-11
Heavenly One, we thank you for the way in which you stooped down riding on a colt taking on the form of a servant. We cry Hosanna! Save us from anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness, from lives of depression and aimlessness. Save our churches from becoming stale and make your church a house of prayer for all people and all nations! Cleanse your church. Cleanse your temple. God, save us now! Amen
Aaron Reynolds, Student, Pentecostal
Thursday, December 22
Zephaniah 3:8-13
Oh God who reigns over all nations, help us to be humble in heart and spirit. We await the promise of your coming that we may be restored to you in worship and peace. Thank you for your enduring love for your people in the past, present, and the days to come. Amen
Donna Rutten, Student, Rocky Mountain Synod
Friday, December 23
Romans 13:11-14
O Lord, wake us up! You are full of the light of salvation, yet we are often blind to your activity in our lives. Guide us as we struggle to turn away from darkness and toward you. Awaken our sight so that we may truly see you in the incarnation of your son, Jesus Christ. Amen
Julie Scheibel, Student, Metro Chicago
Saturday, December 24
Titus 2:11-14
Loving God, we give you thanks for the one who came into our world to experience life as we know it and to redeem us from our human sin. May our Christmas celebration please you and express great meaning for our life and our living. Enable us daily to express our joy in the Christ-Event in lives of service to you and to all those you have created. Amen
Rev. Kirk Bish, Seminary Board member, Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod
Sunday, December 25
John 1:1-14
O Holy Word, you have spoken in a new way in this New Day! You have said “Yes” to us and to the
entire creation. You have declared, “My best Gift of all I give to you − my own self in my beloved Child Jesus.” You − full of grace and truth − have shone Divine Light upon us and into our darkened world. With the angels and shepherds, we adore you and sing forth, “Thanks be to God, Emmanuel!” Amen
Rev. Michael Cooper-White, 12th and current President, Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg