A prayer service for the second week of Advent: Isaiah

Last week we read God’s promises to Abraham that he would bless the whole world through one of Abraham’s descendants. Throughout the Old Testament, God continued to speak his promises, often to prophets—people he chose to proclaim his message. One of these prophets was Isaiah. God gave Isaiah many warnings to share with his nation because his people were following outward rituals of worshiping God, but their hearts were full of evil. They worshiped pagan gods and they neglected the poor and suffering people in their communities.

Isaiah’s prophecies foretold judgment, but the message didn’t end there. God promised that the nation would be in captivity for a time, but then would be restored, and a Messiah would come—first as a suffering Savior but eventually as a conquering king. The dark times would end, and God’s light would dawn on his people.

Reading in a group? Read the bold print in unison.
For a printable version with a simple reading for children, and a picture to color, click Advent Second Candle Prayer.

…Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord. (Isaiah 2:5)

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. (Isaiah 9:2)
Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the voice of his servant?
Let him who walks in darkness and has no light
trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God. (Isaiah 50:10)
Then shall your light break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up speedily;
your righteousness shall go before you;
the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. (Isaiah 58:8 NLT)

…Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord. (Isaiah 2:5)

If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted,
then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.
(Isaiah 58:10)
The sun shall be no more your light by day,
nor for brightness shall the moon give you light;
but the Lord will be your everlasting light,
and your God will be your glory. (Isaiah 60:19)
Your sun shall no more go down, nor your moon withdraw itself;
for the Lord will be your everlasting light,
and your days of mourning shall be ended. (Isaiah 60:20)

…Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord. (Isaiah 2:5)

He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.
Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted;
but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:29-31)
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever,
for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. (Isaiah 26:3-4)
And the Lord will guide you continually
and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong;
and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water,
whose waters do not fail. (Isaiah 58:11)

…Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord. (Isaiah 2:5)

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)
For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand;
it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” (Isaiah 41:13)
…“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you. (Isaiah 43:1-2)

…Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord. (Isaiah 2:5)

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. (Isaiah 9:6-7)
There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.
And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. (Isaiah 11:1-2)

…Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord. (Isaiah 2:5)
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. (Isaiah 9:2)

Father in Heaven,
When our seasons of darkness seem never-ending, you give us hope of your light.
We trust in your name, and we rely on you, our God.
We trust that you can give power to the faint,
And strength to those who have no might.
We wait for you to renew our strength,
To keep us in your perfect peace
And to guide us continually.
When we fear, remind us of your presence.
When we stumble, uphold us with your right hand.
Help us to walk in your light,
To follow your guidance and worship you not only outwardly but with our whole lives.
In the Name of Your Son,
The Wonderful Counsellor
The Mighty God
The Everlasting Father
The Prince of Peace
Amen.