Looking for some advent prayers to pray over your space as you head into the Christmas season? Let’s dive into some scriptures and prayers to say before you jump into the festivities!

Instead of decking the halls right away, let’s say some advent prayers over our homes. We want this season to be filled with God’s presence. We want to remember the meaning behind the manger and ensure that doesn’t get forgotten with all the lights and cookies we start baking.

I’ve come to realize that it’s important to lay the foundation for things before you jump in. Setting up decorations and getting ready for Christmas without establishing what Christmas is about changes the focus.

Advent means “coming” or “arrival” – we’re preparing for Jesus’ coming. And we want our children to be prepared, not for presents but His presence.

Luke 2:19 says “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” The heart of everything, our hearts, is where we keep Jesus. Let’s make this season sacred and start it off right by preparing our hearts and homes for Jesus with these advent prayers!

Three Scriptures and Advent Prayers 

Isaiah 9:6 – Preparing for the Prince of Peace

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

This scripture tells us who Jesus is. Not just His names but what He will bring into our world and our home! Before we jump into the Christmas season, let’s meditate on what it means for Jesus to be in our lives.

Meditating on This Verse:

• Wonderful Counselor: He brings wisdom to our parenting, our decisions, our chaos
• Mighty God: He is powerful enough to handle our struggles
• Everlasting Father: He is the ultimate parent, showing us how to love
• Prince of Peace: He brings peace to our chaotic, busy homes

As you get decorations out this year, pray that Jesus would fill your home with His peace. That this season would be a reminder to slow down and enjoy the rest He has to offer!

Make your advent prayer one of peace. Asking that God would fill your family with the peace of Jesus!

Say this advent prayer:

“Heavenly Father, as we enter this holiday season, help us focus on who Jesus is. Help us seek His wisdom, His peace and His love. Let our homes be places that reflect this, so our families and friends know He is present with us in this time of celebration. Amen!”

For more on the names of Jesus, do this weekly devotional with your children to prepare them this week for Christmas!

Scripture 2: Luke 1:46-49 – The Posture of Preparation

“And Mary said: ‘My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of his humble servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name.’”

This was Mary’s response when she learned she would carry Jesus. Think about her heart posture, she calls herself a “humble servant.” She praises and worships God for the gift He has given her. She surrenders her life to Him, she doesn’t push back against His will.

We accept Christmas because it is joyful and fun, but it’s important to remember that the first Christmas didn’t come with lights and decorations. We should spend time before we jump into the hectic season quietly praising God and seeking His will for this coming season.

Make your advent prayer one of humility, offering yourself and your gifts to God.

Meditating on This Verse:

• “My soul glorifies the Lord” – Worship first, before understanding
• “My spirit rejoices” – Joy even in the unknown
• “He has been mindful of his humble servant” – God sees us, knows us, comes to us
• “The Mighty One has done great things” – Remembering His faithfulness

Pray that your family would seek humility and praise this Christmas. That worship would be on your tongues. Pray that God’s joy would fill your space, be present around you and that your heart posture would be one that glorifies Him!

Say this advent prayer:

“Lord I pray that we would enter this season with humility and praise. Help us to focus on your will, accepting the unknown because we know you provide good things. Help us to remember your faithfulness and to worship you with all our hearts this season. Amen.”

My kids love singing and listening to worship music. Get a good playlist ready for Christmas. One with Christmas music but mix some Christian songs in there too so you can praise God as you go about your day!

Scripture 3: John 1:14 – The Word Became Flesh (God With Us)

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

God took on human form, He became a living, breathing being. This is what we are celebrating, Emmanuel, God with us. He didn’t love us from afar, He came near. He made His dwelling among ordinary people.

Make this Christmas about His presence, about His nearness to you and your family.

Meditating on This Verse:

• “The Word became flesh” – The eternal God took on human form for us
• “Made his dwelling among us” – He came to BE WITH US, in our mess
• “We have seen his glory” – The glory of God in a manger, in a home, in everyday life
• “Full of grace and truth” – He brings both to our homes

Pray that you would recognize God’s presence this holiday season. As you set up decorations, make cookies or participate in family traditions, remind your children that Jesus is with you in that activity. 

Say this advent prayer: 

“Heavenly Father, I pray this we would feel your nearness this season. You came to be with us, in the mess and chaos, you are here. Be present in our everyday activities. Bring grace and truth into our home this Christmas and always! Amen.”

Preparing the Way

It’s important to prepare, even for a holiday that comes around every year. Christmas can be full of distractions, good distractions but distractions nonetheless. When we spend time before things get chaotic, we have a foundation to focus on when things get busy.

Before the decorations god up, let prayer god up. Before the busyness begins, let worship begin. Before you tell the nativity story, prepare your heart to receive it.

Pray these advent prayers and scriptures over your space and with your family. Set their hearts on Jesus. When we seek him first, everything else falls into place. Prepare the way of the Lord by praying over your season before it begins!

Want to prepare your heart and home this Christmas? Grab my devotional and planner (in one!) that will help you focus on the reason for the season and plan at the same time – Preparing Your Heart and Home for Christmas available on Amazon!

For more about seeking Jesus at Christmas time, read “Seeking Rest at Christmas.”

And for a fun nativity activity with your kids, try my “Nativity Trail Mix!“