Advent Prayers for Kids
Advent asks grown-ups to wait patiently for four whole weeks. That's hard enough for an adult, and it can feel like forever to a child.
A kid-sized Advent prayer keeps the season simple: one short line to say together each week as you light the wreath candle, plus an even shorter one to say each day as you open the next window on the Advent calendar. Say them at dinner, at bedtime, or right before lighting the candle, the same words every time, so your child starts to know them by heart before Christmas Eve arrives.
A Prayer for Lighting the First Candle (Hope)
Thank You, God, for this first candle. Help me hope, even when I have to wait. Amen.
A Prayer for Lighting the Second Candle (Peace)
Thank You, God, for this candle of peace. Help our home feel calm and kind today. Amen.
A Prayer for Lighting the Third Candle (Joy)
Thank You, God, for this pink candle of joy. Help me smile and share my joy with someone today. Amen.
A Prayer for Lighting the Fourth Candle (Love)
Thank You, God, for this last candle. Help me love my family the way Jesus loves me. Amen.
A Short Daily Advent Calendar Prayer
Thank You, God, for one more day closer to Christmas. Help me wait with a happy heart. Amen.
A Bedtime Prayer During Advent
Thank You, God, for today. We are still waiting for Christmas, and that's okay. Watch over me while I sleep. Amen.
A Prayer for Christmas Eve Night
Thank You, God — tomorrow is Christmas! Thank You for sending baby Jesus to us. Help me remember why we celebrate. Amen.
Scripture to pray
But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord."— Luke 2:10-11
I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.— Psalm 130:5
Frequently asked questions
What is a good Advent prayer for kids?
Keep it to one short sentence tied to what your child can see and do — thanking God for the candle you just lit, or for one more day closer to Christmas as you open the Advent calendar. A line like "Thank You, God, for this candle. Help me hope, even when I have to wait. Amen." is easy for a young child to repeat and remember week to week.
How do I explain Advent to a child?
Tell it in terms a child already understands: Advent is the waiting time before Christmas, like the days before a birthday, except this waiting is for baby Jesus. The wreath and its four candles — one lit each Sunday — give a child something to see and count as the waiting gets shorter, which makes an abstract idea like "waiting" feel real and trackable.
How do young kids do the Advent wreath prayer each week?
Let your child light (or watch you light) that week's candle, then say a single short prayer line together before blowing it out or moving on to dinner — the same short prayer each week for that candle builds anticipation. Saying it at a fixed moment, like right before Sunday dinner, helps a young child recognize the ritual and look forward to it.