Included with these Scripture-based prayers are three "intercessory prayer prompts" for you to personalize your prayer. I'm also including my usual "Walking Points" questions and next steps for you to apply the truth of the Scripture in your own life. Let these prayers be tools to enrich the creativity of your own prayer life during this Advent season. May the Lord richly bless you this Advent season as we prepare for our coming King. (You can check out all the Advent prayers by clicking here.)

Read 2 Peter 3:3-15

God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, I give you praise and thanks for the coming of Jesus into this world. And just as assuredly, O Lord, I wait expectantly for his return. It’s true, some in this world will scoff at this idea. “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised?” They imagine his supposed failure to return is reason enough to follow their own evil desires.

But they forget you are not working according to their timetable. And how grateful we all will one day be that you aren’t. Remind us, patient God, that with you “a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” Please lead us to rejoice that you are not slow in keeping your promise, but instead you are longsuffering, not wanting anyone to perish but for all to come to repentance instead.

O thank you Lord for your patience! Thank you for awakening me and drawing me into a saving relationship with you through your Son. Thank you for giving time for more and more people in this world to come and know you and call upon your name. Thank you for giving your church more opportunities to preach the gospel to all the world. Thank you, merciful Redeemer.

But you make clear in your Word that the day of your return will come like a thief. And with it will be great judgment. You have given us plenty of warnings that this is true. This is also part of your promise.

Therefore, because this is true, what kind of people should we be? You command us to live holy and godly lives as we look forward to that great day. More than that, you give us the power and grace of your Spirit to enable us to live in such a way. Not in order to be saved. But because we who know you are already saved.

We pray for our godly and holy lives to serve as a beacon to the lost people who surround us. We pray for our lives to communicate your reality, power, grace, and desire to reclaim them as well. We pray for our lives to reflect you so well that when others encounter us, they will be compelled to give you praise in heaven.

The patience our Lord Jesus is exercising means salvation. Hallelujah! Help me Father, by the constant working of your precious Spirit, to keep my heart, mind, and soul looking forward to your coming and to the new heaven and new earth he will bring, where righteousness will dwell unabated.

• I pray for the Holy Spirit to soften the hearts of those who are skeptical about the reality of God, the person of Christ, and his return. Turn them from doubt and cynicism to faith and anticipation.
• I pray for Christians to live godly and holy lives in this world while we await the return of our Savior. I pray that our lives reflect the character of the Christ who came to earth, taught, served, died, and was raised again. Indeed, the risen Christ lives in us even now. I pray he will also live through us in such a way that others will be drawn to know, love, and follow him.
• I pray for the opportunities, gifts, and boldness to share the good news of Jesus this week. Prepare me even now, O Lord, to be a faithful witness for you today – in word and deed.

Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again. Come Lord Jesus. Amen.

Walking Points

• What are a few reasons some people don’t believe in the return of Jesus Christ? Why do you think that even some Christians do not look toward that great Day in hopeful anticipation?
• Are you living the godly and holy life God calls you to live, as you wait for Christ’s return? Why or why not? What difference has Jesus made in the various spheres of your life? What difference does knowing he may return at any moment make in how you live your life now?
• Does knowing God has promised that Christ will return and bring deliverance and judgment with him, give you a sense of compassion and urgency to share the Gospel with others who do not know him? Why or why not? If not, what’s holding you back? Spend some time praying for the Lord to fill you with increasing compassion and urgency, as well as opportunities, gifts, and boldness to share Christ with others this week.