Advent Prayer Week 3: The Joy Candle — sacred illustration
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Advent

Advent Prayer Week 3: The Joy Candle

Zephaniah 3:14-15

Zephaniah 3:14-15 is from the prophet Zephaniah, who spoke in the days of King Josiah of Judah; after warning of judgment, his book ends by calling Jerusalem to sing for joy because the LORD has taken away her punishment and is among her as King.

Lord, You tell Your people to sing for joy and rejoice with all their heart. As I light the third candle, I thank You: You have taken away my punishment, You have turned back my enemy, and You are among us. Lift my heavy heart. Teach me a joy that does not depend on a perfect Christmas, because it rests on You. Amen.

Zephaniah 3:14-15 is from the prophet Zephaniah, who spoke in the days of King Josiah of Judah; after warning of judgment, his book ends by calling Jerusalem to sing for joy because the LORD has taken away her punishment and is among her as King.

The Scripture

“Sing for joy, O Daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O Daughter of Jerusalem! The LORD has taken away your punishment; He has turned back your enemy. Israel’s King, the LORD, is among you; no longer will you fear any harm.”

— Zephaniah 3:14-15

Prayer points from Zephaniah 3:14-15

  1. Thank God that He is among you, right now.
  2. Name something He has forgiven or taken away, and rejoice.
  3. Bring Him whatever is stealing your joy this season.
  4. Pray for someone for whom Christmas is hard this year.
  5. Sing a carol or hymn as part of your prayer.
  6. Ask Him for a joy that rests on Him, not on how the holidays go.

About this verse

Most of the short book of Zephaniah is a warning that the Day of the LORD is near. Then, close to the end, the tone turns completely: “Sing for joy, O Daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel!” The reason is not that life has become easy. It is that God has acted: “The LORD has taken away your punishment; He has turned back your enemy. Israel’s King, the LORD, is among you.” Two verses later comes a line many people love: “He will rejoice over you with singing.” The third Sunday of Advent is the Sunday of joy. Its old name, Gaudete, is Latin for rejoice, and many churches light a pink or rose candle that week instead of a purple one. Joy arrives in the middle of the waiting, not only at the end. This prayer is for lighting the third Advent candle, and for anyone who needs joy this December and can’t find it on their own.

When to pray this prayer

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