Advent Prayers for Overwhelmed Parents: Peace

God of peace,
We’ve done it again.

We’ve crammed our calendar full to bursting.
We don’t know how we’ll get it all done.

December is packed with
Parties, plays, and performances,
Christmas concerts and celebrations
At school and church and work
And everywhere in between—
Shopping, planning, decorating, baking,
Prepping, giving, buying, wrapping,
Doing, doing, doing.

We wobble under the weight of expectations
And buckle under the pressure
To make perfect memories for our families,
To give so much to others.

But where have we left time for peace?
For prayer?
For You?

For silence and stillness.
For quiet and contemplation.
For space to sit in Your presence.

When we want too much, forgive us.
When we try too hard, comfort us.
When we do too much, guide us.

Beckon us back into Your peace,
That is not found in presents
But Your presence.

Draw us close to Your side,
Where blessing comes not from busyness
But belovedness.

Let us surrender into the wisdom of Your Spirit
Waiting for us in this holy season of waiting.

God of Advent, bring us Your peace.
Amen.

Copyright © 2022 Laura Kelly Fanucci.

---

For more Advent Prayers for Overwhelmed Parents: Hope.