Today’s Reflection
Yet our call to love one another is unconditional. Intercessory prayer helps us live out this call by providing a tangible way to step out of our comfort zones and love all God’s children — including those who are most difficult to love.
—Sharon Seyfarth Garner, Mandalas, Candles, and Prayer: A Simply Centered Advent (Upper Room Books, 2017)
Today’s Question
How might praying for someone, especially someone difficult to love, help you grow in compassion?
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Today’s Scripture
Let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
—1 John 4:7 (NRSVUE)
Prayer for the Week
God, light my path as I journey toward Bethlehem. Help me set aside my fears and assumptions and learn to love as you have called me to love. Give me eyes to see your God-spark in me and in all those I meet. Amen. [prayer adapted from Mandalas, Candles, and Prayer by Sharon Seyfarth Garner]
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
Each year The Upper Room Disciplines brings together 52 diverse voices to share messages of hope, challenge, and joy. Disciplines writers are clergy and laypeople from a variety of Christian denominations who invite readers to engage daily with scripture for spiritual practice. Watch a message from the contributors to Disciplines 2025 here.
Lectionary Readings
- Zephaniah 3:14-20
- Isaiah 12:2-6
- Philippians 4:4-7
- Luke 3:7-18
Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
2 Comments
This morning- I’ve spent some quiet time praying for friends in need including all of you who post here- God bless you in this Holy Season.
I’m very much in a situation where , due to mental illness, I’m abused and yet I hope, work for , and try to make things better. Living with an unbeliever adds to the problem. Thankfully there are “good times” a;ong with the tougher days. There are areas where measurable progress has been made.
Thank You, Lord, for Your ever presence, love, mercy, peace, and grace. They sustain me.
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