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New every morning is your love, great God of light, and all day long you are working for good in the world. Stir up in us desire to serve you, to live peacefully with our neighbors and all your creation, and to devote each day to your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

"A Liturgy for Morning Prayer," Upper Room Worshipbook

Used by permission from the Book of Common Worship, © 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. All rights reserved. This prayer appears in “A Liturgy for Morning Prayer” in Upper Room Worshipbook.

 

Today’s Reflection

In the ancient world, those listening to Jesus would have known that a talent was the approximate value of fifteen years of wages, a substantial sum of money. In the story, a man is leaving on a journey, and he gives each of his servants a gift. One servant receives five talents, one receives two talents, and the last servant receives one talent. …

The distribution is neither even nor fair. As with other stories Jesus told, … this is not about fairness. It is in reference to a gift that we do not deserve or earn.

—Kenneth H. Carter Jr., A Beginner’s Guide to Practicing Scriptural Imagination (Upper Room Books, 2019)

Today’s Question

In your own life, workplace, or community, where have you noticed unfair situations? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Acting with righteousness and justice is more valued by the Lord than sacrifice.
—Proverbs 21:3 (CEB)

Prayer for the Week

Give us grateful hearts, our Father, for all thy mercies, and make us mindful of the needs of others; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
From the Book of Common Prayer
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

Based on the Revised Common Lectionary, The Upper Room Disciplines has been a trusted companion for personal prayer and study and an essential resource for pastors and Christian educators for nearly 65 years. Learn more here.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.

2 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted October 15, 2022 7:15 am

    Unfair situations begin with your birth, where, when, to whom, and under what conditions. They continue depending on your sex, race, religion, politics, nationality, ethnicity, language, education, and the list goes on. Fairness comes from God who sees everyone as equal. Thank You, Lord.
    Rain has ended, some minor flooding was reported, the river level has gone down. The sun is out, and a huge maple tree’s eaves are bright in the sunshine.
    Choir director has Covid, we sing a cappella Sunday. Message is ready, need to review and practice. While mainly not my words it is well written and appropriate for the lectionary scripture verses. I see myself as the messenger and want the community of faith to receive a well written quality message. Prayers you all have a great weekend and a blessed Sunday, we’re half way through October. Thank You, Lord.

  • Julie Posted October 15, 2022 7:54 am

    I see it in the wealth of a very few and the poverty of so many. Megan told me she read an article that said the wealthiest people have the means to wipe out poverty across the globe and still be wealthy beyond a common man’s comprehension. That this is so and no one seems to have solved the problem of such desparate economic conditions is a sad commentary of our collective “soul.”
    I had a very trying day with h yesterday. He started first thing in the morning and continued nonstop throughout the day to challenge and question my every move and decisions I thought were finalized weeks ago. I was physically drained to the point of illness by the afternoon.
    Prayers for Ally as she struggles with many different responsibilities and challenges. Prayers for safe travel and a wonderful visit with family for Jill. Prayers for Robert, may his message be well received by his fellow church members and may his words encourage at least one person to seek a closer relationship with the Lord.

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