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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

Loving God, I want to tell you
how grateful I am for my Christian friend.
The connection between us grows stronger every day.
We may not talk often;
we may be hundreds of miles from each other,
but the wonder of how we are connected is a miracle.
Thank you.

We are so different yet so much alike.
We can pick up a conversation as if we spoke
just yesterday.
I can call any time to say, “I need your prayers,”
or, “My family is struggling,
and I’m afraid we won’t make it,”
knowing that she will be praying every day.
This is a gift, O God—a rare one!
Thank you for this wonderful bond
of faith and love and prayer that you have
created between us and sustained over the years. Amen.

—Mary Lou Redding, Prayers for Life’s Ordinary and Extraordinary Moments (Upper Room Books, 2012)

Today’s Question

Who are the friends supporting you “across years and miles”? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

So continue encouraging each other and building each other up, just like you are doing already.
—1 Thessalonians 5:11 (CEB)

Prayer for the Week

This week, make the reflection for each day your prayer, followed by a moment of silence and listening for the still small voice of the Spirit.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

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Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

Baptism of the Lord

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

2 Comments

  • Julie Posted January 7, 2021 8:28 am

    I immediately thought of my friend Sue. She is much older and now lives in Arizona. We speak but a couple times a year now but we pick up as though we speak daily. I also thought of the woman who calls me as part of the prayer chain at the church I attended faithfully for years. I know she desires a stronger connection and perhaps this year I will accept her overtures.
    I am reeling from the events of yesterday. I lift up my prayers to our sovereign Lord. Lord, please heal our country. Heal those injured yesterday. Heal the hearts of the three who died yesterday. Heal our hearts and souls and give us tolerance and brotherly love to all we encounter, even those with whom we disagree. Heal us, Lord and help us to love you above false idols. Heal our so called leaders so they may lead while following you. Heal our country dear Lord.

  • Jill Posted January 7, 2021 1:16 pm

    Of course, my longest and dearest friend who now lives in Montana – she is the one. So grateful for her friendship and the friendships of our moms. We used to have such a good time together – the four of us, shopping, giggling. Such a huge imprint on my life. Thank You, Lord.
    Yes, Lord, heal our land. What an utter disgrace yesterday was. Father – the wounds are deep. And Your grace is more. May those coming into new positions of power be reliant on You. A big ask, but my prayer, nonetheless. May we return to a nation of God-fearing people who act selflessly and care about the greater good.

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