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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

Contemplative coloring offers a practical way to set aside the worries and distractions of daily life so that we can sit at the feet of Jesus. It can bring us much-needed rest or inspire us to act. It provides an opportunity to look inward so that we may discern how to be the hands and feet of Jesus to a hurting world. Rather than feeling like one more thing on my haftado list, prayer has finally become a wannado activity. I now look forward to prayer and eagerly carve out time for contemplative coloring as often as possible.

—Sharon Seyfarth Garner, Praying with Mandalas: A Colorful, Contemplative Practice (Upper Room Books, 2016)

Today’s Question

In what ways do you spend time sitting at Jesus’ feet? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

[Martha] had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his message. … Martha came to [Jesus] and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to prepare the table all by myself? Tell her to help me.” The Lord answered, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things. One thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the better part.”
—Luke 10:39, 40b, 41-42 (CEB)

Prayer for the Week

Gracious God
whose love encircles all,
You are the one in whom I live
and move and have my being.
Thank you for the moments
when I see you most clearly.
I am sorry for the times I have turned away
from your loving presence.
With hope I look toward the new day to come,
heart aflame with your love and grace.
I am grateful that you are with me
every moment of every day.
Amen.
Prayer by Sharon Seyfarth Garner
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

Join the conversation on how to make our churches safer places for children, youth, and vulnerable adults. Participate in the Safer Sanctuaries webinar series each Thursday during the month of October. 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 4, 2022 6:31 am

    Worship and daily QT with NEM are, I think, my time at Jesus’ feet.
    Thankful to visit the posts of NEM this morning and learn how you are doing.
    Safety and needed resources for Ally&David, thankful for David’s progress, hope getting out of the house and doing more PT will help. Prayers for Ally’s friend with spinal cancer. Yes, Ally, prayers for UMC.
    So thankful Jill’s Florida family is safe and sound. I was nervous that Larry was heading into a maelstrom. Prayers for the groups that Jill supports as a volunteer, her straight forward class at school, and well being on the tennis court and golf links. Julie, you are doing a lot despite having your hands full, bless you. Our coordinating pastor is from Monroe County PA, she and her husband live in Tilton NH, about 90 minutes from us. There will be a lot of ZOOM meetings I expect. With Lay Servant classes, a mentoring pastor for our certified lay minister candidate, and now a coordinating pastor to help with things we can’t do, we are feeling more confident.
    The message is about done, a few tweaks, and practice. A new book study on Wesley, faith as Wesley lived it, then off to the Fryeburg Fair this morning. Cooler weather but a couple days with highs in the 70s on the way. Blessings to all at NEM. Thank You, Lord.
    with friends.

  • Jill Posted October 4, 2022 2:27 pm

    Each morning I begin at His feet, before His throne. My mind is not always fully focused, but I show up and desire to honor Him and begin my day with Him.
    I had three students in this morning for tutoring prior to school. Need to find a way to maximize that time, making it beneficial for all. The class today went well – they worked hard and I am trying to encourage those who are putting in maximum effort. Some continue to waffle…will need to continue to re-direct them.
    Thinking about stopping by a golf range on the way home to hit some balls. The weather looks beautiful outside my window. I am playing golf with one of my new teammates from my summer team. She has asked me to play with her at a private golf club. I have never done this before – looking forward to it. The course is very close to my school and some of my students caddie there.

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