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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

Liturgies can also help us integrate faith with emotions, because we learn that God is with us in our emotional reactions, no matter how unsavory they may be. Even when we have faith, for example, that God gives a new life after death, when a loved one dies, we are still flattened with grief and a devastating sense that the loved one is forever lost to us. We may be angry at God, unable to pray, and feel spiritually dead. A personalized funeral that remembers the life of our loved one and declares the promise of eternal life can be a great comfort. The liturgy takes us to a place that we cannot go by ourselves. The result can be a greatly deepened, grounded, and integrated faith that even in times of greatest despair, God is still with us.

—Tilda Norberg, Gathered Together: Creating Personal Liturgies for Healing and Transformation (Upper Room Books, 2007)

Today’s Question

When you’re experiencing a strong emotional reaction, how can you remember that God is with you? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing;
O LORD, heal me, for my bones are shaking with terror.

—Psalm 6:2 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Great are you, O Lord, and greatly to be praised; great is your power, and your understanding is beyond measure.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

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Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

4 Comments

  • Lou Posted November 28, 2020 5:54 am

    I know that God is always with me- and you. He promised to never leave us. That is what I believe and what I lean into each day. Without Him we are nothing.
    It sounds like everyone here had a nice but different thanksgiving this year- I enjoyed the day with my son and his girlfriend and I talked to or was able to see my family remotely. We are doing the beat we can in these times- I was happy to cook a big meal for 3 and give all of the left overs to the kids who were very appreciative – I was so thankful for their company.
    I am thankful for regular posters – especially Jill, Robert, Julie and Allie and Marcy who comment nearly everyday and share their faith and their life stories. Prayers for everyone who comes to this place – Peace to all- Advent begins tomorrow. Waiting with hope, joy, love and peace. Prayers for you all during this great time of expectation.

  • Jill Posted November 28, 2020 6:09 am

    In the past, Satan took advantage of my weakness during an emotional reaction. I was weak, not in The Word as much as I should be – and I was taken on a further emotional spiral. Now, I am anchored to The Rock. Praise God. Emotions still come, but I speak Scripture to myself and over the situation. I approach God honestly, with raw emotion, and claim His strength and peace. And I strive to find something to re-focus on and be grateful for.
    Grateful for my best friend, who asked me to do an online Advent daily devotional with her. Her daughter, my god-daughter, has been quarantined – and missed the first two basketball games of her senior year. Today she will play – and I will watch it online. Our governor has forbid any spectators at games, except for parents – through the end of this month. My county is on the “watch list”, as we are one step from entering the most critical category. Our hospitals are overwhelmed and the numbers continue to rise. It seems I am hearing of more people, closer to my circle, who have become infected.

  • robert moeller Posted November 28, 2020 7:10 am

    In the time of my worst emotional experience I felt there were two choices: be angry with God or turn to God. I chose to turn to God. That was most certainly the best choice. God is the rock on which I stand, all else is sinking sand. Thank You, Lord,
    Always glad, even when there us no so joyous news, to hear from anyone who posts here. There is great benefit for both the one who posts and those who read.
    The virus is raging now in my home state, long one of the least affected, Prayers for everyone with or without the virus, those directly or indirectly affected. Thankful vaccines should be here by mid to late December for those on the front lines. These vaccines have been developed at new speed records. I pray they are well tested and effective. Some errands this morning, helping set up an Advent message in front of church. I Believe — Even When.
    Thankful my friend with the virus is recovering and will be out of quarantine on Monday.
    Be safe, patient, and have hope, help is on the way, and God is ever present. Thank You, Lord.

  • Julie Posted November 28, 2020 8:35 am

    There seems to be an issue with my original comment so I pray it doesn’t disappear…

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