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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

We moderns are rediscovering what the ancients knew well: when something is wrong, every part of us is affected. Whether we complain that we are physically sick, emotionally adrift, spiritually bereft, or socially oppressed, we respond with every part of ourselves: body, emotions, mind, spirit, and sociability. As we pray for continued healing, we may well be challenged to attend to each of these realms. My longtime experience in the healing ministry has taught me that human beings are wired for lifelong growth in which God shapes each person’s healing individually and uniquely, weaving in and out of each part of our being.

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

Today’s Question

How can you practice being open to God’s guidance toward lifelong growth? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed;
save me, and I shall be saved;
for you are my praise.

—Jeremiah 17:14 (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

  • Jill Posted November 24, 2020 5:35 am

    I stay before Him. And I keep asking Him to lead me, to show me, to open my eyes to what I am missing. I trust Him, the ongoing process of transformation.
    One last day, and my afternoon classes are taking a quiz. I have to help dad out during my non-class time…he is dropping off his car to get brakes done. So – I will pick him up at the dealership and run him back to his house. When school is done this afternoon – I will pick him up and take him back to the dealership. Maybe, if it is warm enough, we will take a walk this afternoon.
    Father – may we recognize the beauty of thanksgiving, taking time to meditate on all that is good and right, despite circumstances we never imagined facing.

  • robert moeller Posted November 24, 2020 8:21 am

    Keep focused on God, pray, study, read Scriptures, listen for God’s guidance, direction.
    Bible study today focuses on the beliefs of Methodism. This will end our look a Christianity’s Family Tree.
    Advent Bible study begins next week.
    Bless everyone in this very non-traditional Thanksgiving, God is with you as always. That part never changes. Thank You, Lord.

  • Julie Posted November 24, 2020 8:48 am

    By remembering, moment by moment as needed, that God’s healing is not my healing. By being open to His healing and assessing all aspects of myself to take inventory to see where He has been at work in me and for me.
    Prayers for Jill and her students as they all enjoy a break from online classes. May they all return renewed and refreshed.
    Prayers for Robert and his Bible study group, may each be open to sharing all thoughts and concerns.
    Prayers for Ally and David, may both feel good this week and enjoy their Thanksgiving together, giving thanks for each other and how much they have healed since the beginning of the year.
    Prayers for Marcy, who called yesterday to say she was feeling better and is open to connecting. I will try to connect with her today.
    Megan and I have donations for the local pet shelter that we hope to drop off today. We order all our pet products from an online supplier who reimburses us if something is not what our kitties like and asks that we donate the produsts. We love this idea and now buy food and all from them. Even if picky pusses do not like to food we get to give it to the shelter.

  • Ally Posted November 24, 2020 9:47 am

    It is important for us to listen: God speaks through scripture. I read and meditate each day on the scriptures, asking God to illuminate them for me. God speaks through our relationship with God through prayer: I talk to God and ask God to give me ears to hear what God has to say to me. God may speak through thoughts in an article cot book or through a trusted friend. I try to be open to the Spirit’s leading and ask the Spirit to help me discern what God is telling me.
    Had my dental appointment this morning. He referred me to an oral surgeon. He said to keep taking the antibiotics until I see the surgeon. Last night I ran a low-grade fever. In normal circumstances, this would not freak me out. But these days, it’s scary. Temp was normal this morning. David is doing well. I appreciate him so much, since he’s driving me around until after cataract surgery next week. Please continue prayers for us.
    Jill, I know you’re glad for a break. Praying you and Larry have some quality time. Robert, sounds like you’ve enjoyed the Zoom Bible study. I’m getting ready to start an advent study too. Julie, thanks for the prayers. Please keep them coming, as I am very anxious today. Bless you for caring for critters. Marcy, I’m thankful you are feeling better and pray you and Julie can connect today. Thank You Lord for our friends here. Keep us all safe from harm. Blessings to all.

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