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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

It is no surprise or accident that we attribute the prayer “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace” to Saint Francis. Francis not only opened our eyes to see the humble Babe of Bethlehem and the God who bends low to be with us, but the life and witness of Saint Francis continues to offer guidance for living faithfully in our often troubled and fearful world.

—Larry J. Peacock, The Living Nativity: Preparing for Christmas with Saint Francis (Upper Room Books, 2018)

Today’s Question

What does it look like for you to live faithfully as an “instrument of peace”? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.
—Colossians 3:15 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Creator God, Give me wisdom to learn from the blessings, stresses, and sorrows of all that lies behind, and give me the strength and hope to press on to what lies ahead.
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

  • robert moeller Posted January 2, 2021 5:47 am

    Being calm, patient, listening, not getting angry, being helpful, trying to resolve problems, and turning to God for guidance, wisdom, and support make up my understanding of living as an instrument of peace.
    Thankful for snow today, took photos of two finished models, have two more underway, Prayers for Jill and Larry, Jill’s recovering student, Marcy’s health, welfare, and well being, Julie and Megan, the path to safety, well being, and health, Ally and David, a successful business, continued improvement in health, April, Rick, those I remember here at the UR, and those who I didn’t meet. Prayers for those who lost loved ones during this time of year. May the vaccine be available to all and Covid brought to an end. There’s more behind the development of this vaccine that the seemingly quick production. National Geographic tells of the 12 years of work that enabled the quicker, better than expected response. Until your opportunity comes keep wearing a mask in public, social distance yourself, and wash your hands often. These simple tasks save lives. Thank You, Lord for enabling the scientists and medical profession to develop the vaccine and care for, and heal those who are sick. They lay down their lives for our safety, we need to do our part to help them.

  • Lou Posted January 2, 2021 7:24 am

    Being an instrument of peace sometimes means staying out of things – I have learned that the hard way as I used to stand up for my children when I witnessed the distress caused by interactions or the absence of with their father and his family. I have learned to stay quiet because speaking up on their behalf sometimes caused them more stress. I love this week’s prayer- I am trying to have that be a focus. To learn from what lies behind and to press on to what lies ahead. Sometimes I can get to focused on the past that I lose hope in the future. I’m working to right that and to focus on what lies ahead. The New year seems a good time to keep pushing in that direction.
    Prayers of peace love hope and joy for you all in this new year. May God bless you all and keep you safe.

  • Julie Posted January 2, 2021 8:58 am

    I add to all of the above, looking at others as God does, not the outward appearance but what lies within. It can sometimes be difficult to discern what is truly in another’s heart and soul, but we must try. I tend to asssume the worst of people and I need to overcome this tendency. But the lessons of my past preclude me from doing this in the future.
    Prayers for Robert and I heartily add my prayers to his that we all maintain our vigilance until enough people are vaccinated and I also agree with him regarding the safety and efficacy of the vaccines.
    Prayers for Lou and I agree that recognizing that our children are adults and need to face their own travails in their own ways is a difficult lesson.
    Prayers for Ally and David, may both enjoy better health and a thriving business in the new year. I await the links to oothe Zoom worship and Bible studies.
    Prayers for Jill as she will soon be returning to the job of teaching via Zoom and the task of determing how to deal with the cheating students.

  • Jill Posted January 2, 2021 10:08 am

    If My Father would follow up – “well done, good and faithful servant” with “you were indeed a peace-maker while on Earth” – could there be a better welcome into the Heavenly realm? “you loved well”, “you sought My Will in all things”…much to ponder here. To be an instrument of peace – would necessitate the ability to open my mouth when necessary and keep it clamped shut when necessary. Certainly a ways to go in this area.
    Today will include grading a batch of exams. Tomorrow evening – one last set of “take home portion of the exam” is due. This current batch is my final set of assignments to grade, until tomorrow’s comes in.
    I have not heard from the lady whom I reached out to with regards to spiritual direction. I am hoping that means she is prayerfully considering it before Our Father. The potential is there that she doesn’t check email consistently. Although, from the address, it seems it is a shared account with she and her husband. I continue to pray over it as well.
    My god daughter has a game today, so will put my grading aside to watch it this afternoon livestreamed.

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