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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

When Jesus met a woman at the well on a dusty day, he told her that he could give her living water. … The kind of drinking that Jesus invites us to is not the polite, sipping from our teacups with pinkies extended kind of drinking. It’s a drinking that drenches us, that causes rivers of living water to flow out of our hearts. The cost of this drinking—the cost of giving ourselves to the flow—is that we can’t control where it goes.

—Jan L. Richardson, In the Sanctuary of Women: A Companion for Reflection and Prayer (Upper Room Books, 2010)

Today’s Question

How have the “rivers of living water” led to places or people you didn’t expect? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Jesus responded, “If you recognized God’s gift and who is saying to you, ‘Give me some water to drink,’ you would be asking him and he would give you living water.”
—John 4:10 (CEB)

Prayer for the Week

Lord, guide me to reflect on—and learn from—the decisions I made yesterday so that they might reshape the longings I have for tomorrow.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

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Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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4 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted October 24, 2020 5:37 am

    I think so, but I’m having a hard time being specific, there may be quite a few people. Where to start? Not sure when it started or where. Think it has been going on for quite a while. Can say that it has been good.
    Still waiting for a plumber, but otherwise things are going well for me. Virus is spiking although slower here than in other places. God’s wisdom tells me to follow science: wear a mask, stay socially distanced, and wash hands frequently. I pray you are all safe and stay safe no matter what the situation. Thank You, Lord, for always being with us.

  • Jill Posted October 24, 2020 6:39 am

    The rivers of Living Water were preparing me for all the significant life changes which began a little over 3 years ago. And – they were sustenance to me…quenching my thirst when needed, supporting me amidst the storm, quieting me when thoughts within raged, comforting me when I was alone.
    My friend and I were talking a bit about this the other evening. The possibility, the reality of being thankful for all those trying times, for I am closer to God than ever before. Resting more secure in Him than I ever imagined possible. Does it make the memory of those times less difficult? No. But I can see His sovereignty, His masterfulness, His great love.
    It was a bit breezy, but dinner outside was enjoyable in the warmth of the afternoon. The restaurant was on “the square” of a quaint little throwback town. It is where mom and I would attend two art festivals in the summer. Following dinner, we all walked around the square and my sister and I went into a few stores. So weird, to shop…haven’t done it in such a long time. And something my sister, mom and I enjoy – going into these unique shops. My sister made a cake my mom always made for me…a bit of nostalgia last evening. We ate it at my house, and Roger was milling about. I said to no one in particular – I wonder if Roger misses mom. She used to have the best time, playing with him when she and dad would come over for dinner.

  • Marcy Posted October 24, 2020 6:47 am

    Springs of Living Water

    I thirsted in the barren land of sin and shame,
    And nothing satisfying there I found;
    But to the blessed cross of Christ one day I came,
    Where springs of living water did abound.

    Chorus
    Drinking at the springs of living water,
    Happy now am I, my soul they satisfy;
    Drinking at the springs of living water,
    O wonderful and bountiful supply.
    How sweet the living water from the hills of God,
    It makes me glad and happy all the way;
    Now glory, grace and blessing mark the path I’ve trod,
    I’m shouting Hallelujah every day.

    How sweet the living water from the hills of God,
    It makes me glad and happy all the way;
    Now glory, grace and blessing mark the path I’ve trod,
    I’m shouting “Hallelujah!” everyday!

    Oh sinner wont you come today to Calvary
    A fountain there is flowing deep and wide
    The Saviour now invites you to the water free
    Where thirsty spirits can be saitisfied!

    Drinking at the springs of living water!
    Happy now am I! My Soul they satisfy!
    Drinking at the springs of living water!
    Oh wonderful and bountiful supply!

    John W. Peterson

  • Julie Posted October 24, 2020 8:43 am

    I thought of this comment board and the wonderful people I have encountered here. Also it led me to reach out to Marcy.
    Prayers for Jill and her family, thankful they had time to visit and enjoy one another’s company safely and share warm memories. Thankful also for pets who remember more than most believe.
    Prayers for Robert and thankful for his sage advice and example of circumspect resolve.
    Prayers for Marcy, may she be well enough today to connect with me.
    Prayers for Ally and David, may Ally have a good report from her cardiologist while also finding out the source of her symptoms.

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