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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

[Sit in a chair or on a pillow on the floor. Set a timer for 10 to 15 minutes.]

Assume a comfortable position with back straight and hands open, resting in your lap. …

Breathe regularly. Quiet your inner clamor. Do not fight thoughts that arise, but don’t hold onto them either. …
• When thoughts bubble up, think, “Peace,” and let go of them.
• Close your eyes and continue this exercise until the timer sounds.

—Gerrie L. Grimsley & Jane J. Young, Contemplative by Design: Creating Quiet Spaces for Retreats, Workshops, Churches, and Personal Settings (Upper Room Books, 2008)

Today’s Question

When have you experienced peace as you were silent in God’s presence? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters,

he refreshes my soul.
—Psalm 23:1-3a (NIV)

Prayer for the Week

Dear God,
Come now and feed
my body, soul;
come now, infuse
the hungry whole
of me.
—Jane J. Young
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

Discover embodiment this Advent with our newest devotional and interactive online experience, Fully Human, Fully Divine. Over the course of four weeks, author Whitney R. Simpson encourages us to embrace the season of Advent fully, with our whole selves, and remember that Jesus showed us what it means to be both fully human and fully divine. Learn more here.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

3 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted October 20, 2022 7:22 am

    The most memorable times were quite a few years ago. I’m just laying down and experienced what I believe was God’s presence made known. I like this idea and of course in can be done anywhere. I will try it. I agree that we don’t do this (sit in God’s lap) enough. Bright sun, had a frost last night. Clear skies. Leaves are going.
    Prayers for Ally&David and Lewis, hope for the best, prepare for the worst, Tough to say, but sometimes letting go is best. I most certainly would not want a pet to suffer. My son has done this when there was no hope.
    Thankful Julie has found this caregiver support group and is being lifted up by it. That’s a blessing.
    Trying to decide what to do, our choir director caught Covid, is getting treatment, still testing positive. I’m for safety first, have to decide on a policy. We’ve done ZOOM before, not anxious to go there, but safety comes first. People getting sick after coming to church doesn’t sit well with me. No love in that.
    Take good care, be safe.

  • Julie Posted October 20, 2022 9:22 am

    Unfortunatelu, I have little time for silence. I have to monitor h at all times. On Monday he left the house and went to the scam artists. After that he went to a person’s house who gave me an itemized list/invoice for things he had done for h. I had to pay. H does not understand why I insist he have nothing to do with these people. Also they both continually undermine me and try to turn h against me. Meanwhile they refuse to care for him in any way.
    Prayers for Ally and Lewis, may God’s will prevail. Prayers for Robert and his church as they navigate the never ending Covid crisis.

  • Ally Posted October 21, 2022 11:25 am

    I have gone on personal retreats before where I engaged in silence and felt tremendous peace. My life is such that for the present, I have to find ways to connect with peace in other ways. It is not easy.
    I just spoke with vet, and Lewi

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