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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

Spiritual formation is not an option. Spiritual formation is not a discipline just for “dedicated disciples.” It is not a pursuit only for the pious. Spiritual formation is not an activity for the deeply committed alone. It is not a spiritual frill for those with the time and inclination. … Every event of life is an experience of spiritual formation. Every action taken, every response made, every dynamic of relationship, every thought held, every emotion allowed: These are the minuscule arenas where, bit by bit, infinitesimal piece by infinitesimal piece, we are shaped into some kind of being. We are being shaped either toward the wholeness of the image of Christ or toward a horribly destructive caricature of that image.

—M. Robert Mulholland Jr., Shaped by the Word: The Power of Scripture in Spiritual Formation, Anniversary Edition (Upper Room Books, 2023)

Today’s Question

How open are you to God setting the agenda of your life? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Now, Lord, you are our father. We are the clay, and you are our potter. All of us are the work of your hand.
—Isaiah 64:8 (CEB)

Prayer for the Week

Help us, O God, to let you do whatever you want to do in our lives. Help us to say yes to you at the center of our being. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
M. Robert Mulholland Jr.Shaped by the Word
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

In a success-oriented world, it is easy for Bible study to become another task to perform rather than a transformational experience. For nearly forty years, Shaped by the Word has shown Christians how to read the Bible not just for information but also for spiritual formation. Learn more about the anniversary edition of this classic 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 5, 2023 5:41 am

    I believe I am following or close to following God’s agenda. I certainly am not perfect at it and need the salvation Jesus provides. Grace, mercy, and love help me .
    Hopefully the new therapist and medication will help improve relations and enable a move to the Poconos. The economy needs to improve as well.
    Thank You , Lord

  • Julie Posted October 5, 2023 9:30 am

    I try but I am human and sometimes get impatient. Especially where health is concerned. I have several health issues currently which I beseech the Lord to heal. I know I should pray if it is his will and in his time…but I am human.

  • Ally Posted October 5, 2023 10:02 am

    I am open to following God’s agenda. But I do have problems turning things over. What Bob said about knowing the real Jesus versus a caricature. It resonates. I want to be authentic. I want to be intimate with the real Jesus.

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