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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

The magi acted upon the information they had. They went on a quest, trusting that they had interpreted the signs rightly and that God would lead them to the right place. Trust remains key to their journey. . . . I imagine that they wanted to quit often, and yet they held on to the greater vision that encouraged them through daily hardships.

—George H. Donigian, In Days to Come: From Advent to Epiphany (Upper Room Books, 2017)

Today’s Question

What is the greater vision that encourages you during hard times? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Those who know your name trust you
because you have not abandoned
any who seek you, LORD.
—Psalm 9:10 (CEB)

Prayer for the Week

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
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Something More

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Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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4 Comments

  • Lou Posted December 29, 2021 7:27 am

    What encourages me is that God never leaves us and that one day we will rest peacefully with Him in heaven where all pain and suffering will be no more. Blessings to all who come here –

  • Julie Posted December 29, 2021 8:30 am

    The only thing that encourages me is that I will die someday and rejoin my loved ones in heaven.
    Prayers for safe travel for Ally, David and Jill. Prayers for health and well being for Jeremy and Roger. Prayers for Lou’s youngest child’s mental health issues. Prayers for Robert’s church to find a new pastor in the new year. Prayers for Marti and her staff. Thank you for your prayers and may God bless all who visit here.

  • Ally Posted December 29, 2021 10:29 am

    My greater vision: to grow in Christ, to keep growing in the stagnant times, to overcome when things are tough.
    We arrived in Alabama in time to attend Christmas Eve Holy Communion with my sister and her husband. It was a lovely service. Lots of singing, good message from pastor. The most meaningful part was the communion ritual: reciting the prayers, the act of repentance, the taking of the elements. It made my heart right. Christmas Day was a quiet day, but a good one: delicious meal, watching old Christmas favorites on TV. We went to worship Sunday and had another good day with family. We did receive news that our cousin Susan, who is my age, had a heart attack Christmas Eve. She had triple bypass surgery yesterday, in which a leaky mitral valve was also replaced. I feel it is a true miracle that she is with us today. Thank You Lord. Please lift her and her family up in prayer, especially her mom Janice.
    We came home Monday, had a good trip. Jeremy did great boarding at the vet. Thanks for your prayers. Washer still not fixed. Repairman is supposed to come today. All that has been going on has been a burden. I’m sad and depressed. Don’t feel like getting out of bed. Good news is that since David has been regularly taking medication, he has not had anymore esophageal spasms. Pray this continues. He also had PT today and the therapist is pleased with his progress. I caught up with reading comments today. Know that all your concerns are held close and lifted to the Lord. Blessings to all.

  • robert moeller Posted December 29, 2021 3:13 pm

    I have always felt, sensed that I was given a strong spirit of optimism. Somehow things will always turn out okay. The tough experiences I’ve had are nothing compared to those of many others, the worst being the loss of Soo Ok 24+ years ago.
    Thankful for a blessed Christmas Eve and Day, safe travels, and positive events these past few days.
    Glad to learn of safe travels for the NEM family, positive health outcomes. Prayers for Ally’s cousin.
    Yes one day I’ll pass away from this life, but thanks to Jesus I hope to be in heaven.
    Worship planning has us covered for all but one Sunday, Jan-Feb. God’s peace to you all. May we all have a happy, HEALTHY New Year with and end to COVID. Thank You, Lord.

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