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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

We have to train ourselves to become the type of earthly vessels that can endure the challenging joy of waiting on God, whether we are waiting for the Christ child or for an answer to prayer. We need ways of training ourselves in strength, patience, courage, and endurance. Spiritual disciplines like prayer, solitude, fasting, and scripture reading can be useful resources for training in daily discipleship. They open us up, hone our hearing and our spiritual vision, and make us sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

—Enuma Okoro, Silence and Other Surprising Invitations of Advent (Upper Room Books, 2012)

Today’s Question

What spiritual disciplines cultivate your attentiveness to the leading of Holy Spirit? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

You, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
—Jude 1:20-21 (NIV)

Prayer for the Week

As we wait, Transforming God, prepare our hearts to receive you.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

For many people, this time of year brings up feelings of loneliness, anxiety, grief, and despair. Join us to pray for those in need, or share your own prayer request at The Upper Room Prayer Wall.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

4 Comments

  • Julie Posted December 13, 2021 8:41 am

    Prayer, worship, prayer within worship. I went to our church’s alter yesterday and poured out my heart to the Lord. The church secretary came to me and prayed with me afterward. She came to me at the alter and embraced me. I cried out and to God with tears streaming down my cheeks.
    Prayers for Ally’s disability paperwork and her ability to pay the vet bills and cover the cost of surgery, prayers for David’s ongoing long haul Covid symptoms, prayers for Jeremy’s respiratory ailments and his continued urinary issues, prayers for Jill’s concern for Larry and Roger, prayers for Larry’s anxiety, prayers for Roger’s diabetes to be dealt with successfully, prayers for Lou and her children, prayers for Robert’s church laity as they continue to lead, prayers for Erich’s future, prayers for Marti and her staff.
    Thank you for your prayers and may God bless all who visit here.

  • Ally Posted December 13, 2021 12:56 pm

    Each day I read scripture, pray (sometimes my own words, sometimes written prayers), utilize devotionals, including UR and NEM. We went to in-person church yesterday: wonderful service and music, with a little party afterwards. It was so great to see everyone. We are small in number due to some things which happened 4-5 years ago. God is not done with this church.
    Jeremy seems to be progressing. Much less sneezing and sniffling today. He ate well and seems to be using litterbox well. He felt so bad all weekend and I can tell he is feeling better today. I think he will need the special surgery, but maybe not for awhile. At least not until we can pay for it. We got some not very welcome news. Our rent is going up. We are already paying more than my sister and BIL pay for their mortgage. I’m praying for God to give me perspective on hardship and suffering. As Corrie ten Boom and her sister Betsy did as inmates in Ravensbruck, David and I are thanking God for the fleas. Julie, I’m thankful for your church and for you and all of us who have cried out to God in despair. David and I thank you so much for your prayers, dear friend. Lou, I praise God with you for your children. Praise God for the life of your middle daughter and her testimony to God’s healing. Robert, prayers continue for your church, that it continues to serve and move forward. Jill, praying that healing and restoration to health will come for little Roger. Yes, on high alert is an apt term for wherever are with our babies.
    There is can old Merle Haggard song called If We Make It Through December. Feels apropos right now for sure. Lord, Help us to be thankful in this season of waiting. Blessings to all.

  • Jill Posted December 13, 2021 2:24 pm

    Stillness, settledness, quiet. I believe as I try to achieve these, I am better able to discern the movement of the Spirit. I enjoyed this Advent book, as I enjoy this author.
    It is very good to know this is the last week of school, as exams begin tomorrow. Today was a bit of a review day with my classes. Wasn’t on top of my game again – not sure what that is about. I guess I am already on winter break.
    Beautiful sunshine and the hope of above normal temperatures this week. Good to see the blue sky.
    Julie – I am glad you had someone there to be with you at the altar. So glad for you finding and feeling comfortable with the church. Were you able to speak with the lady regarding a job? Ally – sorry for the news regarding your rent. May God provide a way for needed expenses to be covered.

  • robert moeller Posted December 13, 2021 3:19 pm

    Bible reading and study, NEM, worship, talks with God on walks all help me. Slowly the Nativity scene will come together. Very busy this morning wth errands, glad I am able to read your posts.
    My thoughts and prayers are with Julie and Ally’s thoughts and prayers It has been a busy day, but things are coming along. Thank you for your prayers. Christ is with us. We remember Emanuel’s coming.

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