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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

May I learn from you, who are Truth, and apply the ear of my heart to your mouth, that you may tell me why weeping should be so sweet to the unhappy. Have you—although present everywhere—cast our misery far away from you? You rest in yourself, but we are disquieted with various trials. Yet unless our weeping reached your ears, we would have no hope. How do we pluck such sweet fruit from the bitterness of life, from groans, tears, sighs, and lamentations? Is it the hope that you hear us that sweetens it?

Upper Room Spiritual Classics: Writings of Augustine, Edited by Keith Beasley-Topliffe (Upper Room Books, 2017)

Today’s Question

What trials are prompting you to cry out to God? What hope do you find in knowing God hears you? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

—1 Peter 3:12 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Try this suggested prayer practice this week:
1. Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and remember that God loves you and you are in God’s presence.
2. Imagine God calling you by name, asking “(Your name), what do you want?”
3. Answer God honestly with whatever word or phrase comes from deep within you.
4. Call God by name, a name you frequently use for God.
5. Combine your name for God with your word or phrase to form a brief prayer that flows smoothly.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

Let’s join together and pray for our divided world. Post—or respond to—prayer requests and praise reports on The Upper Room Prayer Wall.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

5 Comments

  • Jill Posted November 4, 2020 4:48 am

    Knowing that God hears my cries, desires me to cry out to Him – assures me that He is a loving Father. None of what is occurring which is stressing me is news to Him. He sovereignly permits trials and suffering, which if received properly on my end, will lead to continued transformation and bolstered hope.
    The sunshine has been abundant and brilliant these past two days. I took a walk yesterday and had downloaded a podcast with the author from our readings from last week was the guest. She spoke so tenderly of sorrow and grief. We need to lean in to God more than ever and trust He is forming us.
    I am currently crying out to God on my former student’s behalf. And, also, for my dad. When he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in February of 2018, he was told it was not aggressive and that it would not come in to play, as he would die of natural causes before the cancer had any impact. Alas, this is likely not true. His yearly test result showed an elevated number and the test is being run again. It is not that the number, in and of itself, is high. But, the change in one year’s time, is significant. Dad’s brother began treatment for his prostate cancer three weeks ago – he is on an oral chemo and has daily radiation. His numbers were off the chart. With covid numbers at a record high in my state, many doctors are going back to virtual visits. I will wait to see if this is true for dad’s follow-up and will be with him, if I am permitted to go in to the office. If it is virtual, I will be at his side.

  • Marcy Posted November 4, 2020 6:59 am

    As my physical challenges continue to increase, I cry out to God for perseverance and receive His Love, assurance and hope in return. The neurological issues are serious, causing the migraines, vision issues and extend into both arms and hands. This is still believed to be connected to spinal issues high in the neck area. I require surgery for my neck, right shoulder replacement and now hip replacements on both sides due to end stage joint damage from rheumatoid arthritis. The breathing issues of asthma coupled with worsening COPD are ongoing. There are a few other things I won’t go into, but suffice it to say I am overwhelmed. If the Affordable Care Act is taken away, I will have no way to get the treatments and surgeries required, as Medicaid alone does not cover the costs . If it were not for my daily prayers for others and my trust in God, I’d be completely lost. So yes, I cry out to our Triune God and trust Him, knowing He hears my pleas. Not only for myself but for all those who are in my prayer notebook.

    Thank you all for “listening,” and know that you are still in my prayers daily! Looking forward to my next talk with Julie. I am praying for you fervently, my friend!

    And these three remain: Faith, Hope and Love; and the greatest of these is LOVE! Sending prayers and Love to you all!

  • Julie Posted November 4, 2020 8:30 am

    I am crying out to God about so many things. The divorce, the stress and tension I live with daily, the pandemic and how to navigate Thanksgiving and Christmas which involve hotel stays, whether I will have health insurance next year, my mom’s health and another surgery, what the future beyond divorce holds, the winter that is upon us and how my Reynaud’s will be during it……. I have to hold on the the Lord or else I would drown.
    Prayers for Jill and Larry and may Larry not need agressive treatment. I thank the Lord that the issue was caught early.
    Prayers of rejoicing for Marcy’s post. But prayers of weeping over her continued health issues that seem to mount day by day. I, too, pray the ACA remains intact as I also might need to rely on it. Thankfully our governor has started a state equivalent that is supposed to be even more economical.
    Prayers for Ally and David, that they received only good health news yesterday.
    Prayers for Robert and his family, may they all be safe and well.

  • robert moeller Posted November 4, 2020 8:58 am

    I add my voice to the many and varied prayers for help and support asked, submitted, prayed for by the dear UR family. Your needs and requests are great, heartfelt, heart given. I am so thankful that we have a God who can and willingly does listen to us. God’s response comes in ways we both understand and fail to comprehend, but we know that all good comes from God who is perfect love. God promises to lift all believers and in those words we find comfort and peace.

    Cancer, Reynaud’s, Marcy’s multiple health issues, and divorce rise to the top of the needs in my mind, but every request is listened to by God. You will be sustained, cared for, comforted always Nothing can separate you from the love of God. Thank You, Lord.

  • Ally Posted November 4, 2020 10:34 am

    Good morning all, I’m starting by answering yesterday’s questions on spiritual practices which facilitate confession and repentance. I love the means of grace. Holy Communion connects me with God like no other means, through the prayers of confession and praise. God’s balm soothes my heart and puts me right through the meal of Christ’s body and blood.
    As to today’s question: During the trials I have faced lately: our health issues, the state of our country, the plight of children in various crises, the pandemic: I have cried out to God. I remember the story of Hagar, who cried out to God in despair, asking God to see her and hear her. God sent an oasis so that she and Ishmael could drink and not die of thirst. In her gratitude to God, Hagar called God El-Roi, The God Who Sees Me. Praying the Psalms has helped me to see God and not wallow in despair. I try to listen for God’s voice, asking God to give me ears to hear.
    I give God praise for yesterday’s news at our appointments. The wound care dr. was very pleased with David’s progress. He said that the wound is almost healed, advising us of how to keep it healed. My primary care dr. gave me clearance to have cataract surgery. I meet with the surgeon today and go for pre-op labs, etc. on 11/16. Heart cath is still scheduled for Friday. I’m thankful my sister is coming to be with me. Please pray for my cousin who is in a very bad place mental health-wise.
    Jill, prayers of comfort and healing for your friend with cancer and that she receives healing and feels the Lord’s presence. Praying also for Larry: for healing and that aggressive treatment will not be needed. Praying that he keeps his spirits up. Prayers also for your uncle, who recently started prostate cancer treatments. Praying you can be with Larry for his appointment. Marcy, so good to hear from you. You are in my heart and my prayers regarding your health. I too am concerned about what will happen to ACA, as I have several close friends who depend on it for coverage. I worry myself because of the the protections we could lose regarding pre-existing conditions. I stand with you. Julie, please know that your are also in my prayers and in my heart. Praying you keep holding on to God. Lifting up your mom and her recovery process, your health, the divorce, and also praying that Tazzie’s appetite has returned. Robert, thanks for your continued prayers for all of us. You are so right that we can trust the Lord, as God keeps God’s promises. For our other regulars: I pray that in these crazy times we all hold on to God’s unchanging hand. Thanks be to God for God’s tender mercies. Alleluia.

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