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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 Yoruba tribe of Nigeria call their old people “wisdom people.” According to oral tradition, they believe that when a knowledgeable old person dies, a whole library’s worth of information disappears. In other past societies, the old people were called “elders” because it was recognized that having lived so long, they had harvested wisdom. …

Wisdom is the art of living in rhythm with your soul, your life, and God. Even today, our world would be well advised to listen to and accept the wisdom of older people.

—Richard L. Morgan, Light of Setting Suns: Reflecting on Realities and Mysteries at Ninety Years of Life (Upper Room Books, 2020)

Today’s Question

How often do you listen to the wisdom of older people? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy.
—James 3:17 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Lord of love, grant me courage to accept my trials, learn to
endure them with patience, and realize that such courage
and faith create character. Amen.
Prayer by Richard L. Morgan
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

What does it mean to live a contemplative life? In Everyday Contemplative, Roger Owens challenges readers to expand their definition of contemplative living to encompass all ways of seeking to be more open, available, and responsive to God. Learn more here.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

2 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted November 8, 2022 6:57 am

    I have gotten along with older people all my life, and yes experience helps them know things younger people do not know. There’s also an aspect of stuck in their ways that comes with age as well. I think I can say this since I’m 75 and am in the same boat. Balancing the wisdom of all ages seems a better idea. Want help with your computer or the internet, young people to the rescue!
    Prayers for the USA on this election day. Wisdom is most certainly needed this day. Thank You, Lord.

  • Julie Posted November 8, 2022 9:00 am

    I have also always been well aware of older adults wonderful qualities and talents. I gravitate to older people as friends.
    I had a horrible day yesterday. First h changed his mind regarding the sale of the car which needs to happen because we need the money. Also he has officially lost his license so there is no need to maintain his vehicle. We agues and he threatened to not sign the boat documents. Then my doctor called again and I feel harassed. They keep bothering me about my sodium level so I am going to call my PCP who knows more about what is normal for me because the other doctor won’t listen to me. Today I have a mammogram and ultrsound because I have dense breast tissue. The stress never ends.
    Prayers for Ally and David and kitties, for Jill as she seeks help with her new health issue, Lou as she mournes her brother, and Robert and the CCUMC as they try to continue to grow and thrive.

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