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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

Prayer beads are a tool for prayer. … I want to emphasize that prayer beads are just one of many tools to assist in prayer. … Many people feel comfortable with prayer and have developed ways of praying that work well for them. … However, many people struggle with prayer. Their minds wander; they get bored; they wonder if they are being heard; they struggle with what to say. Prayer beads can help them develop rich lives of prayer, deepening their connection with God.

—Kristen E. Vincent, A Bead and a Prayer: A Beginner’s Guide to Protestant Prayer Beads (Upper Room Books, 2013)

Today’s Question

What do you do (or what tools do you use) to keep your mind from wandering when you pray? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous person is powerful in what it can achieve.
—James 5:16 (CEB)

Prayer for the Week

The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you,
and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26, NRSV)
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

Have you heard about spiritual direction but haven’t been sure it’s for you? In Sacred Conversation, Marsha Crockett will help you learn more about what spiritual direction is and what it isn’t. This book invites you to experience the possibility of transformation as you stop and ponder the gifts that are offered by the grace of God with the help of a spiritual director. Learn more 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 November 2, 2022 7:28 am

    While, yes, I am distracted, somehow I’m made aware of that and come back to my prayer. I think prayers beads would, for me at least, be a further distraction.
    Thankful for a wonderful day, the car is being readied for winter, will see the dentist today.
    Many people in my area of acquaintance need prayer and for many different reasons. That God can handle all these prayers, knows us by name, by the number of hairs on our heads, is both hard to comprehend and wonderfully reassuring. Thank You, Lord.
    Will do my best to catch up with the NEM family some time today.

  • Jill Posted November 2, 2022 2:53 pm

    The thing which works best for me is to turn to the Psalms, and pray one of them, or maybe just even a verse or two.
    The past few days at school I have been all caught up on grading – not usually the case. I am prepared for next week – as far as having everything posted online for my classes. It is nice to be ahead of schedule.
    Conversations with dad now involve even more excitement in his voice. I am glad to hear it and know how happy he is. He comes home in two weeks and is already mentioning he doesn’t know how he will fill his time.
    Small group this evening. Meeting with a friend from church to walk before going home. We haven’t walked in probably at least a month. It will be good to catch up.

  • Ally Posted November 2, 2022 6:16 pm

    The comment I left yesterday never published. I see how prayer beads can help a person who has trouble remaining on task (like me). I would like to read the book and try some of the suggestions. music helps me shut out distractions when I pray. So does writing my prayers.
    At therapy today, the PT admonished David to work harder toward independence while doing what is safe. She also counseled him about problem solving. Thank You, God. I have been at a loss as to how to get him to work things out instead of depending on me to solve things.
    Jill, I’m so happy to hear about your new babies. May they bring you much joy and companionship. Robert, I thank God with you for a God who hears all of our prayers and wants a relationship with us.
    Whether we are ready or not, the holiday season is encroaching. May we keep eyes on Jesus as we await His coming. Love to all!

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