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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

WHAT A RELIEF that God’s reality and trustworthiness does not depend on our feelings. And God can be trusted with all our emotions and all our hungers, pains, fears, and doubts. The reason we are called to wait on God during Advent is because God always shows up. While we wait on God, we can lean into the believing community that trusts with us and for us. Hope and belief can be shared within the body of Christ.

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

Today’s Question

What support do you need from others as you wait on God?  Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

“Instead, by speaking the truth with love, let’s grow in every way into Christ, who is the head. The whole body grows from him, as it is joined and held together by all the supporting ligaments. The body makes itself grow in that it builds itself up with love as each one does its part.”
—Ephesians 4:15-16 (CEB)

Prayer for the Week

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

Something More

As we enter the third week of Advent, let’s step back from the encroaching busyness of the holiday season to listen to God through the silence, thanking God for the gift of Emmanuel. Help others to experience the presence of Christ by giving to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

Sponsored by The Upper Room. Copyright © 2019 | PO Box 340004 | Nashville, TN 37203-0004 | USA

7 Comments

  • Patricia J Chapman Posted December 18, 2019 7:57 am

    What I need from others is the same as I get from the Lord – lots of love and understanding at this time in my life.

  • Julie Posted December 18, 2019 8:30 am

    I need their belief in the coming when my belief and hope waver, just as I provide belief when their’s faulters. I need to feel belonging within of a body of believers.
    Prayers and welcome to Patricia, thank you for your comment. I would amend it that we need love and understanding at all times in our lives. We must also give love and understanding to all.
    Prayers for Andrea and her daughter, may work be going better.
    Prayers for April, BJ and Rick.
    Prayers for Connie and her dormant garden, remember the flowers.
    Prayers for Jill and Larry, for relief from physical and emotional pain.
    Prayers for Lou, for a wonderful new normal.
    Prayers for Mary, may she have a good Christmas before embarking on a mission trip.
    Prayers for Marcy, may she be safe and well and have all resources soon reinstated.
    Prayers for Robert, may his train work well and may he enjoy a holiday with many family members.
    Prayers and thank you UR

    • Andrea Posted December 18, 2019 3:23 pm

      Thank you, Julie. Prayers for you and Megan, may you both be wrapped in Advent peace and joy.

  • robert moeller Posted December 18, 2019 10:19 am

    The support of my church and this UR family help me. I agree with Patricia and Julie. We are God’s arms on earth, we help as we are enabled and others help us when we need it. God sees us through when we are not up to the task.
    Grace is the safety net.

    Snow last night, sun shine today. It’s beautiful.
    Thankful for UR family prayers, Julie you do wonders. Trains are running, cleaning, and laundry done, new curtains in the kitchen, snow shoveled.
    Prayers for the UR family, especially needs that we are unable to provide personally, physically.
    Blessings!

  • Rick Posted December 18, 2019 7:37 pm

    Thank you Julie and Robert , I agree with you both and welcome Patricia. I concur with your thoughts and will continue to Pray for the needs of those here And celebrating the joys as well. Wishing Gods Blessings to all this advent season ☺️

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted December 18, 2019 10:21 pm

    The prayer support and encouragement from others are what I need from others as I wait on God.

    As a body of Christ, we need to edify and build up one another.

    Thank you my UR friends for your prayers and encouragement!

    I am eternally grateful for each and every one of you!

    May we continue to support one another in prayer and encourage one another in the body of Christ!

    Blessings!

  • Jill Posted December 19, 2019 4:16 am

    What I need from others – I desire to see people affirming His goodness, despite difficult circumstances. I didn’t realize how powerful this would be to me, until I began attending the cancer support groups. Yes, there were a few individuals in my life who were incredibly supportive and staunch in their trust in God, His Sovereignty. But when I witnessed people who were in the midst of a multi-year struggle with cancer and completely professed their belief in Our Father’s goodness – this is what nurtured my soul. To hear them pray, trusting God with their cancer, even asking for a return of cancer/setback – if this would draw then nearer to Him. What faith – may it be so of me, as well.
    Father – for the people You have brought into my realm, onto my path – I praise You. Please use me as You see fit.

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