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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

If fundraising as ministry is about loving and being loved, then it is also a call to conversion for everyone involved. First, rooted in our call to help build a community of love, we are challenged to shift from an ashamed stance of bowing down as we ask for money to standing confidently. Fundraising is not begging. Our culture wants us to judge ourselves and others in terms of status, money, and power. We “look up” to some people and “look down” upon others. When we are fully grounded in love, nobody is beneath us and nobody is above us. It takes courage to develop this confidence in who we are and apply this to our work as fundraisers.

—Nathan Ball, Henri J.M. Nouwen, A Spirituality of Fundraising Workbook Edition (Upper Room Books, 2019)

Today’s Question

How can you cultivate courage and confidence in who God created you to be? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Finally, let’s draw near to the throne of favor with confidence so that we can receive mercy and find grace when we need help.
—Hebrews 4:16 (CEB)

Prayer for the Week

Dear God,
Show me how to use my talents and treasures in ways that demonstrate my love for you and for my neighbors. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

Join The Upper Room in prayer for the U.S. Election. Visit The Upper Room Facebook page on Monday, November 2 and Tuesday, November 3 at 11 a.m. (CST) for guided prayer. Regardless of any divisions we have over perspective or politics, let us join together and pray. Save the date, and save the link: facebook.com/UpperRoomCenter

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

3 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted October 31, 2020 6:24 am

    Put God first in order to cultivate courage and confidence in who God created me to be. Thankful that the funds needed to install a new heating system at church have been met. The work will be done the week of November 9th. Plans are being developed for ways to celebrate Advent and Christmas during the pandemic, A new month begins tomorrow with resources in hand. Thanksgiving dinner is planned.
    Am thankful to be healthy and able. Prayers for God’s wisdom as Americans vote. Lord, guide us through this pandemic with the ability to find a vaccine provided for everyone. Blessings of mercy, grace, and love to everyone from God, the Father, Jesus, our Lord and Savior, and the Holy Spirit now and always. Amen.
    Thank You, Lord.

  • Jill Posted October 31, 2020 6:34 am

    If I truly trust in God – His love, His promises, His plan and timing – then I must stand tall as the person He created me to be. When my courage and confidence waver, I must get back on my knees, return to The Cross and delve even deeper into His Word. He is who He says He is and He created me intentionally, in His image, with the goal of transforming me to be like His Son. Thank You, Father.
    Ally – I am sorry to hear of the discouraging news you received from your doctor. I hope you have confidence in her. May God strengthen you as you face necessary procedures and precautions. Yes, trust and obey. And when that seems impossible, cry out to Him for His mercy…He is near.

  • Julie Posted October 31, 2020 8:46 am

    Courage and confidence are two characteristics I am lacking now. I can read the words but they do not reach my heart. God made me in His image is an intellectual fact but in my heart I feel like I am a nothing and even He despises me. I do not know how to move beyond the wounds and embrace His love.
    Prayers for Robert and his church and their circumspect manner of approaching safety, worship and community during the pandemic.
    Prayers for Jill and Larry as they continue to navigate the new social isolation and making sure that they still have meaningful interactions safely.
    Prayers for Ally, I hold you in my prayers and in my heart. My heart broke when I read your words. I pray that no major issues are found during the catheterization and that you will recover quickly and completely. I pray for David to have the strength and good health necessary to help you through this.
    I am completely in the dark as to h, his Parkinson’s, his work and if he will continue to be paid and so many other areas of concern I know it is difficult to comprehend that we live in the same house but are totally autonomous. I have not spoken a word to him in months, literally not a word spoken between us in months!

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