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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

In many ways, Dorothy [Day]’s own life was marked by episodes of unhappiness—but like many saints, she made great use of her own disappointments. Precisely through her own disappointments and her passion to be with others in theirs, she came to have peace, a fundamental joy, deeper and more enduring than any mere personal pleasantries. Her energy emanated from her devotional life and from an unshakable sense of being in sync with her divine calling.

—James C. Howell, Servants, Misfits, and Martyrs: Saints and Their Stories (Upper Room Books, 1999)

Today’s Question

When have disappointments pointed you to a deeper joy and peace in God? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Don’t you know? Haven’t you heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the creator of the ends of the earth.
He doesn’t grow tired or weary.
His understanding is beyond human reach,
giving power to the tired
and reviving the exhausted.

—Isaiah 40:28-29 (CEB)

Prayer for the Week

Loving God, I give you thanks for those who have pointed me to you and your love. I give thanks for those who have challenged me to be your hands and feet in the world around me. Give me the confidence and desire to do the same for others, to be an example of faithfulness. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

After a significant loss, many people rush to get back a sense of normalcy without allowing themselves time to heal and learn from that loss. Our loving and compassionate God longs to walk with individuals on a transformational journey through loss toward becoming more emotionally and spiritually whole. What Loss Can Teach Us: A Sacred Pathway to Growth and Healing, shows readers that God offers an “on ramp” to the process of tending to their pain. Discover more.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

4 Comments

  • Julie Posted November 3, 2021 8:37 am

    This is a question I cannot answer off the top of my head. I have a lot on my mind and am worried about the very real possibility of the surgeon calling off the surgery. I feel like everything is in flux and nothing is certain. As if I am standing on quicksand.
    Prayers for Ally and David, praying all went well at the urologist yesterday. Prayers for Jill as she continues to prepare for her review and prayers of thanks for the colleague’s assistance. Prayers for Robert as he continues to remain active and explore nature and his surroundings on long hikes. Prayers for Marti and her staff. Thank you for your prayers and may God bless all who visit here.

  • Lou Posted November 3, 2021 12:48 pm

    I think that disappointments in my life have ultimately led me to turn more to God – casting my cares on him. It hasn’t been an immediate reaction but in my times of trouble and disappointment I have turned inward and to God and there I am able to find some peace – peace that the world does not give. Prayers for my friends struggling with the unexpected death of their son- prayers for all who are troubled and grieving and those seeking peace in their lives. Prayers for the elderly and prayers for the young just beginning and searching for their paths – and prayers for those like me in the middle trying to follow where God leads even tho we may not understand- peace to all who come here today.

  • Jill Posted November 3, 2021 4:20 pm

    The truest, deepest peace I felt was during mom’s struggle. Of course it was still the most challenging thing I ever went through, and there were moments when I wasn’t sure I could hang in there. But, when alone with my thoughts…in the car, in bed, in the shower, out running…God’s peace was very present, as was my confidence in Him. Yes, mom’s reaction was incredibly disappointing. But, I also had a much deeper abiding with Him in the midst of it all.
    Roger’s health has taken a nose dive the past few days. This morning – he was very sick. I will be returning to the vet with him tomorrow.
    With the difficult morning with Roger and feeling lousy due to my shots yesterday, I only worked this afternoon. I didn’t have any classes this morning, so I stayed home to keep an eye on Roger and to rest. I slept very poorly last night. I think I will passing on small group study this evening and heading to bed quite soon.
    I am grateful for my two best friends who comforted me this morning regarding Roger. I was so upset I had my dad in tears, too.

  • robert moeller Posted November 4, 2021 2:17 am

    If I had to pick the disappointment that had the greatest help from God, it has to be the passing of my wife, Soo Ok. There was peace, certainly not joy, but consolation, resolution, and peace. In different ways that was also true when my Dad, first, and then 7 years later, my Mom passed away.
    Early activity postponed my post yesterday, the benefit is that I am able to see your posts first.
    Prayers that surgery will take place and be successful, Julie. Even more so I pray for resolution to your legal issues. Prayers for Roger’s well-being. Jill, her school, students, friends, and especially Dad. Prayers for Lou, your children and Mom, the work you do, friends who have losses, and the position in life you are in. Worship plans are coming together, we’ll have a pastor and communion.
    A good day yesterday with my counselor, my son, and after a break, my model. Erich’s surgery went well, he’s healing. Thankful for the blessings of the day. Thank You, Lord.

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