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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

I began using the [Protestant prayer] beads in prayer. I started tentatively, holding the beads one at a time and offering up particular prayer requests and events for which I was thankful. Gaining confidence, I experimented with ways of using the beads to praise, to confess, to intercede, and to offer thanks. Eventually, I practiced listening with the beads. Over time, I realized I had become comfortable with prayer.

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

Today’s Question

How do you think prayer beads can help people who pray often? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. … But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
—Matthew 6:5-6 (NIV)

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)

All Saints Day

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

3 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted November 1, 2022 7:07 am

    I have no idea how these prayer beads will help those who pray often. I’m not captivated by prayer beads. I can and do pray without them. If others find them helpful, wonderful.
    A new month, All Saints Day, thankful for all the saints who have gone before us and are amongst us. Their effort and example helps us to better love God and do God’s work. Prayers for Ed, the husband of a Bible study friend. Ed has dementia and his actions are causing great concern.
    Between worship, Lay Servant class, and a book study I’m learning a lot about John Wesley, grace, early Methodism, and why we as Methodists do, believe, and worship as we do. It all makes great sense to me.
    Thankful for renewed resources that enable life to continue. Prayers for God’s wisdom as we vote. Hope for peaceful, fair, honest elections and transparent results that all can accept.
    A delightful walk around a beaver pond yesterday, it invoked memories of a similar pond behind my house when I was in high school and my first year of college. Fabulous weather, sat by the pond and took it all in. Very thankful it is close by and can be easily visited. Thank You, Lord.

  • Jill Posted November 1, 2022 9:36 am

    I feel like those who make this a practice – it is there comfort zone and it helps them focus, perhaps remembering stances or requests.
    My kitties have filled my heart with joy. I have never had more than one cat at a time and I got Roger when he was about 7 months old. These two – so tiny. The one purred for me last night before we all retired. They are a blur of frenzy first thing in the morning. I am sitting in the other room trying to pray and read the Bible and it sounds like my kitchen is disintegrating.
    Grateful for mild temps and not as much rain as anticipated yesterday and thus far today. Was able to run outdoors each morning in very mild temps. Supposed to be delightfully Indian summer-ish the rest of the week.
    I have a two hour meeting after work today – not great, but hopefully somewhat informational. A former colleague is running it – and she is very good.

  • Julie Posted November 1, 2022 9:39 am

    I can understand how prayer beads would cause one to sit and concentrate on each prayer for each bead. It would provide a means to slow down and methodically pray about various things. It could focus one’s thoughts as each bead would focus on a single item. I have considered using them myself.
    H is currently trying to fix our master bath sink drains as they have become clogged. I called a plumber yesterday but they will not be able to come today. H said he was aware of the issue yesterday when I told him I called the plumber, yet he stayed in bed all day instead of addressing the issue. Later today I am going to go to the place that sells boats to pin them down on coming to get the boat this week as I want it gone. It is a constant distraction to h.
    Prayers for Ally and David, Jill and her family, Lou and her mother and Robert and his friend with dementia.

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