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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

Christian humility is widely misunderstood. It is intended to characterize our relationship with God, not meaning self-humiliation in relating to others. Christian humility involves neither self-defacement nor demeaning subservience. It isn’t thinking less of one’s self but thinking of one’s self less.

—W. Paul Jones, Becoming Who God Wants You to Be (Upper Room Books, 2013)

Today’s Question

How can you exchange low self-esteem for the kind of humility that encourages you to serve others? [question adapated from Becoming Who God Wants You to Be by W. Paul Jones] Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
—James 4:10 (NRSVUE)

Prayer for the Week

In my brokenness, O God, you gather me in your infinite love. Guide me to serve others without reservation and in ways that reflect your grace. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

The Academy for Spiritual Formation creates transformative space for people to be in communion with God, self, others, and creation for the sake of the world. The Two-Year Academy invites you to embark on a journey of prayer, study, worship, and holy conversation beginning November 2025. Learn more here.

Lectionary Readings

  • Isaiah 62:1-5
  • Psalm 36:5-10
  • 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
  • John 2:1-11

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

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

2 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted January 17, 2025 5:27 am

    Christian humility involves neither self-defacement nor demeaning subservience. It isn’t thinking less of one’s self but thinking of one’s self less.How can you exchange low self-esteem for the kind of humility that encourages you to serve others? [
    New Every Morning
    daily reflections from Upper Room Books

    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.

    Humility
    NEW EVERY MORNING | JANUARY 17, 2025
    This week’s featured book: Becoming Who God Wants You to Be by W. Paul Jones

    Today’s Reflection

    Christian humility is widely misunderstood. It is intended to characterize our relationship with God, not meaning self-humiliation in relating to others. Christian humility involves neither self-defacement nor demeaning subservience. It isn’t thinking less of one’s self but thinking of one’s self less.
    How can you exchange low self-esteem for the kind of humility that encourages you to serve others?
    Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
    —James 4:10 (NRSVUE)
    In my brokenness, O God, you gather me in your infinite love. Guide me to serve others without reservation and in ways that reflect your grace. Amen
    Knowing that I too am broken and need God just like everyone else helps me be humble before God. and put the needs of others on my plate. Thank You, Lord

  • Ally Posted January 17, 2025 2:00 pm

    Several topics in this week’s readings have popped up in leading groups this week at work, and what has been in my head this week. Today we talked about gratitude and how practicing gratitude can lift us motivate us to serve others. The passage from Romans 8: my daddy’s favorite. This week, I’m struggling to believe that nothing, especially powers and principalities, can separate us from Christ Jesus our Lord. I know it in my head that it is true. I need my heart to feel it. I thank God for this forum. Several of our friends here have expressed concerns and needs. I lift all those up. Blessings to all>

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