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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

We often fall short because our new year intentions depend so much on our willpower and our efforts without being grounded on, rooted in, or supported by the pull and push of the Spirit. A friend of mine says willpower is an exhaustible resource; it just takes too much effort to keep going. The intention of getting more exercise is good, yet how does it fit into a holistic plan for caring for God’s temple, the body? Our willpower can only get us so far. God’s care and nudges can sustain us over the long haul.

—Larry J. Peacock, The Living Nativity: Preparing for Christmas with Saint Francis (Upper Room Books, 2018)

Today’s Question

How can you let the Holy Spirit guide you to holistic care for your body? Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

“I ask that Christ will live in your hearts through faith. As a result of having strong roots in love, I ask that you’ll have the power to grasp love’s width and length, height and depth, together with all believers. I ask that you’ll know the love of Christ that is beyond knowledge so that you will be filled entirely with the fullness of God.”
—Ephesians 3:17-19 (CEB)

Prayer for the Week

Hallelujah! God is with us. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

The Upper Room wishes you a blessed Christmas season, full of joy and love, in celebration of the greatest gift of all—Jesus Christ. You can continue to spread the gift of Jesus by giving to The Upper Room.
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Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

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11 Comments

  • Jill Posted December 27, 2019 6:31 am

    Keeping the prayer, the desire before the Lord – asking for wisdom, discernment, guidance in maintaining this gift of a body, His temple. Being attuned to the body as well, listening to the signals it is sending.
    Grateful for the time together with family and close friends this holiday season. Dad seemed a bit “stonger” – emotions, perhaps, more hidden or under control. I think it is good these holidays are behind us.
    I head to the beach tomorrow – really looking forward to a change of pace, to the rhythm of the seashore. And while it won’t be warm, it will be warmer than here and I will walk the beach daily. My friend and her dog are going, as per our usual. It should be very good.

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted December 27, 2019 8:45 pm

      Enjoy your trip, Jill!

      May you be refreshed and recharged for the new year, 2020!

  • Andrea Posted December 27, 2019 8:31 am

    Psalm 32:8 – I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

    Another gray morning. I am going to therapeutic yoga with my close friend/neighbor, Sharon. I haven’t seen her in a week so this will be a Christmas get-together.

    Thankful for a good night’s sleep. Today I will make the necessary phone calls to see a specialist for my back. Yesterday morning, the discomfort was excruciating. Lowell and I still got out for a walk.

    Have a safe and restful trip, Jill. My prayers are with you and your friend, as well as your father and sister. Prayers for all dear UR friends and those for whom you pray.

    Wishing all a blessed day.

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted December 27, 2019 8:47 pm

      May you recover from your backache soon!

      Blessings!

      • Andrea Posted December 27, 2019 9:25 pm

        Thank you, Mary. What a lovely devotion you wrote. God bless you and I wish you a good weekend.

        • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted December 29, 2019 3:58 am

          Thanks Andrea!

          May you have a great week ahead!

          Blessings!

  • Julie Posted December 27, 2019 8:39 am

    I already exercise and watch what I eat. I take medicine in the hope of keeping healthy, especially my fingers and toes.
    Prayers for safe travel and a relaxing vacation for Jill.
    Prayers for Mary. Mary wrote the UR Devotional for today! It was wonderful. Congratulations Mary, may I see many more of your writings published.
    Prayers for April, BJ, Betsy and Rick, may all be blessed with good health and joy unbounded.
    Prayers for Andrea, her daughter, SIL, and grandson, may they be mending their marriage and finding help for their son.
    Prayers for Connie, may she find comfort during her time of grief regarding the death of her beloved aunt.
    Prayers for Lou and her daughters, may her daughters have safe travels home.
    Prayers for Marcy, for improved health and insurance and government aid reinstated soon.
    Prayers for Robert, for safe travel and a good visit with his daughter and granddaughters. The local model train club was burglarized and four hand built train cars were stolen.
    Prayers and thank you UR

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted December 27, 2019 8:41 pm

      Thank you Julie!

      You are always an inspiration to me!

      May God bless you with better health and wisdom to eat wisely every meal!

  • Howard Segars Posted December 27, 2019 9:17 am

    Thank you Mary for sharing you strong faith in your devotional in The Upper Room. I pray God will continue to bless you and keep you and make HIS face shine on you. You have been a true blessing to those who read the daily comments here, with you encouraging words and prayers. God bless you a true child of the Father!

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted December 27, 2019 8:43 pm

      Thank you Howard!

      May God blessings and favor always be upon you!

      • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted December 27, 2019 8:49 pm

        May God’s blessings and favor always be upon you, Howard!

        Blessings!

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