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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

My family members share a somewhat dark sense of humor. Like many great comedians who wring laughter out of life’s challenges, the tough Kentuckians of my family have survived by learning to laugh even in the face of pain and loss. In the most demanding situations, we can find something to laugh about. …

Laughter is one of God’s good gifts to us. Making time to laugh is a spiritual discipline that can lead us to gratitude for the people and experiences that move us to laughter.

—Mary Lou Redding, God Was with Me All Along: A Guide for Capturing Your Memories and Telling Your Story (Upper Room Books, 2020)

Today’s Question

What memory makes you laugh or smile? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

A cheerful heart is a good medicine,

but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.
—Proverbs 17:22 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Loving God, be near me as I recall events from my life. Guide me to look at my past with forgiveness and love. Help me to accept where I am in my life journey and to recognize ways you have been present with me all along. Thank you for your unconditional love and for the strength you give me each day. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

In Fully Human, Fully Divine, Whitney R. Simpson writes, “An embodied Advent invites us to live the experience of this season fully, with our whole selves, right here and right now as we await the Christ child.” Learn more about this year’s Advent resource by visiting UpperRoom.org/fullyhuman.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

Reign of Christ

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

1 Comment

  • robert moeller Posted November 16, 2022 7:59 am

    I’m trying to find the funniest memory Thankfully there are many moments of laughter. One time my wife and I were to meet at a certain spot once we had finished our errands. We came to the corner of a building and waited around the corner from each other for a bit before finding each other! Soo Ok, SoGi, is on my mind this week. Many wonderful memories. I knew of her for 14 months, returned after 3 years and 5 months and learned on our first dates she was the person I knew of, had had interactions with in my first visit to Korea.
    There is something mysteriously wonderful about our meeting. We met in September of 1974 and married
    April 20, 1975.
    Snow on the ground! It’s white outside. Only a few days ago it was in the 60s. I still think predictions to ski on Thanksgiving are premature.
    Found another bakery that makes Hermit cookies. Have yet to try them.
    Our German baked goods, Lebkuchen, Stollen, order is arriving soon. It’s been a tradition since the 80s.
    A long but productive church council meeting last night. Our coordinating pastor was with us, very thankful for her participation. We’ll be masking again starting the 27th through January, wish it wasn’t necessary, but
    SAFETY FIRST.
    Prayers for all the ways you can be safe, improved health and well-being, and acknowledgement of God’s eternal presence. Thank You, Lord.

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