Today’s Reflection
Why is silence necessary for listening, and what happens when we enter into the silence of solitary prayer? We begin to let go of ourselves, which allows us to hear God. … If we wish to pray—and by this I mean open ourselves up to the possibility that God will speak to us, teach us, transform us—we must allow space in the busy world we have created. … We must go to a place where the world does not overwhelm us.
—Daniel Wolpert, Creating a Life with God: The Call of Ancient Prayer Practices (Upper Room Books, 2003)
Today’s Question
What places have you found to pray where the world does not overwhelm you? Join the conversation.
Today’s Scripture
The Lord is in his holy temple;
let all the earth keep silence before him!
—Habakkuk 2:20 (NRSV)
Prayer for the Week
Our Father* in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.
*Use whatever name for God you prefer, such as Creator, Sustainer, etc.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
Join us for the next online Academy Day Apart retreat, Hope in a Time of Despair: Advent Through Immigrant Eyes with Alexia Salvatierra and Rubén Ortiz. On December 3, 2022, we will explore themes of biblical justice and the marginalization of individuals and communities in a community of worship and spiritual practice. Learn more.
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
6 Comments
In the early morning quiet of my room or out on the trails in the woods I find places where the world
does not overwhelm me. Thankful for CBT progress, successful errands, a short walk between periods of rain, a wonderful dinner, and Lay Servant class yesterday. A lot of what we are learning as Methodist emphasis and especially practices hasn’t been done to the best of my memory in UM churches I’ve attended all my life. How did we get off course? It’s not that we don’t do good, we’re just out of tune with Wesley’s theology. Adam Hamilton’s book on Faith as Wesley lived it is a big help. Continued prayers for Ally&David, Jill, Julie, April, Lou, Rick, and Scott and the NEM community of faith. Thank you for your prayers.
I like to go to the beach to pray. Lake Michigan is only a short walk away for me and it is always a peaceful place to go. But yesterday as the leaves rained down in my back yard around me my yard was a fine place to pray. I pray in the car and In the grocery line, in my office or my kitchen – anywhere I can find a little quiet inside myself to pray.
I have been praying overtime since I last posted. My brother was hospitalized at the end of august and he died rather quickly which came as a shock to us after a 5 week hospital stay. I think it is finally beginning to sink in. My
Mother was by his side everyday of his hospitalization and she is grieving deeply. Prayers for my mother especially and for my family. Thank you.
I’ve continued to follow along here and you have all been in my prayers. God’s blessings and peace to all of you this day.
My first college degree was forestry. I was sure that was where I wanted to be. Then the forest became work not a quiet place to get away from the noise. After retirement from the ministry I find quiet in the forest again now that there is time to enjoy God’s forest environment again. Returning to some old desires and habits may not be all bad.
Again, as I mentioned yesterday, h does not allow this. He even listens in on my therapy sessions though I implore him to go to his room and leave me in privacy for one hour.
Yesterday was a very trying day with h. I pray today is easier but so far not so much. He tends to become focused on one subject to the exclusion of all others. He is relentless. He follows me around and also stalks me from behind.
Prayers for Ally and David, for improved health and finances. Prayers of gratitude for Lewis’s recovery. Prayers for Jill and her family. Prayers and condolences for Lou, may God lift her and her mother up. Prayers for Robert and his fellow church members who are attending certification training and for those in the congregation who are reluctant to embrace the changes in worship. May all come to together in peace.
My sister and I did a private retreat years ago at a convent not far from our hometown. We met a sister who told us, “the only way you can hear God is to listen”. That stuck with me, and that convent is one of the places where I have heard God’s voice. Another place that is dear to me and where I first heard God’s voice is the UMC assembly where I grew up going to camp. It is a place of peace and rest.
David has been diligent about doing his PT homework and seems stronger already. He’s working hard in outpatient PT and is enjoying it. Kitty Lewis removing bit by bit, we would like to see him eat more and are giving him some treats to stimulate his appetite. The pinched nerve in my back is acting up again. We appreciate your prayers.
Martin, thank you for your insight from your work in forestry and from your work in ministry. Lou, prayers that you and your mom feel God’s comfort as you mourn your brother. Lake Michigan is beautiful. Robert, I agree that a return to Wesleyan theology in UMC crucial. Julie, prayers for you as you care for H, that you will feel God’s grace.
Love to all!
My morning time is quiet, peaceful and where I begin each day with God. I love sitting in my beach chair and “throwing prayers into the ocean”. I can also be enveloped into a holy space in my car with certain worship songs.
Lou – deep condolences to you and your mother. Oh, a mother’s grief. May God comfort her and you, as well.
Today, to open our session together, my spiritual director began our time with silence and asked me to close it, when I was ready, by just saying “Amen”. I came in discombobulated by a day of unending distractions and changes. It was the perfect start to our time together…we have settled in and will now be meeting once a month. I am grateful to God for the fit. I love her measured, slow, quiet manner of prayer. Never hurried, very reverent.
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