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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

One year I was invited to a different kind of New Year’s Eve party. … Following dinner, the host gave us a list of questions and invited us to take an hour of silence to reflect about the past year and our hopes for the year to come. We each found a cozy space in the home and entered into the reflections, sometimes using the questions and sometimes simply recalling experiences of the year.

The questions were along these lines: What was your greatest joy in the year? Do you have any regrets or things you would like to do over? How have you grown as a person, employee, neighbor, or church member? Did you find a scripture passage that became a guiding light for you this year? In the new year, is there a special inward or outward work you would like to accomplish?

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

Today’s Question

Reflect on some of the author’s questions for today. Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in faith so that you overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
—Romans 15:13 (CEB)

Prayer for the Week

Creator God, Give me wisdom to learn from the blessings, stresses, and sorrows of all that lies behind, and give me the strength and hope to press on to what lies ahead.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

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Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

4 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted December 31, 2020 7:54 am

    I miss so much when I am the first to post. I went back to look at earlier comments, only got as far as yesterday. So much to be thankful for as a result: healing from cancer, a new business, calm and resolve, well being, a new spiritual director. Following your example I am working on my own reflection of the year about to pass and the hopes for the new year. Between the UR and the Advent Bible study the Holy Spirit’s earthly helpers are urging me on. Thank you!

    In the world I hope for a strong start on deceasing global warming / climate change. To me it would help the most people. That followed by health and welfare, social justice, and an inclusive rather than divisive attitude. At home a peaceful transition, the end of Covid, restoration of the economy, serious efforts to end systemic racism, great healthcare for all, and an end to the division that has caused serious problems for our country. Thankful that I have thus far survived Covid, I pray for the ability to help my son find his way in life, that both of my children have faith. Prayers always for the UR family, my church family, family and friends.

    I learned yesterday of the passing of Janet Bonneau who did layout for the Central Vermont Railway Historical Society’s journal. A very tough loss.

    Thankful that God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, are with us always. That truth is sustaining. Thank You, Lord.

  • Julie Posted December 31, 2020 8:38 am

    I just had a nasty encounter with h which has left me shaken and afraid. So forgive me if my answer today is incoherent. I related yesterday that this year I would like to work on journaling, deep reflection time with the Lord, delving into several faith related books I have purchased as well as join Zoom worship services and Zoom Bible studies. Ally has graciously offered her assistance to facilitate the last two.
    Prayers for Robert and his recent loss, may this knowledgable woman be with the Lord and at peace.
    Prayers for Ally and David, may both recover more health this year and may Ally’s business be a success. I eagerly await your communication with the links. I have posted my email several days in a row. But here it is again julie020664@gmail.com.
    Prayers for Jill and her students who cheated, may they come to resolution that Jill feels comfortable with and conveys the magnitude of her disappointment.
    Prayers for Marcy and she said that she appreciates the prayers. She does communicate with text. She related that she had to stop a COPD med and is having trouble breathing. She is also having financial and emotional difficulties.
    May our counrty find healing this coming year.

  • Lou Posted December 31, 2020 9:09 am

    Prayers for our world – for peace and recovery. Prayers that God will continue to lead and guide us and protect us through this pandemic. Prayers for Gods mercy and blessings upon fall those who come here to the UR.
    Thank you for the prayers for offered here for me and my family and your response to my requests. My youngest was with me for 10 days and my son and girlfriend joined us several times – we were thoughtful and careful regarding the Covid restrictions and thankfully all seems to have gone well for the four of us. Praise God that I was able to celebrate Christmas with two of my children and connect with the third virtually. I am so thankful for the blessings of my children. I thank God for his goodness and protection. My youngest has returned to school in NYC – ready to start a new semester remotely. I pray for God to keep my children safe and to keep all of you safe as well. A blessed New Years Eve to you all- this is the first time in my life that I will be alone on NYE- I’m unsure of how I will handle that but I’m trying to think of it as just another day. god bless you all.

  • Jill Posted December 31, 2020 9:56 am

    As I try to think of 2020 before the pandemic became a reality – I think of the six days I spent with my dad at my sister’s place in Florida. We returned to the area where my sister and I spent time with mom and dad and mom’s sister and her husband. The weather was great, the time on the beach seems luxurious. The carefree nature of going into a coffee shop and getting a latte, walking through stores to just browse, unaware of time. I think back to the amount of discomfort I was in on that trip – and the subsequent changing of medications. And how that led to 5 months of not feeling well and yet, another switch. After my run this morning, while showering – I reflected on how well my body has bounced back, how pleasant it is to have a stomach I don’t have to worry about and just a sense of feeling well. My discomfort is mostly manageable and I am grateful for the current medication I am on.
    My daughter’s basketball team celebrated “senior night” last night before her game, for fear that covid could shut everything down before the end of the season. Of course, my tech savvy was not up to snuff enough and I missed her being introduced with her parents. I thought I started plenty early, but there is always a snag. I had a new cord which allows me to connect my phone right to my tv. Seems simple enough. But, alas, nothing is simple for me when it comes to tech. I was able to watch the game.
    Lou – so glad your holidays were a blessing for you.

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