Unique
Today's Reflection
Each of us is unique. We’ve all heard that, and I absolutely believe it. Each of us reflects God in a way that no one else can. That’s why it’s so important that each of is free to be our true self, in order to reflect the aspects of God that only we embody.
—Mary Lou Redding, God Was with Me All Along: A Guide for Capturing Your Memories and Telling Your Story (Upper Room Books, 2021)
Today's Question
What aspects of God do you best embody when you live as your true self? Join the conversation.
Today's Scripture
[O Lord,] it was you who formed my inward parts;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
—Psalm 139:13-14a, NRSV
Prayer for the Week
You are invited to replace the prayer below with one you recall from your own childhood.
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
Guide me safely through the night,
And wake me with the morning light.
Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
New Every Morning Readers,
The featured book this week, God Was with Me All Along, was written by Mary Lou Redding, who served as the editor of The Upper Room daily devotional guide for many years. We invite you to take advantage of a free 30-day trial subscription to the email edition of The Upper Room, the only daily devotional written entirely by its readers. To start your free trial, visit UpperRoom.org/welcome.
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
0 Comments | Join the Conversation.Meditation
Today's Reflection
Stillness and silence open doors for meditation. My breezeway provides a perfect sanctuary for me to meditate on warm afternoons, with music provided by Carolina wrens perched in the branches of a towering blue spruce. For decades, that tree protected the breezeway from rain and snow. Now I feel sheltered by faith and prayers from the emotional blasts of living with cancer.
Me: My energy’s at zero right now, so I’m
learning to do nothing and to do it well!
Linda, an old Bible study friend: We humans
think we have to be busy all the time. God
is pleased when we can just ‘‘be.” Enjoy the
“being” process.
—Jan Woodard, Texting Through Cancer: Ordinary Moments of Community, Love, and Healing (Upper Room Books, 2021)
Today's Question
When your energy is low, how can you give yourself permission to meditate and just “be”? Join the conversation.
Today's Scripture
“Be still, and know that I am God!
I am exalted among the nations,
I am exalted in the earth.”
—Psalm 46:10 (NRSV)
Prayer for the Week
God of All,
In you I trust.
All will be well.
All will be well.
All will be well. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
Connect people to God in their own language. Give to the International Editions of The Upper Room to help expand the global reach of the daily devotional guide.
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
3 Comments | Join the Conversation.Hurt
Today's Reflection
I wish I could ask our world, “Where does it hurt?” and somehow say everything will be all right. But that’s already been done for us. The Beloved is near, even as we crash due to our own delusions. Jesus takes on our hurts, makes them his own, and carries them to the throne room of heaven. Mourning over Jerusalem and its navel-gazing leaders, this young Jewish rabbi shook his head and said, “How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling” (Matt. 23:37, NASB).
—Jan Woodard, Texting Through Cancer: Ordinary Moments of Community, Love, and Healing (Upper Room Books, 2021)
Today's Question
What hurt do you need to allow Jesus to carry today? Join the conversation.
Today's Scripture
Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.
—1 Peter 5:7 (NRSV)
Prayer for the Week
God of All,
In you I trust.
All will be well.
All will be well.
All will be well. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
Connect people to God in their own language. Give to the International Editions of The Upper Room to help expand the global reach of the daily devotional guide.
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
3 Comments | Join the Conversation.Mustard Seed
Today's Reflection
Where is my faith when I need it? I thought of the tiny globe on a gold chain in my jewel box, a mustard seed inside. A gift from Grandma Watrous. That’s what I need, I told myself, faith like Grandma’s. A mustard seed of stuff powerful enough to move this mountain.
—Jan Woodard, Texting Through Cancer: Ordinary Moments of Community, Love, and Healing (Upper Room Books, 2021)
Today's Question
What encouragement do you find in remembering the mustard seed? Join the conversation.
Today's Scripture
He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”
—Matthew 17:20 (NRSV)
Prayer for the Week
God of All,
In you I trust.
All will be well.
All will be well.
All will be well. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
Connect people to God in their own language. Give to the International Editions of The Upper Room to help expand the global reach of the daily devotional guide.
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
4 Comments | Join the Conversation.Celtic Prayers
Today's Reflection
Cancer helps me turn ordinary moments—laughing, weeping, eating, worshiping, writing, gardening, praying, discovering—into encircling acts of holy protection. And humbling moments too, such as leaning on my husband and others like I did on my walking stick in Iona. I have learned from both sides of the Atlantic that any place can be a thin place. I don’t have to cross an ocean or step into the past to find signs of God’s Spirit breaking through.
—Jan Woodard, Texting Through Cancer: Ordinary Moments of Community, Love, and Healing (Upper Room Books, 2021)
Today's Question
How have you been shaped by “signs of God’s Spirit breaking through”? Join the conversation.
Today's Scripture
The heavens are telling the glory of God;
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours forth speech,
and night to night declares knowledge.
—Psalm 19:1-2 (NRSV)
Prayer for the Week
God of All,
In you I trust.
All will be well.
All will be well.
All will be well. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
Connect people to God in their own language. Give to the International Editions of The Upper Room to help expand the global reach of the daily devotional guide.
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
1 Comments | Join the Conversation.Mysterious Ways
Today's Reflection
A breast cancer survivor told me her hair started falling out shortly after beginning chemotherapy. She had her head shaved after that and scattered the clippings in her yard. Later she found birds gathering bits to weave in their nests. With that image she passed along tender courage of how all things work together for good in God’s mysterious ways. I am reminded that beauty is found in every age and stage.
—Jan Woodard, Texting Through Cancer: Ordinary Moments of Community, Love, and Healing (Upper Room Books, 2021)
Today's Question
When have you noticed the mysterious ways God is working all things together for good? Join the conversation.
Today's Scripture
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
—Romans 8:28 (NRSV)
Prayer for the Week
God of All,
In you I trust.
All will be well.
All will be well.
All will be well. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
Connect people to God in their own language. Give to the International Editions of The Upper Room to help expand the global reach of the daily devotional guide.
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
4 Comments | Join the Conversation.