X

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 have to train ourselves to become the type of earthly vessels that can endure the challenging joy of waiting on God, whether we are waiting for the Christ child or for an answer to prayer. We need ways of training ourselves in strength, patience, courage, and endurance. Spiritual disciplines like prayer, solitude, fasting, and scripture reading can be useful resources for training in daily discipleship. They open us up, hone our hearing and our spiritual vision, and make us sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

—Enuma Okoro, Silence and Other Surprising Invitations of Advent (Upper Room Books, 2012)

Today's Question

What spiritual disciplines cultivate your attentiveness to the leading of Holy Spirit?
Join the conversation.

Today's Scripture

You, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
—Jude 1:20-21 (NIV)

Prayer for the Week

As we wait, Transforming God, prepare our hearts to receive you. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

The Two-Year Academy for Spiritual Formation invites you to embark on a transformative journey of faith. Over the course of two years, you’ll gather each quarter for five-day sessions of retreat-style learning, worship, and reflection. Guided by world-class faculty and nurtured within a community of seekers, you’ll explore practices that nourish your spirit and that help you live a more God-focused life. Learn more here.

Lectionary Readings

  • Micah 5:2-5a
  • Luke 1:46b-55 or Psalm 80:1-7
  • Hebrews 10:5-10
  • Luke 1:39-45, (46-55)

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

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

1 Comments | Join the Conversation.

 

Today's Reflection

Even amidst the challenges of our world — both at the time of Jesus’ birth and now — we have good news and great joy to share. Casting aside the darkness of our worries and fears, we stand in joyful wonder before the manger and turn our eyes toward the face of God.

—Sharon Seyfarth Garner, Mandalas, Candles, and Prayer: A Simply Centered Advent (Upper Room Books, 2017)

Today's Question

In what areas of your life do you find it most difficult to set aside your worries and fears? How might you to embrace joy and wonder more fully this Christmas? Join the conversation.

Today's Scripture

For a child has been born for us, a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
—Isaiah 9:6 (NRSVUE)

Prayer for the Week

God, light my path as I journey toward Bethlehem. Help me set aside my fears and assumptions and learn to love as you have called me to love. Give me eyes to see your God-spark in me and in all those I meet. Amen. [prayer adapted from Mandalas, Candles, and Prayer by Sharon Seyfarth Garner]
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

Each year The Upper Room Disciplines brings together 52 diverse voices to share messages of hope, challenge, and joy. Disciplines writers are clergy and laypeople from a variety of Christian denominations who invite readers to engage daily with scripture for spiritual practice. Watch a message from the contributors to Disciplines 2025 here.

Lectionary Readings

  • Zephaniah 3:14-20
  • Isaiah 12:2-6
  • Philippians 4:4-7
  • Luke 3:7-18

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

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

2 Comments | Join the Conversation.

 

Today's Reflection

Some days, hope can feel as solid as the earth beneath our feet; at other times, it can feel as elusive as a fading mist. But the more we search intentionally for that hope — through practicing the Examen, contemplative coloring, or any other spiritual practice — the easier it becomes to find.

—Sharon Seyfarth Garner, Mandalas, Candles, and Prayer: A Simply Centered Advent (Upper Room Books, 2017)

Today's Question

What spiritual practices enable you to search intentionally for hope? Join the conversation.

Today's Scripture

We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul.
—Hebrews 6:19 (NRSVUE)

Prayer for the Week

God, light my path as I journey toward Bethlehem. Help me set aside my fears and assumptions and learn to love as you have called me to love. Give me eyes to see your God-spark in me and in all those I meet. Amen. [prayer adapted from Mandalas, Candles, and Prayer by Sharon Seyfarth Garner]
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

Each year The Upper Room Disciplines brings together 52 diverse voices to share messages of hope, challenge, and joy. Disciplines writers are clergy and laypeople from a variety of Christian denominations who invite readers to engage daily with scripture for spiritual practice. Watch a message from the contributors to Disciplines 2025 here.

Lectionary Readings

  • Zephaniah 3:14-20
  • Isaiah 12:2-6
  • Philippians 4:4-7
  • Luke 3:7-18

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

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

1 Comments | Join the Conversation.

 

Today's Reflection

Yet our call to love one another is unconditional. Intercessory prayer helps us live out this call by providing a tangible way to step out of our comfort zones and love all God’s children — including those who are most difficult to love.

—Sharon Seyfarth Garner, Mandalas, Candles, and Prayer: A Simply Centered Advent (Upper Room Books, 2017)

Today's Question

How might praying for someone, especially someone difficult to love, help you grow in compassion?
Join the conversation.

Today's Scripture

Let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
—1 John 4:7 (NRSVUE)

Prayer for the Week

God, light my path as I journey toward Bethlehem. Help me set aside my fears and assumptions and learn to love as you have called me to love. Give me eyes to see your God-spark in me and in all those I meet. Amen. [prayer adapted from Mandalas, Candles, and Prayer by Sharon Seyfarth Garner]
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

Each year The Upper Room Disciplines brings together 52 diverse voices to share messages of hope, challenge, and joy. Disciplines writers are clergy and laypeople from a variety of Christian denominations who invite readers to engage daily with scripture for spiritual practice. Watch a message from the contributors to Disciplines 2025 here.

Lectionary Readings

  • Zephaniah 3:14-20
  • Isaiah 12:2-6
  • Philippians 4:4-7
  • Luke 3:7-18

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

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

2 Comments | Join the Conversation.

 

Today's Reflection

When we encounter only the back of the tapestry, we see a holy mess! But amidst what may seem like chaos to us, God is weaving a spectacular masterpiece of love.

—Sharon Seyfarth Garner, Mandalas, Candles, and Prayer: A Simply Centered Advent (Upper Room Books, 2017)

Today's Question

What might a "tapestry of love" look like? Join the conversation.

Today's Scripture

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it. . . . The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
—John 1:5, 9 (NRSVUE)

Prayer for the Week

God, light my path as I journey toward Bethlehem. Help me set aside my fears and assumptions and learn to love as you have called me to love. Give me eyes to see your God-spark in me and in all those I meet. Amen. [prayer adapted from Mandalas, Candles, and Prayer by Sharon Seyfarth Garner]
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

Each year The Upper Room Disciplines brings together 52 diverse voices to share messages of hope, challenge, and joy. Disciplines writers are clergy and laypeople from a variety of Christian denominations who invite readers to engage daily with scripture for spiritual practice. Watch a message from the contributors to Disciplines 2025 here.

Lectionary Readings

  • Zephaniah 3:14-20
  • Isaiah 12:2-6
  • Philippians 4:4-7
  • Luke 3:7-18

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

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

2 Comments | Join the Conversation.

 

Today's Reflection

Centering Prayer helps us release these distractions and reclaim God’s peace. It helps us turn away from cultural pressure to do more and recenter ourselves in the assurance that we are already enough in God’s eyes.

—Sharon Seyfarth Garner, Mandalas, Candles, and Prayer: A Simply Centered Advent (Upper Room Books, 2017)

Today's Question

What are some distractions for you? How might you let go of these distractions and relax into God’s loving, peaceful presence this Advent season? Join the conversation.

Today's Scripture

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
—Philippians 4:7 (NRSVUE)

Prayer for the Week

God, light my path as I journey toward Bethlehem. Help me set aside my fears and assumptions and learn to love as you have called me to love. Give me eyes to see your God-spark in me and in all those I meet. Amen. [prayer adapted from Mandalas, Candles, and Prayer by Sharon Seyfarth Garner]
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

Each year The Upper Room Disciplines brings together 52 diverse voices to share messages of hope, challenge, and joy. Disciplines writers are clergy and laypeople from a variety of Christian denominations who invite readers to engage daily with scripture for spiritual practice. Watch a message from the contributors to Disciplines 2025 here.

Lectionary Readings

  • Zephaniah 3:14-20
  • Isaiah 12:2-6
  • Philippians 4:4-7
  • Luke 3:7-18

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

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

1 Comments | Join the Conversation.