Today’s Reflection
The spiritual practice of the regular reading and study of scripture is . . . a team sport. While carving out personal time to read, pray, and wrestle with ideas is important to us individually, our practices bind us together in faith. They expose each of us to religious language, like covenant, exile, transgression, oppression, supplication, redemption, and forgiveness. The regular spiritual practice of study and prayer forms us in a story that we are a people, ancient and set apart. Moses, Abraham, Sarah, Hannah, Deborah, Ruth, Mary, Amos, Micah are our people, a part of our spiritual identity, our religious heritage.
—Amy E. Steele, foreword to The Upper Room Disciplines 2024: A Book of Daily Devotions (Upper Room Books, 2023)
Today’s Question
What spiritual practices bring you closer to God? Join the conversation.
Today’s Scripture
Train yourself for a holy life! While physical training has some value, training in holy living is useful for everything. It has promise for this life now and the life to come.
—1 Timothy 4:7-8 (CEB)
Prayer for the Week
Creator God, enable us to move through the chaos into the new creation you alone have promised. Amen. —Prayer by Joy J. Moore
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
Are you looking for a way to deepen your relationship with God this year? The Upper Room Disciplines offers a daily practice of reading and reflecting on God’s Word to awaken and strengthen your spiritual life. Order your copy of Disciplines 2024 today!
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
New Year’s Day
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
6 Comments
Coming to New Every Morning to start my day, going to church., reading and studying the Bible. praying, and helping others help my faith. Thank You , Lord..
A blessed, happy, healthy, and safe New Year to all.
Amen, Robert. Ditto that. 😀
Happy New Year, all!
Time sitting in His Word. Reflecting on His faithfulness. Talking through things with trusted friends and my spiritual director. Attempting to be more grateful.
My heart is so heavy for my friend. What a challenging season it has been for her and her children. A seismic argument erupted yesterday between her and her daughter – much was aired, not necessarily in an ideal way – and finished with so many tears. I am so brokenhearted for her. We met last evening at an ice cream shop and cried over peanut butter oreo sundaes.
Father God – I entrust to You this year ahead, for my friend and her children, for the cares and concerns of the faithful here. Come quickly, Lord Jesus.
Right now, prying scriptures and the Collects of the day, some journaling, checking with NEM., singing hymns. Today’s UR devotional really lifted me up. Some days trying to hold on to hope is hard. So Icwill try to speak light into the darkness.
We are having a quiet day. I made cinnamon rolls, as I often do on holidays. Getting ready to put my black-eyed peas on to soak. Cooking a pork roast, turnip greens, sweet potatoes, and cornbread too. Yes, we are southern in this house😊. Going to try to watch the Rose Bowl and cheer on Bama.
Please pray for my dear Aint Sarah. She has some kind of respiratory thing going and has been pretty sick. She’s in her 80s and she’s very dear. Prayers also apprecfor my sister and BIL, as they have Covid.
I wish all a blessed 2024. Love you all.
Jill I am praying for your sweet friend.
Thank you, Jill for how you care for your friend. I believe that when you are there for people they appreciate you and your support remains in their thoughts far more than you can know.
Lord please ease the burdens for both Jill and her friend. We turn to you Jesus in our pain and pray for joys to rejoice with you in as well. Help us to lean on you this coming year, and yes, please come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.
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