Today’s Reflection
PAUL SPEAKS OF praying “without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
It is not as hard as it sounds, really. You merely learn to be aware of God’s presence with you all the time, whatever you are doing.
A friend who commutes to work says that he sits and communes with God every time he stops at a traffic light. You can do it every time you open the refrigerator. Or when you brush your teeth.
The point is simply to turn your thoughts toward God at many specific times each day.
One way to do this is to practice remembering God when you are performing one specific action all week. When you are making the bed, for instance. Or setting the table. Or checking your mail. Or walking to school. Then, for the next week, pick another action.
– John Killinger
Beginning Prayer
From page 16 of Beginning Prayer by John Killinger. Copyright © 2012 by John Killinger. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question
Name times during your day when you could remember God. Share your thoughts.
Today’s Scripture
Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”
John 18:37, NRSV
This Week: Pray for those who are lonely. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.
Did You Know?
In need of prayer? The Upper Room Living Prayer Center is an intercessory prayer ministry staffed by Christian volunteers. Submit a prayer request, and our Covenant Prayer Groups will pray for you. Visit The Living Prayer Center website.
This week we remember: John Knox (November 24).
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
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11 Comments
It’s just after midnight and I am praying for peace this night- we have heavy snow and it is very windy and it sounds as if something heavy just fell on my roof- in addition today I discovered that my sewer has backed up into my laundry tub in the basement and I have a plumber coming in the morning. I admit that I am scared – there are so many unfamiliar sounds in this new house – and I have very large trees that I did not have at my old house. I’ve had a string of difficulties and I am doing my best to make it And take good care of my family- but I am fearful tonight – I pray for others who are also alone and struggling to manage.
I pray particularly for M. – a good friend of a friend who lost her husband suddenly on thanksgiving day. I know she has good family support but I know how lonely the loss of a spouse can be –
I am trying to give my fears to the Lord – I pray for those who have no shelter from this storm. God please be with all who are frightened, alone, cold or hungry this night. We know you are with us.
I am thankful for time spent with my children this thanksgiving weekend and that my daughter arrived safely back in Boston today after getting some much needed rest with us. Thankful for the rest and relaxation and laughter that we shared. Thankful for the many blessings- thank you Lord.
So glad to hear that you and your family had a good Thanksgiving, Lou!
May God grant you courage and strength!
I pray as I walk throughout the day.
Thank you God for your presence and the joy of praying without ceasing.
Blessings!
I try to be mindful to turn my thoughts heavenward as I walk to my classroom after my morning break. I teach a class before school and then have a two hour break before I teach 4 straight classes. That time in between – I often will pray, sometimes come to this site, even spend some time on one of my Bible studies. It seems that once I hit that 4 class stretch – time blurs together and it is 1:45 before I know it. Depending on the intensity of the day – sometimes I will ride home in silence, quieting myself.
Lou – I pray there has been no damage to your house. Things that go bump in the night certainly are unsettling for me as well. I usually gauge the danger on Roger’s attentiveness.
Sleep seemed interrupted for me last night – not sure why. But I do feel rested from the long weekend and am grateful. Maybe that is it – I was just fully rested and didn’t sleep deeply. Hopeful all had good times with loved ones this weekend and are ready to prepare our hearts for the Advent season.
Come quickly, Lord Jesus.
On walks, at meals, at set times which then change from week to week, For a while I was doing pretty well with this. It takes effort to make it a habit. Yes, the Lord needs to be remembered always. We owe everything to God.
Praying while taking walks, early morning before I get up, sitting in traffic. These are times I turn to God in prayer. Always when I log into this site and read all the thoughts and prayers that are posted. This past week has been especially prayerful as I’ve lifts up family members. I am so blessed to have many siblings, even though we live so far apart, but we are as close as our phones and our prayers!
I’ve been away from this site over the holiday weekend, so I’m not current on everyone’s latest news. I did read yesterday where Rusty joined us for a post! Hope you are doing well, Rusty, as well as all our UR family. Praying for those who feel lonely and not connected.
Very well said Dorothy, thank you for your post. I know someone whose life is like this, and Guerry describes his wife’s similar experience. It is amazing what God can do in such circumstances. I think God is sustaining Gloria and I am very thankful for that.
Jill’s teaching schedule with four straight classes after a two hour break sounds somewhat familiar. Thankful God helps her through the day.
Having grown up in snow country I am aware that I have to deal with what comes. Sometimes it is very welcome and at other times it is bothersome.
Thank You, Lord, for enabling me to deal with snow.
I do want Lou and Connie to be safe in snow storms. Prayers for Lou’s house,
thankful her daughter is safely back in Boston and that the whole family was together at Thanksgiving.
Prayers for Marcy and Julie. Hoping for progress with the variety of issues each of you face. God is with you and your faith is strong. Many blessings.
Prayers for Connie’s neighbor whose house is for sale, and for Anneliese’s condo that the title search will soon be done and the sale can conclude.
Prayers for Andrea’s aunt and her family, somehow people passing near or on holidays makes the event tougher to handle. My Dad passed away on Valentine’s Day. My wife a week before Thanksgiving.
Pray dear UR friends, it makes a lot of difference and God wants our prayers.
We ask what we can do, we can pray.
LOTS of snow here and it IS overwhelming. I hope the morning light finds Lou with no damage and that the plumbing gets fixed. It is so scary to have things go wrong, especially alone. Saying a prayer for you as I type (and your friend who lost her husband-how tragic.)
After a nice Thanksgiving, we didn’t get many days of “afterglow”, but that’s life. Thank you, God, for the pleasant times you give us.
Thankful for:
The good times.
I pray at certain times throughout the day. But adding more times would be helpful in my pray life.
Prayers for Lou. I will add you to my evening prayers asking for a good night’s sleep. I already pray for Marcy who also suffers with insomnia. Prayers for your safety and that your home survived the storm untouched. Prayers for the plumber, may he arrive at your home safely and quickly resolve the issue. Prayers of thanks for safe travel for your daughter.
Prayers for Mary and her ever chipper posts.
Prayers for Jill and her family. Prayers of gratitude for another family holiday with more warm memories created.
Prayers for Robert, Erich and Anneliese. Prayers for those of us who grew up with snow, may we continue to be cognizant of the dangers and remain cautious. Prayers for all of those who lost loved ones on or near holidays. May they find joy in the holidays knowing their loved ones are in heaven.
Prayers for Betsy and her extended family. May they continue to remain close.
Prayers for Connie. May her health improve and may the snow cease and give way to bright sunshine.
I spent the holiday with my family. Megan and I came home amid an ice storm, but it was short lived. Hit much traffic from three accidents, some quite severe. This ensured our safety due to crawling traffic. I see the majority of my family only at Thanksgiving and Christmas and those times are cherished. My fingers have gotten very bad. Pus weepiing wounds on three fingers on my left hand.
Prayers for Marcy and her companion Mary, may they have had good Thanksgiving celebrations.
Prayers dear UR family
Thank you for your prayers. My aunt’s four children made it possible for my aunt to be in her home until she died. She died suddenly, peacefully, as she was making her bed. Prayers of gratitude for her long life and her caring heart. I pray too for my other aunt, Norma, who has early Alzheimer’s disease.
Prayers for Lou, may the plumbing be fixed and the new house feel more and more like home. Prayers for Julie’s friend, suddenly widowed.
Prayers for Connie this Monday right after Thanksgiving. Prayers for Anneliese and the sale of her condo.
Prayers for Marcy and Julie and for all dear UR friends.
Prayers for companionship for those who are lonely this holiday season.
Reading the reflection and finding it a familiar one from recent years, I realize how much UR has come to be a regular fixture in my life and how much I value cherished UR friends.
May all know God’s loving presence today.
please pray for my daughter Kathleen Mary…very ill, has been with an incurable illness a long time,,,I am 87 would like to care for her…difficult, she is having artery surgery in a short time…thank you and God Bless…this young woman has strong Faith.
I set my alarm at work so that at each hour I remember to turn my thoughts to God and dedicate the next hour of work to a special purpose. For example, at 10 AM, I might pray for the souls in purgatory. At 11 AM I might dedicate the next hour of work that I’m going to do for someone who’s going to die alone today. This way I feel that each hour of my workday is purposeful and fully dedicated to prayer. I have also found that my working hours have beccome more prayerful & efficient.
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