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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

AS WE STAY focused on our priorities—loving God and loving others—we will cultivate our capacities and abilities to carry out God’s work in the world. As we spend time in prayer, seeking God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven, and deliberately cultivate compassion for others and the cour-age to take action and serve, we’ll discover both the strength and the joy to be exactly who we were created to be.

—Rebecca Dwight Bruff, Loving the World with God: Fourth Day Living (Upper Room Books, 2014)

Today’s Question

When has participating in God’s work in the world helped you discover who you were created to be?  Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

“Instead, desire first and foremost God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
—Matthew 6:33 (CEB)

Prayer for the Week

Grant us, Lord God, a vision of your world as your love would have it:
a world where the weak are protected, and none go hungry or poor;
a world where the riches of creation are shared, and everyone can enjoy them;
a world where different races and cultures live in harmony and mutual respect;
a world where peace is built with justice, and justice is guided by love.

Give us the inspiration and courage to build it, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room .

Something More

Looking for creative ways to share gratitude this Thanksgiving? Click here to discover ideas for showing gratitude this Thanksgiving.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

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4 Comments

  • Jill Posted December 1, 2019 5:49 am

    Submitting to His will and participating in what He calls me to – has opened my eyes to abilities I wouldn’t consider my gifts – yet He is using them in His economy. When I worked with the young moms – being around little kids – not my biggest go to. Yet – I made meaningful connections, especially with Ashley and her daughter. Not where I would have said I should be “planted” – but He used a willingness to be available.
    Looking forward to this Advent season, to readings available from various resources, to church services. Asking God to slow down my mind and to see me through this month.
    Many Sunday blessings this first day of Advent.

  • Julie Posted December 1, 2019 8:48 am

    When I was an intern with hospice, I found I was a caregiver. I look back and realize that this was also revealed with my daughter. Both times I enjoyed the role and wholeheartedly went above and beyond that which was expected.
    Prayers for Jill. I pray her flu shot side effects clear up quickly.
    Prayers for Mary as she embarks on her mission trip, may she impart not just her wisdom and knowledge of teaching to the other teachers, but also her joy and light.
    Prayers for Robert and his many activities with his church, may he have a wonderful Advent season.
    Megan and I are home safe, well Megan is with her father today. Pray for my safety and well being please. Kitties were very glad to have us home!
    Prayers and thank you UR

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted December 2, 2019 1:08 am

      Thanks Julie!

      May God keep you safe and bless you with a condusive environment to live every day!

  • robert moeller Posted December 2, 2019 2:51 pm

    A tough question to answer. Have been taught and have the disposition to want to help whenever possible. I would imagine that God surely has a hand in that. Tracking it down is the hard part. For me it was a very vital part of being a teacher. Now I do it in other ways.

    Prayers for Julie’s safety. Wish there could be a good and soon forthcoming to that problem.

    Little kids and high school students were easy compared to junior high students. Thankfully I taught mostly high school students.

    Missed this and am posting on Monday for a Sunday reflection.

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