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 MEET GOD not just as we sit alone in quiet corners but in and through the people with whom we live, work, and interact as we go through our daily routine.

Relationships present us with both a remarkable privilege and an awesome responsibility. … As other people’s lives touch ours, they help to form our faith and make us who we are. As we touch others, we reflect God’s love to them.

Relationships with other believers have extraordinary power in our lives because Christ is present in them. Jesus knew how important people are in conveying God’s grace and presence. “Where two or three people are gathered in my name,” he said, “I am there among them” (Matthew 18:20).

Within our churches, small groups, families, and friendships, we learn from one another. We find encouragement. We challenge one another to follow God more faithfully. Other Christians enable us to walk as we should when we might otherwise have strayed or wandered. God uses relationships to form us, and relationships form us so that God can use us.


The Meeting God Bible

From “Ways of Meeting God,” page 1498 in The Meeting God Bible: Growing in Intimacy with God Through Scripture (NRSV). Entry Points and Articles Copyright © 1999, 2008 by Upper Room Books. All rights reserved. Used by permission. The Meeting God Bible was published in partnership with HarperCollins Publishers. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

How are relationships forming you? Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

Let your priests be clothed with righteousness, and let your faithful shout for joy.

Psalm 132:9, NRSV

This Week: Pray for those suffering from mental illness. 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: Ann Eliza Worchester Robertson (November 19).

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

Sponsored by Upper Room Ministries ®. Copyright © 2018 | PO Box 340004 | Nashville, TN 37203-0004 | USA

________

PREPARE FOR ADVENT: Explore how nativity sets, Advent wreaths, candles, carols, Christmas cards, and other traditions help prepare our hearts for the God “who bends low to enter our world and our lives.” The Living Nativity, a new book and eCourse by Larry Peacock, is available now.

4 Comments

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted November 21, 2018 3:10 am

    May we reflect God’s love and grace as we relate to one another.

    Blessings!

    Grateful for healthy relationshios reflecting God’s love and grace!

  • Jill Posted November 21, 2018 4:20 am

    I am finding out just how meaningful relationships can be, as I am passing through this season of my life. I received an email a few weeks back, that the leader from the young moms group was hosting a dinner last night – for all the volunteers. The leadership of that group has changed a bit and it had been a while since we all had been together. I didn’t give it much consideration, as I had a meeting after school yesterday and then my god daughter’s basketball scrimmage. The leader just moved into my neighborhood within the past year and I run past her house every morning. On the drive home last night I was wrestling with myself – to stop or just to go home and go to bed. I figured I would drive by and see how many cars were in her driveway, maybe I would drop in. Well – I decided to stop in – and was so warmly received. The leader was aware that my mom had been having health issues. There were 8 ladies there. By the time I got ready to leave about an hour later, we were all holding hands around the table and about half of them prayed for my mom, my family. God, indeed, places people in our lives who are so willing to go deeply with us. I never imagined the time I would spend with those ladies would turn out touching me so deeply. I was unable to fall asleep for the longest time last evening – knowing my heart was so full. And I so struggle knowing that mom puts up roadblocks – stopping this outpouring of love and care from the body of Christ. It just saddens me. There is no way I can impart this peace and this comfort to mom. Befuddling.
    Andrea – thank you for sharing about your time with your daughter and grandson and the time at Lake Michigan. I am so grateful you had this time with your family. I can imagine the fullness of your heart. Praying for Lowell’s recovery from his ankle sprain.
    Prayers for traveling mercies for this UR clan as you gather with family and loved ones. May your time be nourishing to your souls and may there be gratefulness coursing through your hearts – and may you put voice to it.

  • robert moeller Posted November 21, 2018 6:23 am

    Relationships stay the same and change over the course of a lifetime. Their effect on our lives does as well. Thankful for the relationships I have, have had, and will have. They come in all kinds. These days I try to look for Christ in every relationship.

    Thankful Mary that you have healthy relationships reflecting God’s love and grace!

    Jill, your experience with the young moms group both earlier and last night was and still is very meaningful. I’m glad you went. The last school where I taught had a program that allowed young moms to bring their children to school where they were cared for while the moms went to class. They, their moms, and often grandmoms were all participants. It’s a tough reality, some parts of society have issues with the situation while others are ready to help improve the lives of all concerned. Christ found these young moms and through Christ these young moms found you and your mom.Blessings all around.
    You, your dad, Becky, and I am sure others are doing all God asks in caring for your mom. Yes. I too pray your Mom opens up and lets God in, that would be most helpful. I am thankful that she is doing so well and that is a blessing too.

    Prayers for Andrea’s family and Lowell’s ankle.

    Prayers for Marcy, Rusty and K, Julie, and all with health concerns.

    Lord you have enabled us to do much to help those with physical medical problems and there is progress with mental help too. Lord, grant us wisdom to heal the mentally ill always reminded that we are only Your instruments and not the source of healing.

    Prayers for all traveling and for sound conversation as we give thanks for the blessings God has given us. Thank You, Lord

  • Andrea Posted November 21, 2018 9:59 am

    Thank you so much for your prayers. I feel truly grateful this Thanksgiving for UR friends and for your prayers. There is so much love here. It is a great blessing to be part of this close-knit circle of prayer warriors.

    I pray for my dear friend Sharon and for the renewal of our friendship.

    Prayers for Jill, for her strength and health, for her mother’s spirit to be uplifted to the Loving God and strengthened, and for her father’s and sister’s support and health. Prayers for Robert’s strength, health, and support, for Erich’s guidance at work, and for Anneliese’s pain relief and support. Prayers for Julie’s health, strength, and support, for an excellent divorce settlement, and for Megan’s guidance. Prayers for Marcy’s health, support, companionship, and medical care and for her caregiver Mary, with gratitude for her service to Marcy. Prayers for Connie’s health and strength, may her diagnostic tests come back clear and may she be strong and well. Prayers for Betsy and her family, for Grace, and for the newlyweds, with gratitude for the joy of their wedding. Prayers for Lou and her children, for their support and well-being. Prayers for April and Pam, Rusty (we miss you) and K, and all who have been part of this community.

    Prayers for the mentally ill. I believe God has a special compassion for those who suffer from mental illness. May we also be compassionate and giving.

    I look out the window toward the trees in our backyard. I love the late fall beauty – the grooved brown bark of the oak trees and their amber leaves; the peeling rose-ivory bark of the river birch; the lines of their trunks and twisted, bending branches; the frozen pond, visible only in winter when the trees are mostly bare; all swaying gently in the winter wind against a pale gray sky. It gives me a peace that fills me with a deep awareness of God’s goodness. I wish all a peaceful and blessed Thanksgiving.

Add Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *