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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

God is still showing us signs of life, if we want to look for them.

Perhaps you can reflect on those times and situations where you felt hopeless or estranged, only to discover that God was with you all along. Or perhaps you have experienced these new signs of life as you have witnessed the hopeful progress of others or been allowed to be a source of blessing to another person.

Regardless, the season preceding Christmas offers us these and many other opportunities for service, reflection, and helpfulness. And in so doing, we may discover that our eyes or ears are opened too—and perhaps we will see Jesus more clearly than we have ever seen him before.

Todd Outcalt, Let Us Go Now to Bethlehem: Daily Devotions for Advent and Christmas (Upper Room Books, 2020)

Today’s Question

When have you witnessed signs of God’s work in your life? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Jesus responded, “Go, report to John what you hear and see. Those who were blind are able to see. Those who were crippled are walking. People with skin diseases are cleansed. Those who were deaf now hear. Those who were dead are raised up. The poor have good news proclaimed to them.”
—Matthew 11:4-5 (CEB)

Prayer for the Week

God, the One who has brought all things into existence, I welcome the lessons and love—expected and unexpected—you will bring today.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

The new year is just around the corner. Walk in spiritual wisdom in 2022 with The Upper Room Disciplines, a trusted companion for daily prayer and study for nearly 65 years. Learn more.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

3 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted December 12, 2021 6:53 am

    The very quick donations to repair the heating system of the church, the worship team, Bible study, and fellowship time continuing even though we have no pastor are examples ZOOM worship today. Thank You , Lord.

  • Lou Posted December 12, 2021 7:23 am

    God surely sent a miracle to me when he saved the life of my middle daughter who was born at 27 weeks and weighed 2lbs 4 ounces. Her 26th birthday is the week after Christmas and I am forever grateful for the miracle God sent. (I consider all my children – and all children to be miracles…) but God intervened and my premie had no long last issues and has had excelled in every area of her life – she is also the kindest, sweetest, and most hard working person I know. God was good and helped her in her early days of life and continues to watch over her now. Currently she has gone back to school and travels 2 hours each way three days a week to attend her classes and continue working. Prayers to keep her safe and give her strength. I praise God for her life. I praise God for my other two children as well – keep them safe Lord.
    Prayers for all of those who lost loved ones and homes, businesses, schools and places of worship in the latest tornadoes. God bless all who come here today.

  • Jill Posted December 12, 2021 5:14 pm

    The most immediate example which comes to mind is the work He has done in me in regards to my attitude towards my sister and her husband. There is so much evidence over the past 15+ years and I am grateful.
    It was so good to be back in church today. It had been since before my Florida trip. I so enjoy the sparsely attended service – room to be still and undistracted. Good to catch up with friends afterwards.
    Got a lot of schoolwork done yesterday, including finishing touches on three exams. I have an open google meet (zoom) this evening for one of my classes – for exam prep.
    Picked up Thai and headed to my friend’s this afternoon to watch the football game. Hung out on the couch with her dogs – they like to sprawl out and I like that they keep me warm. Nice to relax today with the intensity of yesterday.
    Roger’s numbers were high – one was in the 300s, one in the 400s and the rest in the 500s. I will call in the numbers tomorrow morning.
    Poor little Jeremy, sorry for his respiratory issues. I feel like I am on high alert, and I imagine you are too, Ally. Hang in there.

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