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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

THIS MEDITATION INVITES you to use your feet as a metronome, creating a rhythmic beat to your walking while the mind recites a sacred phrase. As the body participates in the prayer, the repetition provides a sort of psychic tattoo in the spirit.

As your feet come in contact with the earth, gratefully affirm the divine foundation of your existence. As you place one foot in front of the other with intentional focus on the contact of your soles with the ground, you embody — or symbolize — your soul’s encounter with the Ground of Being. Express gratitude to the Creator God for the interaction of nerve and muscle that makes walking possible. …

For the musically inclined, familiar songs or hymns can provide inspiration with a rhythmic beat. Here are some suggestions; consult your own memory bank for songs that are meaningful to you:

  • “For the Beauty of the Earth”
  • “Amazing Grace”
  • “How Firm a Foundation”
  • “Jesus Loves Me”

– Linda Douty
Praying in the Messiness of Life

From pages 29-30 of Praying in the Messiness of Life: 7 Ways to Renew Your Relationship with God by Linda Douty. Copyright © 2011 by Linda Douty. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

Give today’s meditation practice a try. Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

The LORD makes poor and makes rich; he brings low, he also exalts.

1 Samuel 2:7 , NRSV

This Week: pray for estrange family members. 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 a 7-day-a-week intercessory prayer ministry staffed by trained volunteers. Call 1-800-251-2468 or visit The Living Prayer Center website.

This week we remember: Gertrude the Great of Helfta (November 16).

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

12 Comments

  • Jill Posted November 14, 2018 3:41 am

    Such rich comments from yesterday’s responses. Yes, God is with us – strengthening us in ways He deems best. Might our trust be fortified – as He holds us in the palm of His mighty hand. I agree wholeheartedly with Darr – afflictions and trials can be seen as God’s blessings…perhaps not in the midst, but once we have passed through the worst of it, with His grace – we can surrender and ultimately be grateful. He is removing the dross and transforming what remains. And, Timothy, thank you for your words – for the joy of simple things, despite struggles. And for reminding us of the members of Christ’s body whom He provides as support to us.
    Grateful for the familiar words brought to mind by April – O Lamb of God, I come. Grateful for the joy of working with my students. My last class of the day is quick with a light-hearted laugh. I seem to be enjoying my first year students sooner than usual…doesn’t seem to be taking as long for their personalities to come out. I had my formal observation/evaluation yesterday. I will have my post-observation conference tomorrow – getting feedback from the assistant principal. I am grateful it is over as a lot of prep went into it. I will have another one in the spring. Of course, my students were wonderful. I am so grateful to not have any concerns regarding how they will behave – on any day, including an evaluation day.

  • robert moeller Posted November 14, 2018 6:15 am

    Jill-A successful observation/evaluation, two a year, thankful it went well. Lots of variables in a classroom.

    So many posts yesterday, thank you! Yes Michael surrendering to God brings
    all one needs. Prayers for you Timothy, you are in God’s hands and thus are safe. Connie hoping for good news on the tests. Congratulations Mary on your cooking class progress. Prayers for Julie and her concern for Megan. Yes, Mary G, all our government needs prayer that God’s wisdom will be with them and thus government will be good. Darr, I agrees with you and Jill, tough times, problems often help us be rid of old bad habits.

    Very hopefully I will put today’s reflection to use on my walk. A new place to walk, have explored part of it and enjoyed it very much, Thankfully there is more to discover.

    So far so good for Erich, today is day two of training, hope it goes well.

    Nippy weather here, had snow yesterday, low temps in the teens the next few days.

    Have some rivets for the smoke box door on the way, The dome shape is coming along.

    Prayers for Marcy that her health is improving and needs are being met.
    Anneliese had more treatment yesterday and sees her PM doctor on the 20th.
    God’s peace for Gloria and Larry and all affected by Gloria’s illness.

    Thank You, Lord for being always with us.

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted November 14, 2018 7:12 am

    Glad to hear that Erich has proceeded to day 2 training. May all be well with him.

    Thanks for all your prayers.

    Grateful for more time spent with parents now.

    Grateful for more time to walk and pray.

    Blessings to all and may all enjoy your syncopated steps!

    • Connie Posted November 14, 2018 7:39 am

      “Syncopated Steps”…..I love that.

  • Connie Posted November 14, 2018 7:37 am

    My “feet” have chosen “Jesus Loves Me”. I also like “Onward Christian Soldiers”.
    Thankful for:
    The bird bath now has water that isn’t frozen.
    The last flowers have bowed their heads and said good-bye.
    Your thoughts and prayers. Such faithful friends you are.

  • Julie Posted November 14, 2018 8:19 am

    I cannot walk outside due to the cold temperatures and their adverse effect on my fingers due to the Reynaud’s. I am already experiencing some symptoms. I am thankful for your prayers. I intend to talk with Megan’s father regarding my observations of her reluctance to seek employment.
    Prayers for Jill and prayers of thankfulness for wonderful students and a good evaluation.
    Prayers for Robert as he continues to explore a new course for his walk. Prayers of gratitude for his continued great health. Prayers for Erich and may he have job success. Prayers for Anneliesse and may her pain respond to the new treatment.
    Prayers for Mary and her parents as they continue to enjoy time together.
    Prayers for Connie as she awaits further medical results information. May the results be postive. Prayers for her health and prayers that I learn from her wonderful example of Chrisitan gratitude and acceptance.
    Prayers for Betsy and her family, Lou and her family, Andrea and her family, April and her family and Timothy. Prayers for pain relief for Timothy. Prayers for Marcy, for pain relief and help and safety.
    Prayers for one and all of the UR family and so thankful that the family is growing

    • Connie Posted November 15, 2018 8:31 am

      Praying for YOU and YOURS.

  • April Posted November 14, 2018 11:22 am

    I used to help with Sunday School music and one of the songs that we did was “Deep and Wide” with one arm going up and the other down then outstretched/together. We also did “If you’re happy and you know it clap you hands, stomp your feet, turn around, sit down…adding one to each verse”…I will think of them as I walk today. Blessing to all as we give this thought a try!!

  • Andrea Posted November 14, 2018 1:43 pm

    Walking, especially in nature, is an activity in which I feel close to God, peaceful and in awe of God’s creation. I will try the meditative walking described in this reflection.

    The reflections these past few days have been timely for me. May I be grounded, may I be respectful of myself and others, may I come from a center of lovingkindness, may I be quick to make amends when I overstep.

    Prayers for Jill, her parents, and her students – Jill, it sounds like you have a real talent for establishing a rapport with the students in your classrooms. Prayers for Robert and Erich as they move forward with their transitions, and for Anneliese. Prayers for Mary, her new job and free time pursuits, and her parents. Prayers for Connie, especially on Mondays and during the holidays, when grieving is more acute. Prayers for Julie and Megan, may things fall into place for them in the changes in their lives, and may Julie’s hands and feet receive tender care. Prayers for Marcy, who we miss and is ever in our awareness every day, may she gain strength and receive the assistance and medical care she needs, and may she have supportive companionship. Prayers for Betsy, for Grace and the newlyweds, for their family. Prayers for Lou and her family, for April and Pam and others who stop by now and then, and prayers for the new people who have posted in recent days, hoping you will be present here at this holy online spot on a frequent basis. Blessings, all.

  • Marcy Posted November 14, 2018 7:14 pm

    Prayers for all my UR friends and family, with a good dose of Love to each! Welcome Michael P. Butler, Timothy Wells (I think I had you in my misplaced prayer list/book), and Mary Graczyk!

    Having an exhausting, but hopeful week. My caregiver, Mary, comes Mon, Wed, and Fri for 4 – 5 hours! The apartment has had a good cleaning (badly needed) and I’ve been assisted fully myself. Oh Father, thank You for the blessing of Mary, my caregiver! She’s from South Sudan and has been here in America since 2000. She only went back home once, but she barely escaped with her life. Her siblings were killed. She went to Catholic school and church in Sudan, and remains a devout Catholic today. She is very sweet, patient and caring. I am asking for prayers for her, even though she is quite joyful, which is rubbing off quite nicely!

    Tuesday I went to the cardiologist and I need further testing, including being monitored. I pray my insurance will cover this. I await the results of my CT scan. Tomorrow is the first of my trauma therapy sessions and I am praying for God’s guidance and strength to continue to lead me on, keeping me ever Faithful, Hopeful and full of His Love!

    I still haven’t caught up on my reading up on everyone, but will begin after tomorrow. I always keep all of you, my dear siblings, in prayer; Jill and her family, Robert and his family, Julie and Megan, Lou and her children, Betsy and her family (upcoming wedding), Connie and her loved ones, Andrea and her family, Mary and her family, April, Pam, Gail, Carol and Robin, and all the UR family, including new members! I really need to find my prayer list/notebook! I had it on my teetering pile of Bibles, Study books and guides, dictionaries, etc., so it’s here, I know. I have difficulties with my vision.

    God bless each and every one of you!
    And these three remain: Faith, Hope and Love, and the greatest of these is LOVE!

    • Connie Posted November 15, 2018 8:33 am

      Yes, FHL and MARCY!

  • robert moeller Posted November 15, 2018 5:54 am

    Have done this rather haphazardly, now and then. It is a very good thing to do. Most definitely God is there, God’s blessings are found.

    On drives and a walk yesterday God’s work was most visible in nature. Snowy mountains and snowing, it was, wonderful to drive and walk. New trails explored, fellow walkers met.

    I do pray for those who are affected adversely by the cold, on blood thinners my fingers get colder more easily than they used to. I’m thankful for mittens and pockets.

    Glad to read Marcy’s post and learn of the help she has from Mary as well as the upcoming doctor’s appointments.

    Good progress for Erich yesterday at his training, he did very well. Another training day today.

    More later, it’s time to get up and have breakfast.

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