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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

THE ATTENTIVENESS that allows us to be present to nature and to each other awakens in us a sense of wonder. Here small children have much to teach us. Children are blessed with a natural sense of wonder and often become absorbed for long periods in the presence of natural things. A spirituality of simplicity will affirm children in their attention to creation. But it will also recognize the child in each of us who wants to observe, play, and live fully in the marvelous world of God’s making.

—Elizabeth J. Canham, The Wondrous Mystery: An Advent Reader (Upper Room Books, 2019)

Today's Question

What are some ways that you can be more present and attuned to God?  

Today's Scripture

“Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
—Matthew 18:3 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room .

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Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

Sponsored by The Upper Room. Copyright © 2019 | PO Box 340004 | Nashville, TN 37203-0004 | USA

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Today's Reflection

TO DEVELOP A MORE present-minded way of living, you might experiment regularly with an exercise that I first came across in the writings of Metropolitan Antony. The basic steps go as follows:

Set aside some time, perhaps five minutes, to do nothing. Simply sit down in your room and say, “I am seated; I am doing nothing. I will do nothing for the next five minutes.”

Having declared your intention for this little space of time, decide firmly that nothing will pull you away during these five minutes. If you find yourself emigrating mentally into the past or the future, bring yourself back to the here and now with the thought, I am here in the presence of God, in my own presence, and in the presence of all the furniture that is around me, just still, moving nowhere.

I have discovered that doing this exercise regularly builds up the capacity to live more deeply in the present within our everyday lives.

—Trevor Hudson, A Mile in My Shoes: Cultivating Compassion (Upper Room Books, 2005)

Today's Question

Try the spiritual discipline referenced above.  

Today's Scripture

“O LORD, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not listen? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save?”
—Habakkuk 1:2 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Give me the eyes to see when others hurt, the ears to hear when others cry, and the courage to bring light into their darkness.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room or share it in the comment section.

Something More

Join The Upper Room Facebook community. Click here.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

Sponsored by The Upper Room. Copyright © 2019 | PO Box 340004 | Nashville, TN 37203-0004 | USA

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Today's Reflection

LET ME DESCRIBE what it means to be truly present. Being present involves letting go of our constant preoccupations, immersing ourselves in the here and now, and giving ourselves wholeheartedly to whatever is at hand.... It’s about becoming more aware, alert, awake to the fullness of the immediate moment. If we are with another person, it means engaging with him or her with all of our heart, our mind, our soul, and our strength. Such wholehearted attention requires patience, time, and disciplined effort. And it is one of the greatest gifts that we can give to those around us.

—Trevor Hudson, A Mile in My Shoes: Cultivating Compassion (Upper Room Books, 2005)

Today's Question

Who needs you to be fully present for them?

Today's Scripture

"The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king forever. May the LORD give strength to his people! May the LORD bless his people with peace!"
—Psalm 29:10-11 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Give me the eyes to see when others hurt, the ears to hear when others cry, and the courage to bring light into their darkness.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room or share it in the comment section.

Something More

Join The Upper Room Facebook community. Click here.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

Sponsored by The Upper Room. Copyright © 2019 | PO Box 340004 | Nashville, TN 37203-0004 | USA

8 Comments | Join the Conversation.