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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

BECAUSE WE are human, we experience happiness and sorrow, joy and suffering, times of welcoming new life and mourning life’s passing. God’s child, Jesus, experienced human life just as we do. And we have, as he did, the gift of God’s presence with us in everything we face. Whatever we encounter, God is with us.

—Beth A. Richardson, The Uncluttered Heart: Making Room for God During Advent and Christmas  (Upper Room Books, 2009)

Today's Question

When have you been aware of the gift of God’s presence?  

Today's Scripture

“It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
—Deuteronomy 31:8 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Clear away the clutter, O God, that I might have more room for you.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

Slow down, simplify, and add a burst of color to your Advent. The spiritual practice of coloring mandalas (circular designs), lighting candles, and praying regularly can help us stay centered on God during this busy time of year. Give it a try. Color as you pray this Advent season.

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

18 Comments | Join the Conversation.

Today's Reflection

DURING THE busyness and chatter of this season of the year, I can carve out space and time to sit in silence, quiet my inner noise, and turn toward God. … Whenever I feel overwhelmed and speeded up, I turn my attention inward, close my ears to outward noise, take some deep breaths, and sink down into the welcoming silence of the heart of God.

I invite you to be silent with God today. Take five, ten, or fifteen minutes to be still in God’s presence. Don’t worry if you are not successful during the first try. This discipline grows with practice. Keep carving out some space during each day. Have hope; God is there, waiting for you.

—Beth A. Richardson, The Uncluttered Heart: Making Room for God During Advent and Christmas (Upper Room Books, 2009)

Today's Question

How can you make space to encounter God in silence?  

Today's Scripture

“For God alone my soul waits in silence,
for my hope is from him.”

—Psalm 62:5 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Clear away the clutter, O God, that I might have more room for you.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room .

Something More

Slow down, simplify, and add a burst of color to your Advent. The spiritual practice of coloring mandalas (circular designs), lighting candles, and praying regularly can help us stay centered on God during this busy time of year. Give it a try. Color as you pray this Advent season.

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

5 Comments | Join the Conversation.

Today's Reflection

THE GREATEST signs of God’s presence are, indeed, noted whenever and wherever we encounter joy and abundance. If our energies are running low, God can be our strength. If we feel we have run out of time, we dare not forget that God is the giver of all good gifts—even life itself. And if we don’t feel like celebrating, God gives us the finest gifts anyway.

—Todd Outcalt, Blue Christmas: Devotions of Light in a Season of Darkness (Upper Room Books, 2018)

Today's Question

What gifts have you received from God?  

Today's Scripture

“Every good gift, every perfect gift, comes from above. These gifts come down from the Father, the creator of the heavenly lights, in whose character there is no change at all.”
—James 1:17 (CEB)

Prayer for the Week

God of Light, be my hope in this season. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room .

Something More

The Staff of The Upper Room invites you to join us for a virtual “Blue Christmas” worship service, also known as the “Longest Night” service. This service is especially designed to give voice and hope to those who are grieving or who are experiencing loss. Click here to watch the video and be sure to share it with a friend.

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

7 Comments | Join the Conversation.

Today's Reflection

AS WE MOVE along our spiritual journeys, we live in the tension between fear and fantasy. But I know of a third way to continue our spiritual journeys: We can choose to live a story of faith and trust in God and God’s goodness. Making this choice does not mean that we will never feel fear or submit to fantasies about the future. Stories of faith do not resolve this tension; instead, they help us transcend fear and fantasy in surprising ways by pointing toward the divine presence in our lives.

—Michael E. Williams, Spoken into Being: Divine Encounters Through Story (Upper Room Books, 2017)

Today's Question

What story of faith in God’s goodness can you share today?  

Today's Scripture

“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”
—Colossians 2:6-7 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

I love to tell the story
For those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting
To hear it like the rest.

From "I Love to Tell the Story" by
Katherine Hankey, The United Methodist Hymnal, No. 156

Submit your prayer to The Upper Room or share it in the comment section.

Something More

During Advent we think about a wondrous mystery: that God chose to become human and lived among us. Rediscover The Wondrous Mystery this Advent.

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

3 Comments | Join the Conversation.

Today's Reflection

WHETHER DRAMATIC and sensational or still and small, stories that allow us to recognize sacred places do so by alerting us to God’s presence in the here and now. Once we understand that God can enter our lives in any place and at any time, we become aware of the Divine in the present moment.

—Michael E. Williams, Spoken into Being: Divine Encounters Through Story (Upper Room Books, 2017)

Today's Question

Where are the places you most readily notice God’s presence?  

Today's Scripture

“Then Jacob woke from his sleep and said, “Surely the LORD is in this place—and I did not know it!”
—Genesis 28:16 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

I love to tell the story
For those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting
To hear it like the rest.

From "I Love to Tell the Story" by
Katherine Hankey, The United Methodist Hymnal, No. 156

Submit your prayer to The Upper Room or share it in the comment section.

Something More

During Advent we think about a wondrous mystery: that God chose to become human and lived among us. Rediscover The Wondrous Mystery this Advent.

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

7 Comments | Join the Conversation.

Today's Reflection

THE SPIRIT ALSO sends us clues for our spiritual lives on a daily basis, not just when we are facing big decisions or major challenges. Attentiveness is a spiritual practice for every part and moment of our lives. Seeking God’s presence, finding our presence, looking to feed our souls, and being aware are all avenues that deepen our spirituality.

—Valerie K. Isenhower, Meditation on Both Sides of the Camera: A Spiritual Journey in Photography (Upper Room Books, 2012)

Today's Question

Can you practice being aware of God’s presence in each moment?  

Today's Scripture

“But surely, God is my helper;
the Lord is the upholder of my life.”
—Psalm 54:4 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Breathe on me, Breath of God.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room or share it in the comment section.

Something More

Sight Psalms is a daily online photo inspiration from The Upper Room intended to help people reflect on God’s presence in the world and in their lives through the use of images. Subscribe today.

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

6 Comments | Join the Conversation.