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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

One reason we would choose to go into the silence is that Jesus habitually sought solitude and silence. At the beginning of his ministry, he spent forty days in the wilderness where even he confronted the dark side of silence. “He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan” (Mark 1:13). Jesus didn’t let the paradox of silence deter him from its formative necessity in his life before he began his ministry. And such withdrawal seems to be a pattern in his ministry. “In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed” (Mark 1:35). Christians throughout the centuries–hermits who lived alone in the desert and spent their days in silence, monks who lived in communities but spent hours each day in silence, mystics who enjoyed being with God in meditation and contemplation–have looked to the practice of Jesus himself. They found in Jesus’ habit of silent communion with God a model for their own.

—L. Roger Owens, What We Need Is Here: Practicing the Heart of Christian Spirituality (Upper Room Books, 2015)

Today’s Question

What challenges do you experience when you seek silence? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Now during those days he went out to the mountain to pray; and he spent the night in prayer to God.
—Luke 6:12 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

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
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

Pause and notice God’s comforting presence by reflecting on the joyous songs of Advent. Good News of Great Joy: Advent Reflections on the Songs of Luke offers 24 daily readings that explore the context, content, and spirituality of the four canticles (“little songs”) in Luke 1–2. Learn more.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

Reign of Christ

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

4 Comments

  • R. Martin Armstrong Posted November 17, 2021 7:44 am

    Ringing in my ears are a challenge.

  • Julie Posted November 17, 2021 8:00 am

    There is constant noise in today’s world and there are constant thoughts in my head.
    I finally was able to acquire my Eliquis and have begun taking this new med. I will have to take it for 6 weeks to prevent DVTs and PEs which I have had in the past. I have a blood disorder that makes my blood clot to easily and surgey exacerbates the condition. I am extremely tired today. Megan and I went to Imersive Van Gogh yesterday. We had to get the tickets in July and so had no idea it would be the day following my surgery. The exhibit was amazing. You sit in a vast room and the images are projected on the walls surrounding you.
    Prayers for Ally as she completes the paperwork for disability and for David’s PSA to be lower. Prayers for Jill to receive a good review rating and for Roger’s body to respond to the insulin. Prayers for Robert and his fellow lay leaders to continue such strong stewardship of the church. Prayers for Marti and her staff. Thank you for your prayers and may God bless all who visit here today.

  • Ally Posted November 17, 2021 10:08 am

    The challenge is often finding a quiet place at home away from the television and other distractions, such as social media. I usually go in our den or the bedroom for my quiet time. It can sometimes be a challenge to focus. It is definitely easier to hear God in a quiet place.
    David’s appointment to have his PSA rechecked is next week, day before Thanksgiving. We are believing for lower numbers. Still slogging through the paperwork. Hope to have it finished today and faxxed to where it needs to go.
    prayers for Robert and his church as they plan worship for the rest of the year. Prayers that Jill will get a good review and for little Roger, that the insulin is working and numbers will come down. Prayers of Thanksgiving that Julie got her Eloquis. The Van Gogh exhibit came to Atlanta. I would love to have seen it. Glad you and Megan got to experience it. R. Martin Armstrong, praying for the ringing in your ears. Glad to see you today. I pray we all find quiet so we can hear God’s voice.

  • robert moeller Posted November 17, 2021 1:13 pm

    I think my walks are my silent time. Out for one soon. What a difference 24 years makes, still hints and memories of this day back then, glad I have her picture. A beautiful moon at 1:30 this morning. Korean food for breakfast. Glass going in on the model. Wonderful stuffed mushrooms for lunch. Memories of Dad too, he would be 102 on Friday. Have a new book for Advent Bible study: Adam Hamilton’s “Incarnation”. Thankful an art exhibit was seen, surgery done, paperwork being finished, Roger cared for. Blessings to all of you. Hope your Thanksgiving plans work out well. Thank You, Lord.

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