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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

JOHN WESLEY, founder of the Methodist movement, was known for his energy and activism. He traveled many miles on horseback and on foot to preach and guide the ministry. Sometimes theologians and historians lift him up as a kind of “energizer bunny” who never slowed down. Yet Wesley knew the value of rest and sometimes referred to sleep as a sacrament.

Take time today to rest, maybe even nap.

– Trevor Hudson and Jerry P. Haas
The Cycle of Grace

From page 35 of The Cycle of Grace: Living in Sacred Balance by Trevor Hudson and Jerry P. Haas. Copyright © 2012 by Upper Room Books. All rights reserved. Used by permission. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

Do you make time for rest during your day? Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.”
Mark 10:51, NRSV

This Week: pray for expectant parents. 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: Howard Thurman (October 22).

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

8 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted October 27, 2018 6:18 am

    Lately I am more nap prone than I ever was. The cat waking me up or my getting up early in the morning, busy active mornings after breakfast with walks or trips to the gym, errands, and this is a very rare one, watching most of last night’s baseball game, all make a nap a good idea. Expect I’ll be back asleep shortly after this.

    Prayers for expectant parents, a good soaking in of God’s wisdom as we vote, more civility, and no violence. Prayers for Marcy, Rusty and K.

    Thankful for the posts from Jill, Julie, Connie, Betsy, and Lou, Prayers for you, your needs and concerns, and rejoice in your joys. May this weekend be a restful one and may you and all the UR family have a blessed All Saints Day.
    Thank You, Lord

  • Jill Posted October 27, 2018 7:49 am

    Well, Robert – you stayed up very late for that game. I saw the score, and the innings, this morning. A double header, I suppose. May you rest well today.
    I certainly love the luxury of my summer days, being able to nap at will. I usually have a day on the weekend to nap amidst other activities. This will not be the case this weekend. I have many activities crammed into these two days. Today is the memorial service for the husband of the teacher from my Tuesday morning teacher prayer group. I have been praying intently for her this week, for strength for today.
    Suzanne has consistently spoken to me about self-care. We spoke at length after Wednesday evening’s small group. She encouraged me to be attentive to caring for myself, so I will be available to my parents, as well as be at the top of my game for my students. I treasure her words of wisdom.
    Grateful to have internet restored after not having it when I got up this morning. Grateful for good rest last evening. Grateful for a break in the rain, will be able to get my morning run in…in the light, as well. A little chuckle here – yesterday I stumbled over a sidewalk crack. I realize I am very fortunate to have not had more stumbles for all the time I spend running in the dark. Some antibiotic ointment and a bandaid was all that was needed for my knee. Should be grateful it was cold enough to have my mittens on, for they surely saved a bandaid on my hand.

  • Julie Posted October 27, 2018 8:19 am

    I try not to nap because I have difficulty sleeping at night. If I nap it would be even harder to sleep through the night. Too many things in my head and on my heart.
    Prayers for Robert and his busy mornings. I hope your team won since Jill alluded to a long game. Prayers that you found time to nap today.
    Prayers for Jill and safety for her during a busy weekend. May she find time to care for herself amidst her commitments. Prayers for her fellow teacher as she mourns her husband.
    Prayers for Connie and her husband. Prayers for Betsy and her family and all expectant families. Prayers for Lou and her children. Prayers for Andrea and her family. Prayers for Mary and her family and her new less stressful job. Prayers for Marcy and her safety.
    Prayers for all who come to this UR family, you are welcomed into our loving group

  • Andrea Posted October 27, 2018 8:44 am

    Thank you for your prayers. I follow along with the readings and your comments when I am not making comments myself, and keep you all in my prayers.

    I am grateful that my daughter and I are closer than ever. I expect we will still have tense moments but it seems as though we both have learned how to mitigate them. I am grateful that Lowell and I are going up to the North Shore of Lake Superior with my daughter, SIL, and grandson for three nights in November. It may be cold outside, but the lake is so moving, and our bodies, hearts, and souls will be warm inside the little red house we are renting.

    Today I am going to a big family gathering to celebrate my nephew’s 40th birthday. He lives in Colorado, so we don’t see him often. Although tensions have eased quite a bit with my siblings, I ask for your prayers as I still get nervous and on-guard when I am in a family setting.

    Prayers for Jill, Robert, Julie, Mary, Connie, Betsy, Marcy, Lou, and for all the people for whom you pray. Prayers for visitors to UR. Wishing all a blessed weekend.

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted October 27, 2018 9:09 am

      Thanks everyone for your prayers!

      Grateful that I sleep well so I don’t take naps. I do enjoy my new hobby, diamond art. Already completed two and given away.

      May all rest well and live well!

      • Andrea Posted October 27, 2018 12:56 pm

        So good to hear you have time for a hobby now, Mary! What is diamond art? I have not heard of it.

  • Connie Posted October 27, 2018 8:45 am

    As I grow older my “Cat Naps” no longer provide a “Second Wind” as they used to, but I take them, none-the-less!
    Thankful for:
    Saturday-Friday was stressful. Had to “cancel” it altogether!
    Successful landscaping done on Thurs. Looks very nice.
    A chance to post here.
    Blessings to all the Reflection Saints.

  • Betsy Posted October 28, 2018 7:46 am

    Weekends are my time to rest, catch up on reading and sometimes I’ll sneak in a nap. As the seasons are changing, much yard work, etc to tend to.
    Hard to believe that we will soon close out the month of October and welcome in November. Blessings to all this Sabbath.

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