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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

WE HAVE TO train ourselves to become the type of earthly vessels that can endure the challenging joy of waiting on God, whether we are waiting for the Christ child or for an answer to prayer. We need ways of training ourselves in strength, patience, courage, and endurance. Spiritual disciplines like prayer, solitude, fasting, and scripture reading can be useful resources for training in daily discipleship. They open us up, hone our hearing and our spiritual vision, and make us sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

—Enuma Okoro, Silence and Other Surprising Invitations of Advent (Upper Room Books, 2012)

Today’s Question

Which spiritual disciplines support your attentiveness to the Holy Spirit’s leading?  Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

“But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.”
—Jude 1:20-21 (NIV)

Prayer for the Week

Transforming God, as we wait, prepare our hearts to receive you.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

As we enter the third week of Advent, let’s step back from the encroaching busyness of the holiday season to listen to God through the silence, thanking God for the gift of Emmanuel. Help others to experience the presence of Christ by giving to The Upper Room.

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

11 Comments

  • Bj Posted December 16, 2019 7:54 am

    Good morning, UR family! I have long been waiting for today’s reflection. So, I went back to yesterday’s reflection, and saw where it said next or previous. I was very determined to go on to read the reflection earlier. I love this UR group! Prayers and blessings to all of you on this day.

    • Bj Posted December 16, 2019 7:58 am

      What I meant to say was today’s reflection did not come to my email address. Thank you all for your patience.

      • Bj Posted December 16, 2019 8:10 am

        It is me again! Just got it at 8:06 am.

  • Julie Posted December 16, 2019 8:20 am

    Giving to toy and money drives to support families who would not otherwise have a Christmans celebration. Giving to Alley Cat Allies so they may save more felines. Reading the UR Devotional and Reflection and comments. Reading scripture.
    Prayers for BJ and her tenacity. The Relection did not appear in my email either and I went to the UR app to access it. You should download this app as I have found it very useful and it is how I access the UR Devotional.
    Prayers for Andrea and her daughter. May Andrea have less pain and may her daughter have an amicable resolution at work.
    Prayers for Connie, may her health improve.
    Prayers for Lou as she finds her new normal.
    Prayers for Jill and Larry, may they have warm memories replace their sorrow.
    Prayers for Mary and her students, may they all have success.
    Prayers for Marcy, may she be safe and receive aid soon.
    Prayers for Robert and Erich, may Robert enoy more time with his daughter and granddaugters.
    Prayers for Rick and his husband, may they rejoice this Cristmas season.
    Prayers for April and her family, may they have a joy filled holiday season.
    Prayers and thank you UR

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted December 16, 2019 5:10 pm

      Thank you Julie and may God bless your giving to the less privileged!

      I pray, fas, spend quiet time with God and reading the scriptures

      May we train ourselves to become the type of earthly vessels that can endure the challenging joy of waiting on God!

      Blessings!

  • Andrea Posted December 16, 2019 9:33 am

    Thank you Julie. Prayers for you and Megan, for a peaceful, joyful Advent.

  • Andrea Posted December 16, 2019 9:40 am

    Lectio Divina, prayer, walking outdoors. I am reading through the Psalms. Psalm 18:2 – The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

    Blessings and prayers.

  • Rick Posted December 16, 2019 7:25 pm

    The spiritual disciplines that support my attentiveness to the Holy Spirit’s leading. For me it is Reading of the scriptures, Pray and Meditation. Reading the UR daily helps me grow in my discipline. It has all been a process for me over the years. God has placed amazing men and women in my life building me up in my faith. The cycle of Grace workshop work shop inspired me too. I also have a home church and I am active in my congregation and in worship. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers this day. I and humbled and deeply grateful for your prayers and kind words. God Bless.

  • Jill Posted December 17, 2019 3:23 am

    Being in the Word is crucial, as is intentional time with Him in the morning. II Corinthians 10:5 – we are told to take each thought captive…this was a huge hurdle for me – putting a stop to the thoughts running amok in my mind. With His help – there has been significant improvement.
    Grateful for the love and support, as well as consistent prayers of so many who post here.

  • robert moeller Posted December 17, 2019 6:25 pm

    QT, silence, Bible study, reading scripture, UR refections, and prayers all help
    me.

    Lately there are days when my regimen gets out kilter, order. Thankfully I can come back and post.

    The community of faith I attend has lost a long time, dearly loved member.
    This surely puts a damper on this season despite our understanding of unabashed joy.

    May you all be safe, healthy, and on solid ground. Thank You, Lord.

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