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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

O God, the sky is dark today,
and I am feeling darkness inside as well.

I don’t know what to do next.
You know the struggles in my life right now.
I have decisions to make, and I am unsure which one
is right.
I have decisions to make, and I’m feeling scared
and anxious.

Come beside me, Lord.
I need the assurance of your presence.
I need to know the sun will shine again.
I need your comfort and direction.

Be present to me, O God, as I face my struggles.
Shine light on this dark path. Amen.

—Mary Lou Redding, Prayers for Life’s Ordinary and Extraordinary Moments (Upper Room Books, 2012)

Today’s Question

Where do you need God’s light to shine in your life? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
—John 1:5 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

This week, make the reflection for each day your prayer, followed by a moment of silence and listening for the still small voice of the Spirit.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

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We invite you to take advantage of a free 30-day trial subscription to the email edition of The Upper Room daily devotional guide, the only daily devotional written entirely by its readers. To start your free trial, visit upperroom.org/welcome.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

Baptism of the Lord

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

2 Comments

  • Julie Posted January 5, 2021 8:39 am

    I wrote into my new journal the verses shared by the UR Devotional author in her blog post attached to the devotional and I will add this prayer as well as my life is currently a mass of dark clouds. I very much need God’s direction in many aspects of my life.
    Prayers for Jill and her students. May those who cheated be dealt with by those who have intervened fairly. May Jill’s students be more willing to turn on their monitors. I read an article in the Washingtom Post by a student who leaves her camera of because she does not want to be observed by her fellow students. She experiences anxiety and thinks they are looking at her and judging her. I read of other students who felt safe from bullies and detractors for the first time and therefore stay with hidden from view.
    Prayers for Robert and his children and their lack of faith.
    Prayers for Ally and David, for physical and fiscal health.

  • Jill Posted January 5, 2021 12:57 pm

    What a beautiful, timely prayer. Relevant to all of us, despite our different circumstances. Lord, we need You. We long to be led by You, to be fed by You. Shine Your light, as only You can – for it is the light that truly illuminates and casts out darkness. Spread Your peace, as it is our sustenance and we long for more of it, tangibly in our circumstances, homes and lives. Grant us wisdom, as many here are facing multiple forks in multiple roads…help us to long for perseverance which leads to obedience, as opposed to immediate ease. Father – grant us desire for Your Word, and the commitment to set aside time to abide there with You. Grant us opportunities to usher forth Your Kingdom to those with whom we are in contact.
    May glorifying You be foremost in our minds, as we go throughout the day.

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