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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

SOME SPIRITUAL WRITERS remind us that whispers of kindness and compassion are extended to us throughout each day—the courtesy of a stranger holding a door for our passing, the smile of a friend from across the room, the hand that holds ours when our spirits are down, the loved one who cares how our day has unfolded. Often, these register but for a moment and then flow right on past us. Practices like the Ignatian daily awareness examen or the Buddhist meditation on receiving glove help us notice and savor these whispers of compassion. These practices recognize that the soil of our soul grows all the more fertile as these showers of kindness soak deeply within and collect into the pools of our interior reserves.

– Frank Rogers Jr.
Practicing Compassion

From page 44 of Practicing Compasssion by Frank Rogers Jr. Copyright © 2015 by Frank Rogers Jr. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

Where can you shower kindness today? Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail. So it is to be. Amen.

Revelation 1:7, NRSV

This Week: Pray for those suffering from mental illness. 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 an intercessory prayer ministry staffed by Christian volunteers. Submit a prayer request, and our Covenant Prayer Groups will pray for you. Visit The Living Prayer Center website.

This week we remember: Ann Eliza Worchester Robertson (November 19).

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

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PREPARE FOR ADVENT: Explore how nativity sets, Advent wreaths, candles, carols, Christmas cards, and other traditions help prepare our hearts for the God “who bends low to enter our world and our lives.” The Living Nativity, a new book and eCourse by Larry Peacock, is available now.

8 Comments

  • Jill Posted November 23, 2018 5:09 am

    This afternoon I am helping a colleague pack – she is moving in a few weeks. She is downsizing from a home to a condo as she preps for retirement in a few years. She is the coordinator of the program I am associated with, and her office is right next door to mine. She has been a source of support, both school wise and a listening ear and friend during the last year, especially.
    Grateful for another holiday for mom to enjoy, as she is feeling so well. I am encouraged, and I know dad is as well.
    I am sitting here this morning, thinking about thankfulness/gratitude and contentment. I find myself content, at peace with things. Is contentment enough, or is thankfulness a necessary out-flowing? I don’t want to be ungrateful. Is saying – “It is well with my soul” on equal par with “thank You, God.” Would welcome feedback and wisdom from this UR family.
    Thank You, Father – for this great peace, only of You.

    • Gail Posted November 23, 2018 6:59 am

      Being Content and giving thanks are 2 different things. Thankfulness is the result of a choice to intentionally give thanks. Contentment is having the peace that Jesus gives in one’s heart. Thankfulness may be the result. But choosing to give thanks even under difficult circumstances may lead to contentment. Smiling has a physical effect on your body. ( A different issue but helpful nonetheless, I find.)

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted November 23, 2018 5:30 am

    Enjoyed shopping today. Bought mum 2 blouses. She is happy.

    Praying for those with mental case. May their needs be met. May they have peace and support from family and friends. May they be healed.

    Blessings!

  • robert moeller Posted November 23, 2018 6:31 am

    Prayers for Sharon, Andrea at her brother’s house, Jill’s colleague moving, Marcy’s sister, thankful to read of the Thanksgivings the UR family enjoyed.
    While my family was separated I was in contact and so we are connected.

    Yes, throughout the day there are many ways to shower kindness, may we all take good advantage of them.

    Prayers for those with mental illness, may insurance cover more of their treatment, more be helped and new and better treatments found. God grant us wisdom to know when treatments are wrong, inappropriate, and useless.

    Blessings to all as Thanksgiving Weekend arrives.

  • Julie Posted November 23, 2018 8:31 am

    First Jill, I agree with Gail. Contentment is a feeling that springs up unintentionally and is often based on circumstances that we view in a positive manner. Gratefulness is a deliberate act that Christians are urged to undertake in all circumstances. I am not at that point yet.
    I had a lovely Thanksgiving among relatives I see infrequently.
    Prayers for all UR family

  • Connie Posted November 23, 2018 9:23 am

    We had a good Thanksgiving. Everything I cooked turned out well, so the cook was happy!
    Yes, He is coming with the clouds. Look up.
    Thankful for:
    A day without commitments.
    The little Snowbirds coming again lately.
    Leftover ham…..ham & scallop potatoes coming up. I do make a “mean” casserole.
    Glad “Reflection” Thanksgivings went well. Good to share these things.

  • Andrea Posted November 23, 2018 9:54 am

    Thanksgiving was okay. Thank you for your prayers. I especially enjoyed playing with my 4 y.o. grand-niece and talking to her mother, my niece.

    I think contentment and gratitude are very closely related. What makes us content is that for which we are grateful, in my mind, and it is good to consciously savor contentment as Jill does and give thanks for contentment itself and all that gives rise to it.

    My husband has developed a sore on his shin from swelling of the sprained ankle. I ask for prayers that it heals well.

    Prayers for cherished UR friends. Wishing all a blessed post-Thanksgiving.

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