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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

Blessed is the servant who does not speak in the hope of gain, does not discuss all his affairs, and is not eager to talk, but wisely weighs his words and replies. Woe to the Religious who does not hide the favors that God has shown him within his heart, and who does not show proof of them in his behavior, but wants to tell everyone about them in hope of some gain. In so doing he has received his reward, and those who listen to him reap little benefit.

—Edited by Keith Beasley-Topliffe, Upper Room Spiritual Classics: Writings of Francis & Clare (Upper Room Books, 2017)

Today’s Question

What practices help you to weigh your words before you speak? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

“And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.”
—Matthew 6:5 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace
Where there is hatred, let me sow love
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is doubt, faith
Where there is despair, hope
Where there is darkness, light
And where there is sadness, joy.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

Discover sacred space at home. Join our Online Academy Day Apart on October 24 with Frank Rogers, Jr. and Christopher Carter for spiritual resources that help participants navigate polarizing times and cultivate compassion and resilience for themselves, others, and the world.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

4 Comments

  • Jill Posted October 1, 2020 5:06 am

    I don’t know that it is so much a practice as an awareness and a recognition of the critical spirit within me. This, no doubt, was ingrained in me by my mom. She was very critical and opinionated and I grew up being this way to. But, maybe during the last ten years – I got so tired of her being critical of dad about the littlest things and came to his defense. Well, this too, was a problem. A friend intentionally prayed for me and with me in regards to this, and the Lord began a mighty work in me.
    The first half of James 3 speaks to the power of the tongue. But – the second half of the chapter became a place where I lingered and meditated. It helped quite a bit with my thoughts regarding my sister and my poor attitude. Wanting not only my words, but my actions to be more Christlike – the verses speak to being peaceable, gentle, willing to yield. A stubborn folk, my family is. Yes, willing to yield. Willing to hold in the unnecessary comment. The Holy Spirit has guided me along the continuum for more silence and tempering of poor thoughts. Praise God.

  • Julie Posted October 1, 2020 8:38 am

    It is amazing how profoundly we are affected by and similar to our mothers. My mother is very critical and negative. In fact family members have approached me regarding this. The result for me is that I am reticent to speak, ever. I was told in word and deed that no one wanted to hear me or my thoughts, so I learned to keep my thoughts, etc., locked within. Itry not to be critical, but you are right, Jill, it is a struggle against what I learned continually during my formative years.
    Prayers for Jill and Becky, may they both choose to keep the criticisms to themselves.
    Prayers for Robert and his church making sure that the members have many opportunities for fellowship weekly.
    Prayers for Ally and David, for health, strength, and prosperity. Thank you again, Ally, for your information and prayers regarding Tazzie. You got me through a difficult and scary weekend.
    Prayers, thank you and be well UR

  • Ally Posted October 1, 2020 1:18 pm

    My Daddy cautioned my sister and me regarding weighing our responses. Some of the things I employ are to count to 10, walk away for 1-2minutes if I’m angry and do some deep breathing, praying about how to respond, even if it is a quick “Jesus, give me the words”. I have an inmate on my caseload who tries me almost daily, so I get to practice this a lot. Unfortunately, I occasionally fall short in this area. I am thankful for God’s grace when I fall short. I think weighing my words is hardest with my husband. He doesn’t mean to, but I feel that sometimes he talks to me I’m a child and I have a tendency to react badly instead of weighing my words. Lord, help me to practice with my family what I do with co-workers. I see Your wisdom.
    We are looking forward to our weekend away. David is really looking forward to seeing Emily, who is his younger daughter. His relationship with his girls is a little fragile due to the ugliness of his divorce from their mother, who has taken actions which were detrimental to David’s relationship with the girls, to his ,health, and to his finances. I pray daily for a change in my attitude toward this woman.
    Jill, your Spirit-led wisdom regarding knowledge of when to keep silent is so helpful to me. I have not yet met the mother of David’s children, but as Emily is now engaged, I know it’s coming. Thank you. Julie, you are so sweet and I’m so glad that I helped you get through the weekend and prayers for Tazzie continue. I have sympathized also with your travails regarding the kittens. I always forget in between raising kittens how energetic they are. My first Christmas with Scout, she climbed the Christmas tree and turned it over. I find other ways to decorate these days. if you and Jill will please lift up my 14 year old girl Scout, who has a small fluid-filled cyst on her head. It doesn’t bother her, but somehow it got scratched and has turned into an open wound (sorry for gory details). I’m cleaning it with wound cleanser and applying antibiotic ointment. It looks better, but she may need a vet visit. Thanks. I pray all have lovely fall weather and a chance to enjoy it. Thanks so much to our community for your support and prayers. I pray all stay safe and well. Love you all!

  • robert moeller Posted October 1, 2020 6:15 pm

    The first of the month is usually a busy day, today was no exception. Thankfully resources made is possible to pay bills and go food shopping. Thank You. Lord. Beautiful weather took my son and I on a hike in the woods right after putting the groceries away. Am glad Tazzie seems to be doing better, prayers for David and Ally, David’s children, and Scout. Prayers forJill, teaching, helping her Dad, and caring for others through different groups. I think of Julie, coming colder weather, her hands, and a safe resolution through a tough time. Marcy, Roxy, and many others are in my prayers too. They are missed for sure.

    Breakfast with the pastor in the morning, World Wide Communion on Sunday with a tailgate fellowship
    gathering to follow. Prayers for a new heating system for the church, the 40 year old furnace is beyond repair. Without water for a few hours yesterday, but all is well. Models progressing, new ones being started.. Have a great weekend, we’ll be in unison during communion. Thank You, Lord.

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