X

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

A MOTHER OF a busy toddler asked me once how to pray with her child. “He won’t be still, not even for one second,” she said. “I’ve tried to get him to be quiet for a short, one sentence prayer, but he won’t event stop for that.” My response was, “Then pray with him on the run. As he is running in the yard, run beside him, and notice the flowers or the leaves or whatever catches his attention. Just comment on them, saying, ‘God made such beautiful flowers or leaves.’ Or say, ‘Thank you, God, for making such a beautiful world.'” Even this small beginning will bear fruit.

– Betty Shannon Cloyd
Children and Prayer

From page 58 of Children and Prayer: A Shared Pilgrimage by Betty Shannon Cloyd. Copyright © 1997 by Betty Shannon Cloyd. 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 could you pray on the run? Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

“If I go forward, he is not there; or backward, I cannot perceive him;
on the left he hides, and I cannot behold him; I turn to the right, but I cannot see him.
God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me;
If only I could vanish in darkness, and thick darkness would cover my face!”

Job 23:8-17, NRSV

This Week: pray for those without enough to eat. 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: John Woolman (October 7).

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

11 Comments

  • Jill Posted October 8, 2018 3:28 am

    Praying as I move through the congested, noisy hallways – instead of noticing the horrible language and lack of respect, I could be grateful for the overall safety of my school and the opportunity to work with and mold young minds. I will try to be mindful of this today.
    Grateful for the cancer support group meeting yesterday morning and for continued stories of steadfastness and God’s provision despite this menacing disease. Grateful for the encouragement of others.
    Sitting here quietly this morning, thanking God for my dad and his birthday today. I am amazed when I think about dad’s deep deep love for mom, his self-sacrificial spirit and how it brings him such joy to care for and love her. Grateful for his sustained health and strength on this caregiving road.

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted October 8, 2018 4:05 am

    Last teaching assignment today.

    Grateful to God for His goodness and providence!

    Blessings to all and have a great week ahead!

  • robert moeller Posted October 8, 2018 6:48 am

    Thankful for church, communion, fellowship hour, good news on the results of the chicken pie supper, Erich has a job interview Wednesday, we visited the place where he would work.

    I would and do pray “on the run” during my daily walks. The surroundings are very inspiring, beautiful, and ever changing. I’m ver thankful for my walks and talks with God.

    Yes, prayers for those who are hungry, may our prayers brig guidance on how to better use the food we have so less of it goes to waste. On 60 Minutes a world famous chef opened dining for low income customers and serves them great meals in wonderful surroundings.

    Hope you all had a blessed weekend, there’s one more day as it is Columbus Day weekend in the US. Mixed feelings about this day. Native Americans do not celebrate it, yet because of it my ancestors found a new home. Sometimes one person’s joy is another person’s sorrow.

    • Connie Posted October 8, 2018 8:20 am

      I saw that show-very touching.

  • Andrea Posted October 8, 2018 7:41 am

    Being with a small child and the joy it brings, seeing the world through a child’s eyes and being grateful for those precious moments, are as much of a prayer of praise that I know. I am grateful for time with my daughter and grandson yesterday, and for my husband, a loving, creative grandpa.

    Thank You, God.

    Prayers for all. October Monday prayers for Connie. Blessings.

    • Connie Posted October 8, 2018 8:21 am

      Thank you-needed.

  • Julie Posted October 8, 2018 8:04 am

    This is the way I pray the most. It is easy to remember and instead of letting my mind wander, especially under the current circumstances, this time and my mind are better used to pray aand converse with the Lord. I also pray when I see an accident while driving.
    Prayers of thankfulness that Mary is no longer teaching which has proven so stressful. Prayers that being a florist is Mary’s God given calling.
    Prayers for Robert and Erich. Prayers that Erich has a good interview with a positive outcome. Prayers of thankfulness for a successful chicken pie dinner. Prayers of thankfulness for Robert’s continued good health.
    Prayers for Jill and Gloria and their health concerns. Prayers of thankfulness for Laryy and his love and fortitude. Prayers of thankfulness for the gift of Larry on this day of celebrating his birth.
    Prayers for Andrea and her family. Prayers of thankfulness for time spent with family and continued family harmony.
    Prayers for Connie and her family. Prayers of thankfulness that they have one another for support through this season of grief.
    Prayers for Marcy. Prayers of thankfulness for Marcy and her lloving nature.
    Prayers for and prayers of thankfulness for each of the UR family members

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted October 9, 2018 12:50 am

      Thanks dear Julie!

      In our prayers of thankfullness, may God be glorified!

      Blessings!

  • Connie Posted October 8, 2018 8:28 am

    I pray a lot “on the run”. God probably wonders if I am ever quiet!
    Thankful for:
    The “orange sunrise”
    One or two “Forget-Me-Nots” blooming
    The love I feel from others
    Happy Birthday to Jill’s Father, Larry.
    May Mary have blessings galore!
    May this week be all to the Glory of God.

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted October 9, 2018 12:42 am

      Thanks dear Connie!

      In our reflection, may God be glorified!

      Blessings!

  • Darr Sigilman Posted October 10, 2018 8:52 pm

    You can pray while you are walking to the store or while you are shopping or just doing your job at work. You can pray while you are just taking A walk or just working or studying. You can pray anywhere.

Add Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *