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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

STABILITY OF THE HEART does not come naturally. But the simple rhythms of tending to body and soul — making oatmeal and saying prayers, keeping house and singing songs — bring me back to a center, to a still point that is fixed in this place. I do not know how to eliminate distractions (even if I shut down my e-mail, turn off the cell phone, and drive to a pristine retreat center, my thoughts are still with me.)

But I can keep the rhythms that are given to me by my church and community. I can listen to my son and watch the birds more closely.

The desert mother Amma Syncletica said, “If a bird abandons the eggs she has been sitting on, she prevents them from hatching, and in the same way monks or nuns will grow cold and their faith will perish if they go around from one place to another.” I hold this fragment like a leaf in my beak. I’ll take what I’m given and build with it

Alive Now, September/October 2015

Original source of quote: The Wisdom of Stability: Rooting Faith in a Mobile Culture by Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove. Published by Paraclete Press. Reprinted with permission in Alive Now, September/October 2015. upperroom.org. Learn more about The Upper Room.

Today’s Question

What rhythms keep you close to God? Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, you are very great. You are clothed with honor and majesty,

Psalm 104:1, NRSV

This Week: pray for those needing shelter. 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: Ignatius of Antioch (October 17).

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

7 Comments

  • Jill Posted October 17, 2018 3:30 am

    My time in the morning sets the table for the day. Trying to be mindful throughout the day, when my brain isn’t focusing on something specific at school, to be grateful. It re-orients my spirit and is like taking a big, fresh gulp of air. And when I sit down to evening dinner, taking extra time to say more than grace, but again to reflect momentarily on the day, being grateful.
    I am grateful for a greater awareness of gratefulness. Grateful to have time yesterday to run two quick errands and grab a bite to eat before an extended meeting after school. Grateful for the simple, daily testimonies here of fellow sojourners.
    God, You hear our cries for Marcy – may You envelop her in Your love and care. Thank You for tending to us all.

  • robert moeller Posted October 17, 2018 5:54 am

    Music, hymns and melodies, do a lot to keep me focused. Now that choir season has returned, new anthems stay with me during the week, many times heard hymns help me too. I think there is a great mystery to music and the powerful, spiritual support it provides, communicates. Thank You, Lord for music that comforts, fortifies, reassures, and inspires.

    Prayers for the spiritually and physically hungry. May those needing shelter find it. May the help needed for people who have been through natural disasters be plentiful and adequate. In Jesus’ name, I pray.

  • Julie Posted October 17, 2018 8:12 am

    As the author points out, my daily chores keep me grounded. I have related that I use the time doing daily tasks to reflect and pray about what is on my mind. Of course all the daily devotions, etc. that I read including this reflection, keep my heart and mind in God’s space.
    I applied for a job that would be ideal for me. It is doing engineering work that I have done before and very much enjoyed. I know they will overlook me because it has been so many years since I worked. But is the same work I did fresh out of grad school when I had no expereince whatsoever and I always received high praise. Please pray that they do not dismiss me, if that is God’s will.
    Prayers for Erich and his crepes to be successful for the job. Prayers for Robert and his church choir, may they always be in harmony.
    Prayers for Jill and her busy school days. May she be safe.
    Prayers for Larry and Gloria and their mental health.
    Prayers for Mary and her flowers.
    Prayers for Betsy and her prison ministry.
    Prayers for Connie. May her hummers find safe haven to await warm summer weather.
    Prayers for Andrea and her grandson and their joyful time spent together.
    Prayers for Marcy. May God be watching over her and holding her close.
    Prayers for those in need in the path of the Hurricane and may all those missing be found safe.
    Prayers for all who come here. You have found a warm home

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted October 17, 2018 7:49 pm

      Thanks Julie for your prayers!

      I believe in miracles so I wish you all the very best that you get the job you want.

      Blessings and thanks to others who also keep me and my parents in prayer.

      May all be well and walking closely with God!

  • Connie Posted October 17, 2018 10:40 am

    My life used to have a daily routine, but that rhythm is no more. However, my rhythm comes in the early morning when all is quiet and calm and I treasure that time….and my time with the UR.
    Thankful for:
    A Robin who got a good drink at the bird bath.
    Lunch with a family member. Our family on my Father’s side is shrinking fast so I want to soak in this time with her.
    Watching each sunrise.
    Julie’s prayers for us. I only need to read her post to remind me of who needs prayer, and I pray as I read.
    God, who supplies all our needs.

  • leoni Posted October 18, 2018 3:04 am

    j’ai bien aimé et admiré cette matinée …je crois que le seigneur est toujours là pour affirmes nos pas dans l’amour et son avenir

  • shirley yates Posted October 19, 2018 10:02 am

    V.1 stands out to me this morning. “ALL THAT I AM” …every sinew, gifts, quirk, up and down…ALL, Lord, I want my all to honor you. You have created me bone and boundless passion and desire. All is Yours to use and all is YOURS to bend and create into Your purpose and plan. You have done an amazing, mind-blowing job so far with Your creation (of which I am one) and I can put my trust in You to finish the job. Amen.

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