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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

I LEARNED AT A CONFERENCE that humans process 500,000 bits of information per day. That works out to 110 bits of information per second. While this may sound quite impressive, it quantifies the fact that our nervous systems can barely process two conversations taking place at the same time. … It’s not about our ability to multitask … it’s just how we’re made.

That must be why many of us are feeling quite overwhelmed and short on time. …

During the last ten to fifteen years, many of us have added cell phones, e-mail, the web, and a 24/7 urgency to our environment. …

There isn’t, of course, any way to create more minutes in a day or more days in a week. It’s not healthy to get by on less sleep or learn better how to multitask. I think the key to finding time lies in a couple of things:

  • Being intentional about spiritual practice. I must sink my roots deep into God’s Spirit every day. When I take time for God, it makes a difference in how I function in the day . . .
  • Carving out space inside for God — no matter what situation I’m in. Finding time is not just about “clock time,” it’s also a combination of discipline and internal spaciousness that helps me connect with God even when I’m sitting in traffic, overcome with anxiety, or surrounded by a crowd.

    – Beth A. Richardson
    Alive Now, July/August 2011

    “From the Editor,” by Beth A. Richardson, pages 4-5 of Alive Now, July/August 2011. Copyright © 2011 by The Upper Room. All rights reserved. Used by permission. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.

    Today’s Question

    Find times in your schedule to turn your attention to God. Share your thoughts.

    Today’s Scripture

    Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
    Mark 12:29-31, NRSV

    This Week: pray for refugees. 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: Donald M. Baillie (October 31).

    Lectionary Readings

    (Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

8 Comments

  • Jill Posted November 3, 2018 5:32 am

    Ah – what a gift today – an extra hour. How will I use it – I am tempted to say – an extra hour of sleep.
    I love the thought of internal spaciousness. Not just setting aside time to be with God, but also – clearing space inside where thoughts, tendencies, desires clutter my peace. Yes, in this space – I am more easily able to meet God. I can sense Him calling me, drawing me to Him – to rest. Thank You, Father.
    My sister, mom and I are going to a craft festival this morning. Usually my sister is out of town this time of year and unable to go to this one. Hopefully it will be an encouragement to mom.
    We have had several days of rain here – hoping for sun to bring out even more of the beauty of the vibrant leaves. My fire bush is still going strong, as are my gerbera daisies and one zinnia.

  • Julie Posted November 3, 2018 8:07 am

    Thank you Jill for expanding on the author’s concepts. I like your thought of findng space within ourselves to be filled by God and His peace and His leading and purpose for us.
    Prayers that Jill and her mother and sister have an enjoyable day.
    Saturdays are errand and chore days for Megan and myself. We do our shopping for the week and then spend the day doing housework and other essential house related stuff.
    Prayers for Robert and Erich and their impending move.
    Prayers for Mary and her joy over her new job.
    Prayers for Andrea and her relationships. May her words be soothing and pleasing to hew loved ones.
    Prayers for Lou and her children.
    Prayers for Betsy and her prison ministry.
    Prayers for Connie and her faily and her hummers and garden.
    Prayers for Marcy and April and all we do not hear from.
    Prayers for those who read and do not comment.
    Prayers dear UR family

    • Andrea Posted November 3, 2018 11:17 am

      Thank you, Julie, for your constant prayers in your daily comments. They are such a gift. I pray for you to be surrounded with support as the divorce process continues, for an outstanding outcome for you financially, for a wonderful job, and for your health. Blessings.

  • Connie Posted November 3, 2018 8:28 am

    I always find time for God. When that isn’t the case, I will be with Him.
    It’s amazing how summer flowers hang on. Jill’s Gerberas and Zinnia and my For-Get-Me-Nots and Marigolds. The Marigold plants themselves didn’t last long, but the seeds from them are still going!
    I am always inspired by Beth Richardson’s thoughts. And Julie’s prayers.
    God grant us all a good weekend filled with hope and peace.

  • robert moeller Posted November 3, 2018 8:48 am

    I’m fully in agreement with taking time for God, Was helped and guided to establish this practice and thankfully I have made it a habit. I do think I am not quite as thorough as I was earlier. Sometimes my time with God is affected by the timeliness of devotional material on line or by activities, but I strive to come back to or find the devotions that help so much.

    Prayers for refugees, asylum seekers, those serching for a safer and better life.
    Guide us all Lord as we go to vote, may Your will be ours.

    Thankful for the ability to help others, for upcoming winterization of the car, for bills paid, and for a treatment that seems to be having very positive results for Anneliese. Thankful Erich is ready and waiting for his job to start. There is a great incentive to help him accomplish his goals. I’m inching toward the assembly of two parts on the boiler of the Bismarck steam locomotive.

    • robert moeller Posted November 3, 2018 8:57 am

      Thankful for the prayers from the UR family, Julie you are very detailed, much like Marcy. Flowers are such a joy.glad many of you, Jill and Connie, are still enjoying them outdoors. Hope Gloria has a great day at the craft fair.
      An extra hour, a change of pace, a rearranging of our biological clock, there are two sides to the coin. May the positives outweigh the detractors.

      Thank You, Lord for the blessings of the day, for this wonderful site, and may we all “shake the shaker”.

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted November 3, 2018 9:31 am

    Grateful for time with God daily and all your prayers.

    Grateful for the weekends.

    Blessings!

  • Andrea Posted November 3, 2018 11:26 am

    How I needed Beth’s reflection today! I have been so busy with activities, daughter and grandson, house projects. My brain is on overload. Yes, I need to get away from all the screen-time (I have been busy organizing a number of activities for several groups). I need to re-prioritize my time with God. I need to rest in God.

    Special prayers for the refugees – women, children, men – marching through Mexico. May they be protected and wisely guided. May they find shelter, food, and basic facilities for hygiene. May they be guided and may peace prevail. Prayers also for the families, friends, and communities of the victims shot in a Pittsburgh synagogue, and for all who have been affected by gun violence and other violent acts. Lord God, hear our prayers.

    Blessings and prayers.

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