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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

Resting in God

MANY OF US have images of God that prevent us from seeing ourselves as merely resting in God’s lap. But eventually words cease, requests run out, arguments stop, and we are invited simply to be with God. Not seeking a feeling. Not looking for an answer. Not actively imagining God, listening to God, or talking to God, but crawling up in the lap of Love, resting our head against Love’s breast, and taking comfort in that slow, steady heartbeat of grace that says, “This is where you belong.”

– L. Roger Owens
What We Need Is Here

From page 33 of What We Need Is Here: Practicing the Heart of Christian Spirituality by L. Roger Owens. Copyright © 2015 by L. Roger Owens. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

Set aside time to rest in 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.’ When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that no one dared to ask him any question.
Mark 12:34, NRSV

This Week: pray for world leaders. 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: Antoinette Brown Blackwell (November 5).

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

9 Comments

  • Jill Posted November 5, 2018 3:57 am

    I had never experienced God in this way until about a year ago. It was when I had fully surrendered to Him…how I was feeling physically, would I be rested, etc. And I envisioned Him seated in a chair and I was seated at His feet, laying my head in His lap and my arms wrapped around His waist. It was a peace I had never felt before and it was almost a real physical experience. The memory is strong and gives me comfort.
    Grateful for the cancer support group meeting yesterday. When I arrived, the group leader’s wife was waiting to introduce me to Jennifer. She gave me a warm embrace and we sat together and talked before the meeting began. Afterwards – she prayed with me, shared a bit from her own experience. She, too, is a teacher. I am so grateful to God for bringing us together.
    Grateful for a second day of sunshine – I so enjoyed the beautiful trees on the drive up and back from the meeting. The crimsons, rusts, oranges and yellows were vibrant against the blue sky.
    Prayers for the needs of the visitors to this site. May the week ahead be ripe with opportunities to glorify our Awesome Saviour.

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted November 5, 2018 5:18 am

    Grateful for the rain and sunshine.

    Grateful for the joy of resting in God.

    Blessings!

  • Connie Posted November 5, 2018 6:41 am

    In the lap of Love and Grace. That is where I want to be.
    Have a good week, all. I am thinking of you.

  • robert moeller Posted November 5, 2018 6:56 am

    Thankful for the posts from Jill, Mary, Joan, Julie, Connie and April. Much to learn and digest from those posts, am off to have the snow tires installed, Will comment, respond more when I return.

    Blessings as we start a new week.

  • Julie Posted November 5, 2018 8:10 am

    When I need to feel safe and peaceful and reassured this is exactly the image I have of God and myself. I envision myself being cradled by God in His lap and circled by His arms.
    Prayers for Robert and his many errands, may he be safe.
    Prayers for Jill and her answered prayers.
    Prayers for Mary and her newfound sense of joy.
    Prayers for Connie and her family. Prayers for Betsy and her family and ministry. Prayers for Lou and her children, especially her youngest as she looks for a college. Prayers for Andrea and her family and thier relationships. Prayers for April and her family. Prayers for Marcy and all those we do not hear from.
    Prayers dear UR family

  • Darr Sigilman Posted November 5, 2018 9:42 am

    I think that the concept of climbing up into God’s lap is presumptuous. Through the righteousness of Christ we can approach God with all our needs and as long as we as in faith that if it is to God’s glory that we have something that we want, our desires. But we should always keep in mind that God “dwells in the light that no man can approach unto….. ” 1 Timothy 3:16. And not use language that put God on A level with man. God is infinitely higher then man or angels and we are always to maintain A reverential distance and show proper reverence and humility when coming before God.

  • Betsy Posted November 5, 2018 3:03 pm

    I have felt God’s presence this weekend. We welcomed 11 women to our Kairos Weekend and all were blessed in so many ways! We were able to show His love to broken ladies who have felt abandoned by family and friends, but most of all, separated from God’s love. Through laughter, tears, fellowship and deep conversation, bonds were made that will last. Thank you all for your prayers during this time. I’m tired, but empowered. I pray that all the ladies rest in God going forward.
    Glad to be back with all of you and am still catching up on your posts. Raining here, but it is a good day to get caught up on laundry and house chores.

  • Marcy Posted November 6, 2018 4:41 pm

    God bless the sweetest, most caring group of family and friends He has provided for me, my UR Reflections siblings in Christ.

    I have had physical and mental mountains to climb. I have had technological issues with this cell phone, my only access to the Internet. I have lots to read to catch up with all of you. God, in His infinite Love, and pastoral care, has saved me once again.

    I’m still getting my feet under me, literally and figuratively, so I’ll start out posting in intervals, working up to daily posts again.

    I’ve been thinking of you all, and praying for you, regardless of not being up on the current events. Just to start with today, hello again to Jill, Mary, Robert, Connie, Betsy, and dear Julie, thank you for keeping me in your prayers. Thank you to all those who have been praying for me; I am so thankful to our Father for His strength, Love and Hope, multiplied by the prayers of many.

    One small thing: Lucy got into a sampler of perfume yesterday (I have no idea where it came from) and was sneezing non-stop and rubbing her nose until it was bright pink. I was worried and prayed for her healing. And she seems to be okay today. Thank you, Lord. Also, I had lots of help and was able to vote yesterday, restoring a sense of normality.

    My help in home begins tomorrow; a lady named Mary! Another blessing from God! I will also be getting Life Alert, due to the my situation.

    I have missed you all terribly! I’m getting very emotional now, as usual, and will read as much as I can each day, getting up to date.

    As always – –
    And these three remain: Faith, Hope and Love, and the greatest of these is LOVE! I truly Love you all and will continue to keep you all in prayer!

    • Connie Posted November 7, 2018 7:36 am

      Love you too, Sister Marcy. And you voted with all you deal with!….God bless you.

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