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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

THE TERM creatures of habit isn’t just a catchy phrase. Its truth is gaining credence in the world of science as well as in our everyday world of observation. As noted, each time we engage a thought, a particular neural pattern deepens. The more frequently a behavior or feeling is repeated, the more likely it is to be repeated again. No wonder Christians through the centuries have employed chant, prayer beads, and other forms of repetitive prayer.

Mark 11:24 underscores the need for this kind of prayer: “So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

State your prayers as affirmations:

  • God is my Light and my Salvation (rather than “Be my light …”).
  • The Lord of life walks with me (rather than “Please walk with me”).
  • Healing Presence, you bring me strength (rather than “Please bring me strength”).
  • I am a channel of God’s loving-kindness (rather than “Help me be a channel …”).

We are the gatekeepers of our own minds, monitoring what enters and what exits. Though much enters our minds whether we want it or not, we still have a choice about how to deal with that “content.” Even in the case of traumatic events, once we give proper attention to feelings and wounds, participating in the healing work of God, we can choose to move on. To oversimplify, … our minds are like blank chalkboards, and we hold both the chalk and the eraser.

– Linda Douty
Praying in the Messiness of Life

From pages 50-51 of Praying in the Messiness of Life: 7 Ways to Renew Your Relationship with God by Linda Douty. Copyright© 2011 by Linda Douty. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

Write your own prayers of affirmation. Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

The spirit of the LORD speaks through me, his word is upon my tongue.

2 Samuel 23:2, NRSV

This Week: pray for those suffering from mental illness. 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: Ann Eliza Worchester Robertson (November 19).

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

9 Comments

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted November 19, 2018 12:12 am

    Thanks Linda Douty!

    Love the affirmation “I am a channel of God’s loving kindness!”

    Going to write this affirmation on my 2019 journal.

    I have one that is written on my 2018 journal: I am a child of God!

    Praying for Macy, Julie, Connie and her family, Jill and her parents, Andrea and her family, Robert, Erich, Anneliese, Betsy and her family and everyone here for good health and the joy of being affirmed.

    Blessings!

    • Lou Posted November 19, 2018 7:05 am

      Blessings to you Mary-

      • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted November 19, 2018 7:50 am

        Hey Lou, blessings to you and your family!

        Also keeping you and your family in prayer, Lou!

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted November 19, 2018 7:53 am

      Sorry typo error. I meant Marcy.

  • Jill Posted November 19, 2018 4:34 am

    I believe this verse…Mark 10:24 – is one of the verses my dad is clinging to as he prays and prays for mom. He prays so earnestly for her healing. It is a challenge to interpret these verses, trying to ascertain if it is literal. My interpretation – similar to that of Psalm 37:4 – the desires of our heart must be singularly aligned with His Will. When we are desiring His Will – we can be assured of it coming to pass. How hard it is, at times, to be aware of this – when we seemingly long to see something good come to pass. Oh Father – comfort my dad’s heart in this time of longing…as he cries out to You, may he know that You hear and that You love him and mom. And, that You see the full picture and are in control.
    Father – thank You for this time of mercy – as mom continues to feel well. Yesterday – it was like a step back in time – our time together, sitting around the table playing cards, hootin’ and hollerin’. We got to laughing so hard a couple of times, my sister was grabbing her stomach. Before I left, I went up into my folks’ attic to get all the Christmas decorations down. Mom does such a nice job of tastefully decorating their house – and I hope it can bring her some joy these next few weeks.
    A fantastic sermon at church yesterday morning, from Psalm 103. Bless the Lord, O my soul – and forget not His benefits. He forgives our sins, heals our diseases, redeems us from the pit. Our afflictions may persist, this side of Heaven. But O that will be, glory for me…sweet glory for me – when in Heaven we stand face to face. Come quickly, Lord Jesus.

    • Lou Posted November 19, 2018 7:04 am

      So glad to hear of the belly laughter- there is nothing like those good family times- PTL. I know you like music- a good song by the Afters- called Well Done-I think you might enjoy.

  • Betsy Posted November 19, 2018 7:19 am

    Love this devotion. “We are the gatekeepers of our own minds.” I often have to ask God to help quiet the negatives talk and emotions that can enter my thoughts. He is my strength. Proverbs 3:5 is written in bold in my journal “Trust in the Lord and lean not on your own understanding.”
    Glad to be safely home from my nephew’s wedding. All was beautiful and joyous. My sister, Grace, was surrounded by loved ones and I know she felt that love. We all felt her husband’s presence at the events; he was so proud of his son and daughter-in-law! Thank you all for prayers leading up to the wedding.
    Jill, it sounds so good to hear you report about belly laughs and fun with your family! Praying for a happy holiday season with your mom. Lifting all of you by name this day: Lou, Mary, Robert, Erich, Connie, Julie, Marcy and all who visit. We worship a merciful and powerful God!

  • Julie Posted November 19, 2018 8:09 am

    Most of my affirmations are positive. “For I know the plans I have for you…” and “…God gave us a spirit of strength, love and right thinking…”
    I need only those types of Bible verses to get through all that Iam dealing with.
    Prayers for Marcy and good to hear from her. Prayers for Mary as she cares for Marcy and prayers that insurance struggles result in positive outcomes. Tazzie and Chai love belly rubs and grooming. They love any and all attention. We love to rub their bellies and call them little Buddha bellies.
    Prayers for Lou. So good to see her comments this morning. Praying she is sleeping well.
    Prayers for Mary, Molly and their parents. May they continue to delight in one another.
    Prayers for Jill, Gloria, Larry, Becky and her husband. May the good times they share continue throughout the coming holidays.
    Prayers for Besy, Gloria, and the newlyweds. Thankful for safe travel and a happy day not marred by sorrow over departed loved ones. May the newlyweds be happy together for many years.
    Prayers for Connie. May her health improve and future tests be positive only.
    Prayers for Andrea and her family. May they have a wonderful holiday season of joy.
    Prayers for Robert, Erich, and Anneliesse. May Anneliesse find help at all of her many doctor’s appointments this week.
    Prayers for all UR family and thank you for your prayers

  • robert moeller Posted November 19, 2018 11:54 am

    A very positive and helpful reflection. I often end prayers with Thank You, Lord believing that God has done what I prayed for. There are times when my thoughts and prayers are not what’s best and thus are not fulfilled. God’s ways and thoughts are not ours, but there are times when what we ask for, hope for fit it with God’s plan. Thank You, Lord.

    Ann Robertson studied at St. Johnsbury Academy in St. Johnsbury, VT. That town is not so far from here, when I was in high school we played sports vs St. Johnsbury Academy. I found the VT connection interesting.

    With foreign languages playing a big role in my life I appreciated her efforts to translate the Bible into Creek and her life among Native Americans. Was very fortunate to go on a mission trip to the Onondaga Reservation near Syracuse NY.

    Yes, people with mental help problems need lots of care, understanding, and help. I certainly pray that they receive the help they need. Human medicine lags far behind in treating mental health patients even though much progress has been made. We incarcerate people who need mental health help. Lord have mercy on us.

    Very well said Jill. Amen to your post.
    Thankful for the good news from Betsy and the encouragement for Mary, Marcy, Lou, Julie, and Connie
    Blessings to all of the UR family, thank you for your prayers. Anneliese is having a tough day. No training this week for Erich, It will resume next week.
    Work will begin soon as the ski resort is open and they are skiing.

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