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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’M LEARNING THE IMPORTANCE OF REST. If always on the go, I’m exhausted. I need some quiet time. My physical health depends on it. My emotional health depends on slowing down. To deal with the stress of life, I need a time of calm. My spiritual life depends on it. I can’t make it on my own but depend on my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ.

– J. David Muyskens
Sacred Breath

From page16 of Sacred Breath: Forty Days of Centering Prayer. Copyright © 2010 by J. David Muyskens. 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 do you go to rest? Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

O LORD, remember in David’s favor all the hardships he endured.

Psalm 132:1, 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

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PREPARE FOR ADVENT: Explore how nativity sets, Advent wreaths, candles, carols, Christmas cards, and other traditions help prepare our hearts for the God “who bends low to enter our world and our lives.” The Living Nativity, a new book and eCourse by Larry Peacock, is available now.

12 Comments

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted November 20, 2018 2:33 am

    I go to a quiet place to rest.

    Yes, I have noted the importance of rest. Otherwise we get burnt out.

    Thank you God for time to rest and also quiet places to rest.

    Blessings!

  • robert moeller Posted November 20, 2018 6:14 am

    On my computer in my room I rest in the daily reflection. I also rest in prayer at home and on my walks.

    Thankful for a warm home on chilly days and the resources to make needed repairs on the car. Thankful that Erich’s job will start soon, the ski season is here and with the job also comes a ski pass.

    Prayers for a relative in Arizona with several health concerns, received a card yesterday with the news. They are the remaining relatives of my paternal grandmother’s family. Prayers for Anneliese who had a rough day yesterday and has a very full schedule of treatments and appointments this week.

    Hope to respond again later today, have to get ready to take the car to the garage.

    Blessing and prayers for all, God will meet your needs as God knows and does best.

  • Betsy Posted November 20, 2018 6:32 am

    Hope and pray we all can find some rest in the busy family-filled days to come. I plan to have others help with the Thanksgiving Dinner preparations and not try to do all myself. Grateful for family and friends to gather with this holiday. Getting ready to travel by car to all be together. Traveling mercies to all who will be on the road. Blessings.

  • Jill Posted November 20, 2018 6:44 am

    I am fortunate that my home, with my cat, is a place of quiet, stillness and rest. I am so looking forward to the end of this week – to just be…at home.
    My time in the morning is essential. In stillness – I find Him and we commune together. Thank You, Father – for the rhythm of my life. I sense that the weeks ahead will be less hectic (somehow) and I am ready.

  • Andrea Posted November 20, 2018 7:01 am

    Yes, rest in God, I need that today. A prayerful walk is most restful for me, helping me unwind.

    I am very grateful for the closeness that has grown in my relationship with my daughter. My husband and I just spent several days on the North Shore with her, my son-in-law, and grandson. We had a wonderful time, for which I am so grateful. I still have concerns about her parenting. She is very loving but quite over-protective and smothering, in my mind. I do not say anything. I am just there to help, support, be a role model, and play with the little guy to give them a break. My husband sprained his ankle badly while we were walking on snow and ice at a state park.

    We will be at my brother’s house for Thanksgiving, which I feel ready for but have some trepidation.

    Prayers for dear UR friends to have a safe and blessed holiday weekend.

    With prayers for all who are traveling over Thanksgiving. Wishing all a blessed celebration.

  • Julie Posted November 20, 2018 8:05 am

    I rest here each day. Among God’s words in the scrpture reading, among the wise words and unique perspective shared by the reflection writer, and most importantly, among the insights, updates, kind words and prayers of the UR family.
    Prayers for Mary, Molly, and their parents. May they continue to find joy in one another.
    Prayers for Jill and her family. May Jill, indeed, have a less hectic December.
    Prayers for Robert, Erich, Anneliese, and his Arizona relatives. Prayers for Robert as he runs errands and prayers that Anneliese has a better rest of the week and fiinds help through the many appointments and treatments.
    Prayers for Betsy and her family. Prayers for safe travel and a warm and loving Thanksgiving where everyone pitches in to help.
    Prayers for Andrea and her family. Prayers for Lowell that his ankle heal well and quickly. Prayers for safe travel and a warm and harmonious Thanksgiving.
    I spend Thanksgiving eve traveling to my hometown. My family gathers at my aunts and we all contribute various dishes for the feast. We also help with setup and cleanup. This is how our holidays have been since I was little and my grandmother hosted all holidays and family celebrations.
    Prayers for Marcy and Lucy. May she be in less pain today and God , please help the insurance agency know how important it is to approve all of Marcy’s requests. I know how this is because I have to pay for the Botox for my hands out of pocket.
    Prayers for all of the UR family

  • Julie Posted November 20, 2018 8:08 am

    Oh goodness! Forgive me Connie. Prayers for Connie. I remembered you in my morning prayers, when I prayed for improved health and good future doctor’s reports. Prayers for you again and again. So, I merely neglected to relate here my prayers which I spoke to God earlier today.

    • Connie Posted November 20, 2018 8:42 am

      Oh, you sweet friend. Thank you.

  • c Posted November 20, 2018 8:55 am

    I am resting now-in my UR oasis. Calm, peaceful, surrounded by love.
    I am still awaiting test results that I hope will help me understand what is going on. My steady weight loss concerns me, but some think women like that. Not true when you don’t know why!
    Thankful for:
    A trip for groceries that went well.
    Misplaced new Medicare card, but found it. God helps me, I know, to find things.
    Plans to cook a ham for us Thursday.
    A sermon Sunday about being a witness. The word is deodenus or something like that. Will look it up.
    “Come Ye thankful people come. Raise the song of Harvest Home. All is safely gathered in ‘ere the Winter storms begin.”

    • Connie Posted November 20, 2018 8:56 am

      c=Me

  • robert moeller Posted November 20, 2018 1:59 pm

    Car repairs, help at church, shopping and lunch finished., I’m back.

    I like c=Me under Connie’s name. Love that hymn, hope you are doing well and know more about the tests you’ve had.
    Couldn’t find the word you gave, found dedemus
    transitive – I hand over, surrender, give up, consign.
    I devote, dedicate.
    Glad you have your Medicare card.

    Thank you Julie for your prayers, my Thanksgivings have changed a lot since
    my youth when it was always at my maternal grandmother’s house. Have very fond memories of those days. This year my sin and I will repeat our dinner from last year at an inn here in town.
    Amen to your prayers for the UR family.

    Prayers of thanks for the wonderful time Andrea and Lowell had with Andrea’s daughter, grandson, and son-in-law. Hope Lowell’s ankle heals well and soon. Had a bad sprain some time ago, it took a while to heal, but I am walking well. May there be peace at your Thanksgiving table.

    Safe travel Betsy, you have many recent blessings with your family, may Thanksgiving be another one.

    Thankful that Jill has a safe, quiet, I think I can use the word “holy” place to be with God in the morning. You are blessed.

    Very glad that Mary knows rest from God and benefits from it.

    Prayers for Marcy. Lord met her many and various needs and keep her safe.
    Slowly but surely the smokebox door is being modeled.

    Blessings to all the UR family now and always.

  • Lisa Posted November 23, 2018 5:28 pm

    My backyard walk my dogs

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