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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.

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Today’s Reflection

DURING ADVENT we keep our eyes and our hearts open for the coming Christ. Fearless and hopeless people might huddle in the dark with eyes closed against coming destruction. But we as people of hope excitedly await the dawn of Christmas morning. We stand on tiptoe, peering through the darkness to glimpse the gifts of God. Indeed, we stand up tall and raise our heads, for our redemption is coming near.

Prayer
God, may we watch and wait in joy for the coming of our redemption. Eagerly we pray: Come, Lord Jesus, come. Amen.

– The Upper Room Disciplines 2015

From “Hopeful Waiting” by Sally O. Langford, writer for November 23-29 in The Upper Room Disciplines 2015: A Book of Daily Devotions. Copyright © 2014 by Upper Room Books. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

Pray today’s prayer. Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

“Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory.”
Luke 21:27, NRSV

This Week: Pray for those who are lonely. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.

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.

This week we remember: John Knox (November 24).

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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In order to continue receiving Upper Room Daily Reflections after January 1, 2019, please confirm your subscription here.

8 Comments

  • Jill Posted December 2, 2018 6:11 am

    Yes, come Lord Jesus – come quickly.
    Father – help us to experience Your peace during this season. May we not succumb to the hurriedness, the materialism, the brightness of the world. But seek Your simplicity, Your quiet whisper, Your blessings beyond compare. May we be focused on the coming of Your Son – our Saviour.
    Father – I pray for Your mercy with Lowell’s ongoing ankle issue, for Julie’s hands and the unsteady environment for both her and Megan. Father, more mercy. Thank You for protecting Connie, even tho she fell. I praise You for Robert’s continued good health and ability/availability to help Erich.
    Father – usher us in to this Advent season. Lead us nearer to the manger and nearer to the cross.

  • robert moeller Posted December 2, 2018 6:19 am

    Happy first day of Advent. Not sure when I first understood what Advent was, perhaps I was 5. I remember assembling the Nativity scene. Now many years later I will take out a newer Nativity scene again and slowly it will fill.
    Thank You, Lord, that You enable us to remember Your coming.

    There will be Communion and the beginning of an Advent Bible study today.
    Blessings to all of the UR family as Advent begins. May your faith be strengthened, encouraged, and full of Christ and the Holy Spirit.

  • robert moeller Posted December 2, 2018 6:28 am

    Thankful for Jill’s post and prayers this morning. Prayers for the students, teachers, families, support staff, and administration at the school where Jill teaches as they mourn the passing of students. I lift up Gloria, Larry, Becky, and Jill, Andrea and Lowell, Connie, Betsy, Lou, Mary, Julie and Megan, Rusty and K, and Marcy and Mary that their needs, concerns, well-being, health, and peace of mind be cared for by the Lord. Thank You, Lord.

  • Betsy Posted December 2, 2018 6:54 am

    This is my favorite time of year. Advent is a time of anticipation. I look forward to worship this morning as we light the candle of hope. Give me the strength to keep hoping, Lord.
    I humbly ask for your prayers for my brother. You may remember that he suffers from MS. He has had a major flare up and has been hospitalized. He is now receiving rehab at long term care facility, but he’ll return home in a few weeks. Please pray for continued healing for him. We (all siblings) live in other cities and states, and he doesn’t want to lose his independence.
    Prayers for Connie as she heals from an ankle injury. Emmanuel, quickly come.

  • Julie Posted December 2, 2018 7:59 am

    I have difficulty enjoying this time of year. I cannot attend church due to my fingers and so miss the Advent season candles and teachings. Also, I am more starkly aware of my current life circumstances and how truly bleak I feel.
    Prayers for Jill, her family, and her work family as well. May her mother continue to enjoy this time and may the school body heal and come together to support one another and the injured victim.
    Prayers for Robert, Erich and Anneliese. May Robert enjoy his time in church today and find great enlightenment in the new Bible study.
    Prayers for Betsy and her family, especially her brother. May he continue to improve with his rehab healing and may he continue to be independent.
    Prayers for Connie, may her health improve. I am thankful the fall did not impact her health.
    Prayers for Mary and her family as they enjoy the day together.
    Prayers for Marcy, may her health and circumstances improve.
    Prayers for Andrea and Lowell, may Lowell’s ankle continue to improve.
    Prayers for Lou and her family, April and her family, Shirlee and her daughter, and Rusty and his family.
    Prayers dear UR family for a blessed first Sunday of Advent

    • Connie Posted December 2, 2018 8:08 am

      “In the bleak midwinter” Don’t feel bleak, Julie, as hearts are warm here.

  • Connie Posted December 2, 2018 8:11 am

    Look up, our redemption draweth nigh.
    Thankful for:
    Advent

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted December 2, 2018 5:09 pm

    In this Advent season, may we share hope with the lonely and also what we have with them.

    My mum was lonely last night and requested me to sleep with her. Grateful that she had a sound sleep till morning.

    Praying for Julie’s fingers, Lowell’s ankle, Betsy’s brother, Connie’s speedy recovery, Robert and Erich’s move and job.

    May all be well and have a great week ahead!

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