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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.

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

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Today’s Reflection

GOD OF THE HEAVENS and the earth,
We need your peace.
Send your gentle, fierce Spirit
to all the war-torn lands
and broken relationships.
Come, God of peace.
We need you today. Amen.

– Beth A. Richardson
Child of the Light

From page 93 of Child of the Light: Walking through Advent and Christmas by Beth A. Richardson. Copyright © 2005 by Beth A. Richardson. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

Pray today’s prayer. Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

In reply John said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.”

Luke 3:11, NRSV

This Week: Pray for those mourning a loved one. 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: Thomas Merton (December 10).

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.

5 Comments

  • Jill Posted December 15, 2018 7:02 am

    Yes, Father, may Your gentle Spirit come to broken relationships – may the strife cease, may compassion be extended. May it begin with me. This is the needed gift of Christmastime.
    April – it seems that you and your family are embodying the spirit of Christmas well. The gift of time – so precious, such memories forged. May you all be deeply blessed by this time together with each other.
    Father, as we draw near to the manger, draw ever nearer to us. Yes, come Lord Jesus, come quickly. We look expectantly to Your coming.

  • robert moeller Posted December 15, 2018 8:02 am

    Yes. Lord, this is true everyday. We need You and Your peace.

    Prayers that there is a way to help Erich’s sensitive skin so it will heal and he can go to work. I do think minerals in the water have an effect, one of the reasons we want to move.

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted December 15, 2018 8:23 am

      Maybe Erich can try natural aloe vera soap. I think you can order online or just apply aloe vera gel on his skin.

      Blessings to all!

      May God bless Erich with a speedy recovery!

  • Julie Posted December 15, 2018 8:03 am

    I, of course, live daily with a person with whom I have a contentious relationship. Unfortionately, it is not up to me to change this relationship. So, I am at the mercy of another’s capriciousness.
    Prayers for Jill and her family and gloria’s health.
    Prayers for Robert, Erich and Anneliese and their health and safety.
    Prayers for Connie and her family and their quiet and loving life.
    Prayers for Betsy, her brother and all her family who support him as needed.
    Prayers for Andrea and Lowell and their family. May Lowell’s ankle heal quickly.
    Prayers for Mary and her family and her Christmas preparations.
    Prayers for Lou and her family as they enjoy Advent together.
    Prayers for Marcy and gratefulness for her post.
    Prayers for Aprila and her family who have discovered the truely important aspects of life, togetherness.
    Prayers for all of the UR family.

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted December 15, 2018 8:25 am

      Thanks dear Julie for your prayers.

      God places difficult people in our lives to help us grow.

      Blessings!

      May the peace of God be with us!

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