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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

WE STAND on the cusp of a new year with the renewed assurance of God’s presence, which we celebrated in the season of Advent. We do not face a new year or a new day alone; through the miracle of the incarnation, we affirm that God is with us, even now.

Through the Holy Spirit, God fills our hearts and lives each day; and as followers of God, we also manifest God’s presence on the earth.

God leads us to act with love and compassion toward others, making God’s loving touch known to all around us during this and every year as we enact the reign of God on earth today.

Disciplines

From “Epiphany’s Light,” reading for January 1, 2010 by Anna Lee in The Upper Room Disciplines 2010: A Book of Daily Devotions. Copyright © 2009 by Upper Room Books. All rights reserved. Used by permission. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

May the Holy Spirit fill you, that you may be Christ’s presence in the world. Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.

Isaiah 60:1, NRSV

This Week: Pray for joyous new beginnings. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.

Did You Know?

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This week we remember: Simeon Stylites (December 27).

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

Sponsored by Upper Room Ministries ®. Copyright © 2019 | PO Box 340004 | Nashville, TN 37203-0004 | USA

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10 Comments

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted December 31, 2018 5:43 am

    Yes, may the Holy Spirit fill us that we may be Christ’s presence to the world!

    Wishing everyone a very happy new year filled with God’s blessings and favor!

    • Andrea Posted December 31, 2018 11:27 am

      It is just past midnight in Singapore on January 1. Happy New Year to you, Mary, our far-away sister in miles, but close in heart.

      • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted December 31, 2018 12:38 pm

        Thank you dear Andrea!

        May you and your family enjoy your new year celebration!

        Blessings!

  • Jill Posted December 31, 2018 6:28 am

    Thankfully, we do have the absolute assurance of His Presence with us, wherever we go. Father, might this enhance our boldness. Might our roots grow deeper this year, our trust – more full and complete, according to Your will.
    Father, thank You for fellow sojourners, whose light continues to shine, amidst difficulties and joys. May we stay connected to You – the ultimate Source of all.

  • April Posted December 31, 2018 6:46 am

    Amen and Amen to what Mary and Jill have written for this last day of 2018 and beginnings of 2019!
    Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place
    I can feel His mighty power and His Grace
    I can feel the brush of Angels wings
    I see glory on each face
    Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place!
    Blessings dear UR Family as we end this year and greet the next.

    • Connie Posted December 31, 2018 7:58 am

      I love that song. New Year Blessings, dear April.

  • Julie Posted December 31, 2018 8:06 am

    Yes, may God’s love and light shine through me and enclose all I encounter with His love.
    What a group of loving and giving followers we have found here. We are truly God’s family, supporting and encouraging and sharing in joys with one another. God bless each and every one of the UR family in the year ahead.

  • Connie Posted December 31, 2018 8:08 am

    Arise, Shine.
    My 2019 prayer: Create in me a clean heart, oh God, and do not take Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of my salvation. Thank you, Jesus.
    Thankful for:
    The hope of a new year.
    After Christmas plans fell through, a restoration of some sort and bonding.
    All the good things that happened in 2018.
    That the glory of the Lord has risen upon us.

    Blessings to all….and ten thousand beside.

  • Andrea Posted December 31, 2018 11:24 am

    See, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare. Before they spring forth I tell you of them. Isaiah 42:9.

    Dear UR friends, Happy New Year, just a dozen or so hours away, depending on where you live. Marcy, I miss you and pray for you and Mary. Prayers, cyber-hugs, and wishing all abundant blessings in 2019.

  • robert moeller Posted December 31, 2018 7:12 pm

    For me this reflection defines what Jesus did for us and how we can thus be God’s hands to others. I’m very thankful for what God did for me and hope I am a faithful follower doing what God has asked me to do. I pray that all of you are filled with the Holy Spirit and thus are also God’s hands.

    Have had a long busy day, but all has gone well.

    Prayers that the New Year will be full of the Holy Spirit for you and that you will be blessed with God’s love. Good health and God’s peace be yours. Thank You, Lord.

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