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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

WE KNOW WE SHOULD read scripture and pray daily. We know this because we’ve been taught that spiritual disciplines are an important part of a Christian’s life. We know this because it keeps us centered and whole. Most of all, we know that prayer is important because we hunger for God’s company.

In spite of our hunger, we sometimes put off until tomorrow—or the day after—to begin daily prayer and study. It’s not quite intentional. We do desire to grow closer to God. But we procrastinate all the same. We want to seize (and be seized by) our relationship with God—but sometimes those intentions end up on our “tomorrow” list. …

Begin—or begin again—today. Seize this time, now, to be with God.

– Helen Neinast
Foreword
The Upper Room Disciplines 2010: A Book of Daily Devotions

From the Foreword by Helen Neinast, pages 11-12 of 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

Are you committing or recommitting to a spiritual practice in the new year? Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

From oppression and violence he redeems their life; and precious is their blood in his sight.

Psalm 72:14, 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?

Daily Reflections is sent compliments of The Upper Room. Please join our family of generous donors who make this possible. Give today.

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

12 Comments

  • Trackback: The United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tennessee, United States from Monday, 31 December 2018 through Sunday, 6 January 2019 for Wednesday, 2 January 2019 “Daily Practice” – Global Methodist Nazarene Lamb's Hope
  • Jill Posted January 2, 2019 6:49 am

    I am hoping to incorporate more reading Scripture as I pray…to really take my time with it, to be more “tuned in”. My wandering mind is distractible, and I desire to see improvements in this area.
    My mother returns to the oncologist today. It was supposed to be last Friday, which is why I planned my trip to begin on Saturday. But the doctor’s office called and changed the appt time. Dad insisted that I go ahead with my travel plans. I am praying for peace, good listening and honesty during this visit. My sister will be going with them.
    I am so grateful for my dad’s strength. For how he so unselfishly loves and cares for mom.

  • Betsy Posted January 2, 2019 7:00 am

    I hope to pick up my daily practice of journaling again. Noting prayer needs and scriptures that have touched me was a good way for me to reflect.

    As we all begin our routines again after the holidays, help us, Lord, to keep our eyes on you. Blessings.

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted January 2, 2019 7:59 am

    As usual, my morning schedule includes spending time with God and praying for others. I have a journal for prayers and another for scriptures and quotes that help me to apply and grow spiritually or things I have committed to do.

    Blessings to all!

  • Julie Posted January 2, 2019 8:08 am

    I, too, hope to journal this year. I used to do this and found it very therapeutic. I started yesterday and I am writing as though I am speaking to God. I hope to look over it at the end of the year and see how He has worked in my life.
    Prayers for Jill and Gloria as she sees the oncologist, may she react positively no matter the news.
    Prayers for Betsy andher friend Kathy and her two sons as they mourn.
    Prayers for Mary and a joy filled year.
    Prayers for Andrea and Lowell and her sister in law, Marcy and her heart issues.
    Prayers for Lou and may all her children have safge travels home.
    Prayers for Connie and her attention to all the little things, like birds.
    Prayers for April and her family.
    Prayers for Robert and Erich, may God guide them during their move.
    Prayers for Marcy and Mary and Lucy. Tazzie was sitting on my lap last night earnestly “making biscuits.” That’s what we call it when they need us. He also drools when he is very content.
    Prayers and blessings dear UR family

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted January 2, 2019 8:36 am

      May dear Julie persevere in journaling and be blessed as she looked back at the end of the year how God is working on her and blessing her.

      Thank you Julie for typing out your prayers and praying for all of us!

      May God bless you abundantly!

      • Connie Posted January 2, 2019 9:18 am

        God, please protect our dear Julie in this new year. Let all things fall into place in a good way for her. Amen

  • robert moeller Posted January 2, 2019 8:30 am

    I would very much like to go beyond the scripture that comes with the reflection. It has been a while since I read all the way through the Bible. Bible study at my church is now and then and not many come. Our most recent study asked a lot of challenging questions and we sort of found answers. We concluded that yes, God speaks to us through the Bible, but that doesn’t mean there are no errors with historical facts and information.

    Thankful that the first day of the New Year went well. I know there will be problems, Jesus said we would have them, but with Jesus we can make our way through them. I know that to be true and that is very reassuring.

    Prayers for Joan a church member who after what seemed to be a lot of progress is now rapidly losing her battle with cancer. Thankful that she had some better times because of the treatments.

    Prayers for Marcy and Mary. Gloria, and Julie as they deal with medical issues. I pray too that the help Marcy has continues and that Julie has answers from her lawyer so that her current situation can be vastly improved.
    God’s blessings all the UR family, thankful that God is always with us.

    Taxes, render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, improving my credit rating since debts are paid, and making preparations to move to the town we have found are my worldly priorities. Asking for God’s wisdom and guidance in all this.

    Put God first and all these things will be given to you.

  • Connie Posted January 2, 2019 9:29 am

    Everything has changed so much for me, but I re-commit myself to striving to get it back to the way it was…..at least that which is in my power to do so.
    The rest I will rely on God.
    Thankful for:
    Sleeping until 6:30- unheard of lately.
    A drama-free few days. I will enjoy it while it lasts!
    Nice time with the S/Granddaughters last week. They are delightful young women.
    Hoping for a good report for Jill’s Mother.
    Thinking of Robert and Erich…may good things come their way in this year of 2019.

  • Katherine Ennis Posted January 2, 2019 10:29 am

    I am going to commit myself, to read my bible more and to pray daily. I need to be a better Christian.

  • Barbara Posted January 2, 2019 6:44 pm

    Thank you for today’s devotion, I so needed to be reminded again. I have been in the driest desert of my own making, for a number of months now. Even Advent and Christmastide haven’t given me the jump start I need. Prayers that I will come to the end of this spell and have the joy of the Lord again.

    • Connie Posted January 3, 2019 8:50 am

      May God restore to you “the joy of your salvation”. This has been my prayer also. We can travel the desert path together!

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