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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

LIGHT AND DARKNESS offer rich metaphors for our life in Christ. Light is God’s love that breaks through the darkness of cruelty and injustice. Light is Christ meeting us in the darkness of human poverty and need. Light is the glow we emit that illumines the road for all who walk near us. …

Lord, as nature lights our vision of you, may we light the vision of others. Amen

— J. Marshall Jenkins
“Following the Light, Being the Light”
The Upper Room Disciplines 2019: A Book of Daily Devotions

From “Following the Light, Being the Light” by J. Marshall Jenkins, page 16 in The Upper Room Disciplines 2019: A Book of Daily Devotions. Copyright © 2018 by Upper Room Books. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

In what ways are you illuminating the road for those around you? Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

For he delivers the needy when they call, the poor and those who have no helper.

Psalm 72:12, 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.

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Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

14 Comments

  • Trackback: The Upper Room Daily Reflections from The United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tennessee, United States from Monday, 31 December 2018 through Sunday, 6 January 2019 for Thursdsy, 3 January 2019 “Light Breaks Through” – Global Methodi
  • Hilda Posted January 3, 2019 6:10 am

    By delivering Meals on Wheels to those in need of a warm meal.

    • Connie Posted January 3, 2019 8:46 am

      My daughter delivered Meals on Wheels and it brought such joy to her. God bless you, Hilda.

  • Jill Posted January 3, 2019 6:25 am

    Father – may Your light break through to Barbara. May she sense Your Presence even in the midst of her desert experience. Shine Your light ever more strongly on Julie, increasing her faith and hope in a most difficult situation in her home. May Your light pierce the darkness of Marcy’s health struggles. May there be fresh light from You for Connie, amidst a sea of change.
    Yes, indeed, You are with us always.
    Father – may I be a consistent beacon for You, sharing Your love, sharing kindness, reaching out to others.
    Mom would not speak to me about the doctor’s appointment. I did speak with my sister – and she seemed to think that the doctor was more deliberate in his examination of mom and wants to see her again in 6 weeks. He mentioned the possibility of doing more bloodwork, but realizes that might send mom into a tailspin – so left the ball in her court. My sister thinks he must have felt something in the exam to bump up her next appointment to 6 weeks as opposed to 2 months. Of course, we are all just guessing, because no one is able to ask specific questions. I find it incredibly frustrating, yet we all fall in line and continue to walk precariously on egg shells.

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted January 3, 2019 7:52 am

    May your light break through everyone of us here, O God!

    May your light break through my students and their struggle.

    May your light break through those who are homeless and jobless.

    May your light break through those who are sick and frustrated.

    May your light break through those who are old and lonely.

    May your light break through those from broken families and broken relationships

    Blessings,!

    Jill, keeping you in prayer. May your situation improve and may God’s light break through your frustrations!

  • Julie Posted January 3, 2019 7:57 am

    I echo Jill’s prayers. Lord shine your light and love on Barbara leading her back to You as she is yearning for You.
    May God shine his light on Gloria and her family and illumine the way forward.
    Light up Marcy’s life, Lord, with Your love and benevelance.
    Shine on Connie, bringing joy to her once again.
    Illuminate the path forward for Robert and Erich so they follow your plan as they move.
    Continue to shine through Mary who is a living beacon of your love.
    May Andrea and Lowell have Your healing light as they go to the doctor.
    May Betsy’s family see Your light shine from the new baby that is soon to arrive.
    Shine into Lou’s dark nights and fill her with love displacing the fear.
    Shine on me dear God. Light my way forward through this dark time. Let Your light be a beacon guiding on the path you have planned for my life. May Your light envelope me and protect me from all harm.
    Prayers and blessing dear UR family

  • Connie Posted January 3, 2019 8:44 am

    All of your lights have shone here today. I have a “flicker” that will soon become a beacon….hopefully. I think my “pity party” needs to cease!
    Thankful for:
    A bright sunrise.
    My Reflection Friends.
    A new year and a clean slate.
    Thank you, Jesus, for all your blessings. Watch over us this year and draw us even closer to you. Amen

  • Andrea Posted January 3, 2019 9:09 am

    Blessings to all this New Year. Jill, I pray your mother will receive strength and the peace of acceptance. I am confident you are the love and light of Jesus Christ for her.

    Robert, may God give you strength for the changes ahead and direct Erich to an excellent employment situation.

    Julie, thank you for your prayers. I pray the New Year will bring you relief of stress from your current living situation, a satisfying job, and much improved health.

    Marcy, I pray for improvement in your health, increased strength, and ready access to resources and support.

    Connie, I pray for many more stress-free days for you and your husband, relief of concerns that weigh on you, and gentler Mondays.

    Mary, I pray you have continued fulfillment in your new pursuits and I pray for your parents well-being.

    Betsy, I pray for your continued fulfillment through church activities, for your family, and for your brother and sister.

    Barbara, may you find springs of water in the desert and be refreshed.

    For all who visit UR, may the light of Jesus Christ shine brightly on you and give you warmth and strength.

    As the days slowly grow longer and lighter, may the lift of Jesus grow in our hearts and may we reflect that light to the world.

    • Andrea Posted January 3, 2019 9:11 am

      Correction: For all who visit UR, may the LIGHT of Jesus Christ shine brightly on you and give you warmth and strength.

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  • Elisa Coonrod Posted January 20, 2019 3:24 pm

    This reflection is timely. Thank you. I am so blessed. And I am so weary watching the many innocent people being hurt when used as pawns of the government.

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