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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

PARTICIPATING in the creative act helps us to see ourselves as we are and as we might become. Like prayer, the creative act draws us into the authentic life that awaits us and into our fulfillment in God. Creativity, an essential tool for shaping the soul, provides a pathway to the fierce truth of our life. Those traveling the spiritual road who yearn for the healing of life’s deepest hurts, the fulfillment of immeasurable longings, or the profound peace found only in life with God need all their creativity to complete the journey.

—Karla M. Kincannon, Creativity and Divine Surprise: Finding the Place of Your Resurrection (Upper Room Books, 2005)

Today’s Question

What creative practice might point you to truth today?  Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

“Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”
—Psalm 25:5 (NIV)

Prayer for the Week

Holy One, Help me discover my God-given creativity and find the sacred in each God-given moment.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room or share it in the comment section.

Something More

Which Advent study is right for you this year? Take our Advent quiz to find out.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.

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8 Comments

  • Edy Posted October 15, 2019 6:32 am

    I have a Bible that has coloring pages with the truth written in verses that I color and it is also a journaling bible. I try to do as often as possible.

  • Bj Posted October 15, 2019 6:51 am

    Good morning, the UR family. It says in 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” Thank You, Lord. It is indeed a blessing to be among the daily reflection today. I truly love this group that prays and stays together. By the way, it is of the Lord’s Blessings that I was able to live to be 61 years old. I am in the middle of 2 sisters under me and 2 sisters over me. The 2 sisters over me has deceased. Neither live to get over the age of 56. One was 47 and the other was 55. My one brother decreased in 2017 at the age of 63. As of this day I still pity my neices and nephews whose parents has passed. It truly is of God’s grace and mercy that has brought me through. May each of you have a blessed!

  • Bj Posted October 15, 2019 7:03 am

    Julie, it was so good to know that you and Megan enjoy yourselves outside of home. I have always loved to see people socializing. I have never took the time. I admire Jill with the times she has with her father. I do remember the best of times she had with her mother. Surely Robert waited until he moved to another new home, and has slowed down getting about. He and his son was the best of friends. My click 7 days a week is visiting my 84 year old mother. She is so spoiled. She doesn’t like to go places. Love y’all!

  • Jill Posted October 15, 2019 7:28 am

    I don’t see myself as being creative, but I also don’t see this as a hindrance to my spiritual well being or my life in general. Maybe I over-emphasize creativity as being artistic. I am open to new experiences, though I tend to cling to my ritualistic, scheduled life. I believe I am receptive and obedient to movement of the Spirit.
    Julie – I smile to myself each Sunday when I notice you “missing” from this UR spot – for I imagine you are spending time with Megan. I am so glad the both of you have that time together.
    Off schedule again here – which you might imagine causes me to feel off kilter. But – trying to hang in there and “roll with it”.
    A beautiful sun this morning to begin to warm the crisp, Fall air. Colors still seem to be lagging, or maybe I am over-anticipating the timing of things. Hard to believe it is the middle of October.
    Warm Fall blessings this day to each one who stops by here.

  • Robert Moeller Posted October 15, 2019 7:44 am

    I have no idea what creative practice might lead me to the truth today. That’s a tough question. Need some help with that.

    A beautiful day here, sunny, in the mid 40s.

    Bible study this morning, need to have breakfast and get ready.
    Prayed iu the early morning hours for the UR family and others. Thank You, Lord.

  • Julie Posted October 15, 2019 8:28 am

    The only thing that came to mind was exactly what Edy described. I have seen jounaling and Bibles and coloring books that are based on scriptures. Though on further thought I can see how prayer beads and those walking paths that invite slow contemplation would also be creative. However, I feel as Jill does, that I am not creative as I also see it more as artistic. Likewise, I have not felt this lacking hindered my spiritual growth.
    Prayers for Edy and her family, may she find time to color and journal.
    Prayers for BJ and her mother who are their own social network.
    Prayers for Jill and Larry. I have wondered if anyone recognized my absences. It is nice to know that someone does and that you even recognize why and how special this time is for me. Thank you Jill.
    Prayers for Robert and his busy social calendar which often centers around spiritual endeavors.
    Prayers for healing for Andrea, Connie and Marcy.
    Prayers for Mary, may she shine her unique light to many today and may she be an example of creativity for the rest of us.
    Prayers, blessings, warm hugs and thank you so much UR family

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted October 16, 2019 12:58 am

      Thanks Julie and everyone for your prayers!

      I love to explore parks. The flowers, plants, grass, sky, clouds, etc. reveal to me what a great and awesome God we have!

      Blessings!

  • Bj Posted October 15, 2019 3:46 pm

    I been noticing how some of our regulars are late posting and for their own reasons did not post at all. But, we still keep one another in our prayers. I know it is good to mention the person’s that you are praying for name, that is why I say the UR family. I don’t wanna omit no one out.

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