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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

WHEN THE HOLY ONE reaches out to us as pilgrim travelers and bids us to join the dance, it is an invitation to live with the knowledge we are never alone. The One Who Loves Us accompanies us through life, wanting nothing more than for us to be whole. This Lover waits patiently for us to release our preoccupations with the things that dim our awareness of an ever-present love. Letting go of those things that cloud our vision, we experience an encounter with Sacred Love. These encounters ignite our passion for life, kindle the flame of creativity within, and invite us into a loving relationship with the Divine Creator.

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

Today’s Question

What do you need to let go of today in order to encounter Sacred Love? Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

“As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.”
—Colossians 3:12 (NRSV)

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)

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6 Comments

  • Jill Posted October 20, 2019 5:26 am

    This excerpt immediately brings to mind Hebrews 12:1 “…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin which so easily entangles us…”. Yes, all those things which hinder us from fully experiencing Him and which keep us from fully engaging in His Kingdom activity. What I have come to realize is that many of these things can be seen as “good things”. But when they take THE PLACE of Christ on the throne of my heart – things are out of balance. This is one of the things I alluded to yesterday – in His gracious timing – He brought things to my attention. Things which needed to be re-ordered. Good things He had brought into my life, but I had let them take too much priority.
    Susan – I humbly thank you for your comments yesterday. I have come to realize that while I don’t “traditionally” journal consistently – quite a bit of what flows out here could be journaling. If it is in anyway helpful to others – may He alone be praised.
    Julie – have you considered seeking out a spiritual director in your area? I would certainly think there would be many to choose from in your big metro location.
    Dad and I enjoyed our time together yesterday. While we were riding to lunch – I asked him if it would be difficult going to the restaurant. He said no. I told him I didn’t want to be insensitive. He said he is aware that it is a place we used to go to together and he doesn’t want to stop going there. Just another step in the healing process. Definitely resonates with me. Many of the thoughts which I encounter don’t bring sadness, but rather just an awareness.
    Good Sunday morning blessings to all.

  • Robert Moeller Posted October 20, 2019 6:22 am

    I find today’s question very hard to answer. I am sure there is something I should give up or do. I need guidance. I’m human and thus not perfect.

    Jill wrote,”
    This excerpt immediately brings to mind Hebrews 12:1 “…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin which so easily entangles us…”. Yes, all those things which hinder us from fully experiencing Him and which keep us from fully engaging in His Kingdom activity. What I have come to realize is that many of these things can be seen as “good things”. But when they take THE PLACE of Christ on the throne of my heart – things are out of balance.”
    I find this very helpful, I need to examine my heart.
    Have had many joys over the last couple days. I am very thankful for them.
    Church today, I’m very happy for that.

    Prayers for Marcy and Julie, may your health and well being be in God’s hands. There you are safe and well.

    God’s peace, mercy, grace, and love to all. Thank You, Lord.

  • Julie Posted October 20, 2019 7:51 am

    As I do not even attend church services, I recognize that there is much for me to cast aside for better worship discipline. But are health limitations a true “good thing” or one that lumes out of proportion in my head. I also struggle with the fear of rejection, due to the health issues and past encounters.
    Prayers for Jill and thank you for your suggestion. I had never heard of a spiritual director until your posts, how do I find one?
    Prayers for Robert and Erich. Prayers of thanksgiving for Robert’s many joys, both recent and those in the past, may they continue.
    Prayers for April, BJ, Betsy and Lou and their families.
    Prayers for well being for Andrea, Connie, and Marcy.
    Prayers for Mary, our pastor who preaches of joy.
    Prayers, blessings, warm hugs and thank you dear UR faithful

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted October 21, 2019 6:52 pm

      Thanks Julie!

      May God bless you abundantly!

  • Cindi Acree Posted October 20, 2019 9:47 am

    I need to let go of faulty old beliefs from childhood that no longer serve me in my current stage in life as I prepare to change the focus of my career.

  • Andrea Posted October 20, 2019 12:23 pm

    I need to let go of self-criticism, a negative voice instilled in me in my childhood (long ago) by my parents. I need to fall, and fall, and fall again, into the unconditional love offered by our loving Shepherd, Jesus. From 2 Samuel 24: 14 – “Let us fall into the hand of the LORD, for his mercy is great.”

    Julie, I treasure your faithful comments and consistent prayers for us. I pray you will feel God’s love in your life, the same love you exemplify to us every day. I believe you do not realize what a gift you are to this circle of UR prayer warriors. I treasure Jill and Robert’s strong, faithful witness as they each share a bit of their life’s journey. And those who comment less frequently – Connie, Mary, Lou, April, and others – it is a joy to visit friends here, to pray together for one another, and to pray for those for whom prayers are requested. Wishing all a blessed day.

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