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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

[SPIRITUAL] PRACTICES teach us how to move into the center where we come into relationship with God—the ground and source of our being. Living in the center leads us to a quieter, more focused life. The center provides awareness and mystery that allows us to see more deeply. The spiritual practice of centering enhances our ability to see the world in new ways.

—Valerie K. Isenhower, Meditation on Both Sides of the Camera: A Spiritual Journey in Photography (Upper Room Books, 2012)

Today’s Question

Which spiritual practices allow you to see more deeply?  Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”
—John 8:12 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Breathe on me, Breath of God.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room or share it in the comment section.

Something More

Sight Psalms is a daily online photo inspiration from The Upper Room intended to help people reflect on God’s presence in the world and in their lives through the use of images. Subscribe today.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

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

4 Comments

  • Julie Posted October 22, 2019 8:17 am

    I subsribe to the UR Sight Psalm and gazing at the beautiful photos of God’s creation center me and allow me to focus on Him. My mind quiets and I reflect on the words associated with the photo and scene captured and how they relate. I breathe deeply and feel His presence more deeply.
    I have received fabulous news. My insurance has approved the use of a vasodilator for my Renaud’s. The initially denied the request and 2 of my doctors appealed and I found out yesterday, in a very round about manner. I called my one doctor who must have called the script in to the required pharmacy. They sent me an email to accept and process the script which I did and they are shipping it out. God heard my prayers!
    Prayers for April, BJ, Betsy and Lou.
    Prayers for Andrea, Connie and Marcy, for healing and well being.
    Prayers for Jill and her attempt to help me find a spiritual director which I greatly appreciate. I will give you my email if you would like so the information can be relayed. Prayers that your health remain well and Larry continues to be in good health also.
    Prayers for Mary and her family and students, may all be blessed.
    Prayers for Robert and Erich, may both remain healthy and may Erich find a job. I also visited the Train and Trolley Museum near here. I admit it was to see the cat that resided in their entrance and gift shop building. Megan and I took a trolley ride and learned about all the different varieties they have displayed in a large warehouse.
    Prayers, blessings, warm hugs and thank you dear UR faithful family

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted October 22, 2019 8:32 am

      Praise God for all the good news, Julie and thank you for all your prayers for us!

      May you continue to experience more of God’s love and power in your life.

      Lighting a candle helps me to focus on the presence of God when I pray.

      Blessings to all and may we experience a closer walk with God each day!

    • Jill Posted October 24, 2019 4:41 am

      Julie – check FB

  • Jill Posted October 23, 2019 3:22 am

    Being able to quiet myself before Him…merely being in His presence. Staying with a Psalm or other passage for multiple days, even weeks and meditating on a word or verse – coming back to it throughout the day. And, I am trying my hand at journaling again…this time as a prayer journal. It began as a lament journal and is, at times, transitioning into a prayer journal with an emphasis on gratitude.
    Julie – I am thanking God for this answer to prayer – may this vasodilator bring added relief. Yes – He hears – each and every prayer. And He asks us to trust always, even when an answer seems delayed or against our request. Not an easy thing, but He remains faithful.
    At a the praise and worship service on Sunday a young man stood up and spoke for a few moments. He shared that it was 8 years ago to the month that he stood in front of the church and vowed that God was good, despite his wife giving birth to a stillborn baby. He said he was able to recognize that the God was the same, yesterday, today and always. The day before – when he and his wife were anticipating the delivery (of a healthy baby) – they were praising Him. At the hospital, the baby’s heartbeat could not be located and they were told she would have to give birth. He recognized and knew deep within that God remains the same and worthy of our praise. God is beyond our circumstances.

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