X

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

WHETHER DRAMATIC and sensational or still and small, stories that allow us to recognize sacred places do so by alerting us to God’s presence in the here and now. Once we understand that God can enter our lives in any place and at any time, we become aware of the Divine in the present moment.

—Michael E. Williams, Spoken into Being: Divine Encounters Through Story (Upper Room Books, 2017)

Today’s Question

Where are the places you most readily notice God’s presence?  Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

“Then Jacob woke from his sleep and said, “Surely the LORD is in this place—and I did not know it!”
—Genesis 28:16 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

I love to tell the story
For those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting
To hear it like the rest.

From “I Love to Tell the Story” by
Katherine Hankey, The United Methodist Hymnal, No. 156

Submit your prayer to The Upper Room or share it in the comment section.

Something More

During Advent we think about a wondrous mystery: that God chose to become human and lived among us. Rediscover The Wondrous Mystery this Advent.

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

7 Comments

  • Robert Moeller Posted October 31, 2019 6:37 am

    I notice God’s presence in the actions of others and in the beauty of creation.
    Kind and caring acts are God’s love at work. God is the greatest artist, all creation shows it.

    The needed window for the 1953 version of the station is in place, and the roof is fitted. Thankful for that. It looks as I saw and experienced it.

    Hope to check in this afternoon and catch up. Blessings and prayers.

  • Bj Posted October 31, 2019 7:40 am

    Good morning, UR family! Prayers for your well being on this this. May God bless you and keep you. I John 5:14 reads, “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:” I feel God’s presence while praying. I feel God’s presence through communication with this UR group. Yes, He loves us. Yes, I know we love each other. If we didn’t love each other, we wouldn’t post, lest known to even read the UR reflections. I feel God’s presence with just the thoughts and concerns. Julie, I even feel God’s presence when you mention me by name in your prayers. To others, just when you say the word, UR family, I know God is real. May each of you have a blessed October 31, 2019 day. I love you all and God loves you more!

    • Bj Posted October 31, 2019 7:48 am

      God specializes in impossibilities!

  • Julie Posted October 31, 2019 8:18 am

    I agree wholeheartedly with BJ, I feel God among these faithful followers and posters. God is love and we do indeed love one another. We hurt when we read posts of another’s pain and rejoice with another’s joy. I agree with Robert that God is also visible in creation. I spent time with Megan yesterday marvelling at a cricket that had attached itself to our screen door. How beautiful its color and shape were.
    Prayers for Robert and thegift of hobbies and completing goals.
    Prayers for BJ and her continued posts of scripture. You are a font of verses and I am envious of your intimate knowledge of scripture.
    Prayers for Mary and her students and in particular the one that passed his exam.
    Prayers for Jill and her sister and Larry and family celebrations with joy as well as melancholy.
    Prayers for Andrea, April, Betsy, Connie, Lou, and Marcy.
    Prayers, blessings, warm hugs and be safe this Halloween UR family

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted November 1, 2019 4:50 am

      Thank you Julie and everyone for your prayers.

      When I look up the sky, I feel God’s presence, when I pray and worship God, when I get affirmation or compliments, I always give thanks that God is so so good and faithful, His presence is always with us to inspire and encourage us.

      Thank you God for your presence and love!

      Blessings!

  • Susan Cox Posted October 31, 2019 6:25 pm

    I almost ALWAYS feel the presence of God inside the sanctuary at my church. I felt Him the very first I visited Harvest Church in Dothan, Al almost 6 years ago. I love to go inside the sanctuary alone and just sit quietly and talk to God.

  • Jill Posted November 1, 2019 4:10 am

    I experience His presence easily in nature. I experience it through the touch of another. I experience it in prayer with another, one person in particular. Holy moments.
    Dad has c-diff. I would appreciate your prayers for him. Somehow the doctor did not see this as a barrier to him traveling to Florida yesterday, by plane. Fortunately, he was without incident on the plane and is now safely down there with my sister and brother-in-law. My sister will care for him very well, of this I have no doubt. Hopeful that the strong antibiotics he is on will kick in quickly and my sister and brother-in-law will not be infected.
    Honestly, I am grateful for this few week reprieve. The intensity of my time with dad can, at times, be very wearying. Of course I am grateful for him, for our conversations, for our time together. But – I need to re-charge, to have my space for a bit – and I am trusting God to restore and renew me.
    Come quickly, Lord Jesus.

Add Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *