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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

JOURNEYING THROUGH our days without Christ as our companion results in a dark and joyless life. But when the beams of God’s mercy break through the clouds of this gloomy world, the illumination of the Son warms our hearts and cheers our eyes. The darkness cannot overcome this light, for Jesus is the true and only Light, the Sun of Righteousness, the Dayspring, the Daystar who arises in our hearts with healing in his wings.

—Paul Wesley Chilcote, A Life-Shaping Prayer: 52 Meditations in the Wesleyan Spirit (Upper Room Books, 2008)

Today’s Question

How has God’s light illuminated your darkness?  Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.”
—John 1:5 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might. Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room or share it in the comment section.

Something More

Blue Christmas: Devotions of Light in a Season of Darkness, an Advent devotional book by Todd Outcalt, reminds us that even in our darkest times, God offers us hope and comfort if we are willing to bring our deepest fears into the light of God’s love. Discover more.

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

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted November 4, 2019 5:03 am

    When I’m afraid or anxious, I read God’s word which is a lamp unto my feet and light into my path.

    Blessings!

    May Erich enjoy his new job and all be well!

    May Jill be refreshed and recharged!

    May Julie, Lou, Robert, Connie and Andrea be filled with God’s blessings, love, joy and peace!

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted November 4, 2019 5:18 am

      Unto my path

  • Lou Posted November 4, 2019 6:12 am

    Thank you Mary.

    Yes when I am weary, frightened or alone- God’s word sees me through. I was feeling especially down this weekend. After Sunday school and all saints day service which is one of my favorite days in the church- I felt especially lifted up. I especially remembered my father who was a strong loyal family man who was dedicated to God. I never for one moment questioned if my dad loved me. He wasn’t perfect, he wasn’t warm and fuzzy and affectionate, but I could always count on him and I know he loved me with out a doubt. My heart aches for my own children who do not feel that from their own earthly father. I can only hope that they feel the great love from their Heavenly Father as I did driving home from church yesterday filled with the memories of all of the saints that have come before and all the saints living – especially those I closely follow here each day.
    Thank you Lord for the many blessings you have given us especially the love of family and friends. Prayers for all who come here today.

  • Robert Moeller Posted November 4, 2019 7:36 am

    God’s light has made me resilient. Over and over I am enabled in many aspects of life, physical and emotional health, finances, housing, transportation, and even my hobby. I made it through a heart attack, stress,
    financial problems, have been able to provide transportation, and was able to find and build a second station model after the first one was damaged beyond repair. Thank You, Lord.

    Lou, my Dad sounds like yours, he had a hard time dealing with us, but we knew very well he loved us. All Saints Day this year was better than it often is.
    Hearing Fill My Cup, Lord and having dumpling soup helped a lot. Thankful there is some soup left over.

    Thanks Mary for your prayers for Erich, I too am hopeful that this job will work out.

    Snow showers coming later this week and next week. Hope our new roof is installed before real snow comes.

    Dear UR family, you are in my prayers.

  • Julie Posted November 4, 2019 8:19 am

    I was led to this kind, caring group in the midst of turmoil and health issues. God led me out of solitary darkness to fellowship which illuminated the dark corners of my isolation and loneliness.
    I remembered my grandparents on All Saints Day. They loved me unconditionally and my grandfather was a quiet representative of religious devotion. My grandmother did not attend church but was a giving and devoted individual.
    Prayers for Mary and her light which shines brightly, may she illuminate the lives of all she meets.
    Prayers for Lou and her continued struggles with her ex.
    Prayers for Robert and Erich. May Erich be succussful in his new job and may Robert enjoy his memory soup.
    Prayers for Jill and Larry, may Larry recover quickly and may Jill spend time with friends and doing her favorite things.
    Prayers and thank you UR faithful

  • daniel J Collins Posted November 4, 2019 10:31 pm

    No matter what life throws at me I will always have God’s light and hope to guide me and to support me.

  • Jill Posted November 5, 2019 3:40 am

    The light He has brought to me is His unsurpassing peace. The darkness of unsettledness subsided and His peace now reigns. Glory, Hallelujah – what freedom. Thank You, Father.
    A very busy day at school yesterday, didn’t seem out of the ordinary. But I was whipped when I got home. Very early to bed and feeling much better this morning. No students today, as it is voting day. So, staff will have meetings throughout the day. This, too, in its own way can be exhausting. I would rather be teaching. “Instructional Improvement Day” – sigh.
    Heard from Dad yesterday – still not back to normal, but seeing improvement. Surely the warmer temps and care of my sister is helping. Glad for this change of scenery for him. Thank you, UR family, for keeping him in your prayers.

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