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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

I AM COMFORTED by the everyday things around me, all things wild and beautiful and beyond understanding. I affirm that they are very good, which does not surprise me. After all, everything that is, from the smallest particle to the largest galaxy, reflects God to us if we pay attention.

—Roberta C. Bondi, Wild Things: Poems of Grief and Love, Loss and Gratitude (Upper Room Books, 2014)

Today’s Question

Where do you see God’s reflection in the everyday things around you?  Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

“God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.”
—Genesis 1:31 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Creator God, As you draw us closer to you, draw us closer to each other.Submit your prayer to The Upper Room .

Something More

Who came up with the idea of using nativity scenes to celebrate Christmas? Many might be surprised to learn that Francis of Assisi, the well-known thirteenth-century saint, is credited with creating the first nativity scene. The Living Nativity: Preparing for Christmas with Saint Francis introduces readers to Saint Francis and his joyous reenactment of the birth of Jesus, complete with a manger and animals. 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

4 Comments

  • Jill Posted November 15, 2019 3:41 am

    In simple acts of kindness, simple moments where another person takes the time to pause at have meaningful conversation. May these things be true of me.
    I came across this quote by Henri Nouwen this morning – I believe it is relevant to a post a few days ago…”Gratitude as a discipline involves a conscious choice. I can choose to be grateful even when my emotions and feelings are still steeped in hurt and resentment. It is amazing how many occasions present themselves in which I can choose gratitude instead of a complaint.” I am tired this morning, thankful it is Friday. May I be very aware of my “choices” today – choosing gratitude, rather than agitation. Choosing to help another, rather than remaining solely focused on myself.
    My dad, sister and brother-in-law are leaving today to drive home. They are expected tomorrow afternoon.

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted November 15, 2019 4:14 am

    Jill, may you be refreshed and recharged!

    I see God’s reflection in people who are edifying and stories of miracle.

    Blessings!

  • Julie Posted November 15, 2019 8:21 am

    I see God’s reflection in the changing seasons which allow His creation to rest and recharge. As a student, I saw it in the cosmos, in the subatomic paricles and the immutable laws of mathematics and physics. I, of course, see it in my kitties, their love and my love for them.
    Tazzie is sitting on my lap, purring and providing his closeness when he knows I need him because of h being home. Things bad in that situation. Meds updat: still no side effects, but also no discernable change. This is difficult to detect at this time anyway as I usually don’t develop wounds until sometime in December or January.
    Prayers for Jill, Becky, Larry and Becky’s husband. May the family members be safe as they travel. May Jill regain her strength this weekend and catch up on her schoolwork.
    Prayers for Mary, may she have no lingering effects from the insect bite and may she and her students have continued success.
    Prayers for Robert, may he have followup mental health care soon.
    Prayers and thank you UR

  • robert moeller Posted November 15, 2019 2:16 pm

    Here in Mount Washington Valley the sky meets mountain tops. It is a natural thing to look upwards and see where they meet. That’s one place. There are others, the trees and rocks that cover the mountain sides are next. Here and there water falls from the mountain sides and brooks, streams, and rivers are produced. Water is life. God is life. I see God in these places.

    Safe travel for Larry, Becky and her husband, hope Jill catches up with school work and is rested when her family arrives, thankful for Mary’s faithful comments. Hope there are positive results for Julie and minimal if any side effects. May peace come to an uncomfortable home environment.
    Thankful that I go back to Boston December 9th.

    A nice fellowship time at breakfast, got some shopping done, and even made some progress on the track road bed.

    Thank You, Lord, for the blessings of this day.

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