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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 INTIMACY is rooted in solitude, you can become persons to each other—persons in the sense of [the Latin] personare, which means sounding through. Then intimacy allows us to sound through a truth wider than we can grasp, a peace deeper than we can fathom, a love greater than we can contain.

—Henri J.M. Nouwen, The Wondrous Mystery: An Advent Reader (Upper Room Books, 2019)

Today’s Question

How often do you allow yourself to seek solitude? What gifts can solitude offer you?  Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

“But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
—Matthew 6:6 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room .

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Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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4 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted November 21, 2019 7:29 am

    I think my walks are a search for solitude. Out in the woods, on the path, by a stream. Yes, solitude is very helpful. It has restorative power, cares and concerns are released, peace enters. I am relaxed. Thank You, Lord.

    Continued prayers for those with any kind of pain, especially Marcy, Julie, Jill, Andrea, Meesook, and Connie. Thankful my friend Joel has completed cataract surgery, Mikie will soon have heart surgery, and Anneliese will have another PM treatment.

    Sunshine and a high in the upper 40s today. Hope the weather is good on Mon-Tues and scheduled re-roofing can take place. More progress laying cork roadbed for my model train. Wonderful Advent Bible study using The Light of the World by Amy-Jill Levine. It is an eye and heart opening study.

    Prayers you are all safe and will be safe as Thanksgiving approaches, a lot of traveling takes place, weather can be tough. Safe journey. Thank You, Lord.

  • Julie Posted November 21, 2019 8:17 am

    I am alone most of the time, but I seldom seek solitude in my aloneness. Instead it frightens me, solitude. I am lonely and try to fill the void rather than embrace it as I should and beckon the Lord to join me.
    I had some stomach issues during the night yet I am going to continue to take the 2 doses of meds and see if the burning pain subsides.
    Prayers for Robert and those he prays for. I pray he and Erich are both healthy.
    Prayers for Jill and her family as they gather to celebrate the holiday, may they remember with happiness past holidays.
    Prayers for Mary and her family and students.
    The UR Devotional was written by an indivual from Indonesia who requested prayers for mission work in Papua. I add my prayers to hers.
    Prayers and thank you UR

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted November 21, 2019 7:41 pm

    Thanks Julie!

    May your stomach issues during the night be removed and may your pain subside, Julie!

    Every night, I set aside an hour to be alone. I read, pray, journal, reflect and take stock of my life.

    Solitude improves my well being. It helps me to be healthy mentally.

    Blessings to all and prayers for your well-being!

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted November 21, 2019 10:36 pm

      Thank you God for the gift of solitude!

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