The Upper Room Disciplines 2014


Book Description

This best-selling book of daily devotions is based on scripture passages from the Revised Common Lectionary. Fifty-three writers from diverse locales, ethnicities, and Christian traditions help you grow in your knowledge of the Bible and how to apply its truths to your life.




The Upper Room Disciplines 2014, Enlarged-Print Edition


Book Description

This best-selling book of daily devotions based on the Revised Common Lectionary features 53 writers from diverse locales, ethnicities, and Christian traditions. Writers for 2014 include Missy Buchanan, Jan Richardson, Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, Steve Garnaas-Holmes, Luis Reyes, Kwasi Kena, Claudio Carvalhaes, and many others. Each week opens with a scripture overview and questions and thoughts for reflection that can be used individually or with a small group. Each daily reading focuses on a selected scripture passage and ends with a prayer or suggestion for meditation.




A Guide to Prayer for All Who Walk with God


Book Description

This book, the fourth in The Upper Room’s bestselling “Guide to Prayer” series, offers a simple pattern of daily prayer built around weekly themes and organized by the Christian church year. Each week follows this pattern: Affirmation Psalm Psalm Prayer Daily Scripture Readings Silence Daily Reading Reflection (Silent or Written) Prayers Offering of Self to God Blessing The daily readings are drawn from the history of Christian spirituality and feature such writers as Francis of Assisi, Teresa of Avila, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Henri J. M. Nouwen, Sue Monk Kidd, Douglas Steere, Jan Richardson, Trevor Hudson, Wendy M. Wright, and many others. Beautifully bound in a leather-like cover, A Guide to Prayer for All Who Walk with God makes a perfect gift and a reliable companion for anyone seeking to deepen a steady life of prayer.




The Upper Room Disciplines 2023


Book Description

Strength for Your Spiritual Journey Center your heart and mind on God each day with The Upper Room Disciplines. Readings in this year-long devotional will awaken and strengthen your awareness of God's presence in your daily life. Each week a different Christian thought leader offers daily meditations, scripture readings, and prayers that will help you engage God's Word. Based on the Revised Common Lectionary, a three-year cycle of Sunday scripture readings, Disciplines features: a focal scripture passage for each day, short daily meditations from 53 thought leaders from diverse Christian traditions, a reflection or prayer to carry with you each day, weekly scripture overviews, an index of scripture readings, and a guide to daily prayer. Among the writers for the 2023 edition of Disciplines are Hannah Adair Bonner, Tex Sample, Barbara Brown Taylor, Elizabeth Corrie, Bishop Karen Oliveto, Richard Morgan, Chanequa Walker-Barnes, and Peter Wallace.




The Upper Room Disciplines 2015


Book Description

The Upper Room Disciplines 2015 is a devotional guide for Christians who want to delve deeper into scripture and apply it to their daily lives. Fifty-three writers from diverse Christian backgrounds share messages of hope, challenge, and joy. Each daily reading includes a focal scripture passage from the Revised Common Lectionary, a meditation related to the scripture, and a prayer or suggestion for reflection. Writers for 2015 include Trevor Hudson, Marjorie Hewitt Suchoki, Michael W. Waters, Eileen Campbell-Reed, Paul Lynd Escamilla, J. Dana Trent, James Howell, Kristen Vincent, Thomas Thangaraj, and more.




Shaping the Prayers of the People


Book Description

This book offers a model of profound and accessible congregational prayer. At once inspirational and practical, it will empower and equip laypeople and clergy alike to offer heartfelt, informed, and appropriate prayers on behalf of the people of God. As Samuel Wells and Abigail Kocher say, "Interceding in public worship is a duty. This book is intended to make it a joy." Shaping the Prayers of the People begins by considering what public prayer is and offering practical guidelines for avoiding common pitfalls. It explores prayer as an integral part of worship and discusses the language we need (and don't need) to address God. Significantly, the book also provides an array of example prayers along with commentary.




The Living Nativity


Book Description

Who came up with the idea of using nativity scenes to celebrate Christmas? Many might be surprised to learn that Saint Francis of Assisi, is credited with creating the first nativity scene. The Living Nativity introduces readers to Saint Francis and his joyous reenactment of Jesus' birth.The Living Nativity explores how nativity sets, Advent wreaths, candles, carols, Christmas cards, and other traditions help prepare our hearts for the God "who bends low to enter our world and our lives." Prayer poems for each day of the season lead readers to deepen their spiritual journey, and the book provides a guided pattern for individuals and small groups to share reflections and experience activities that open their hearts to the Christ child.The Living Nativity offers a prayer, meditation, and reflection questions for each day of Advent. The Leader's Guide includes suggestions for worship, discussion questions focused on the readings, and guidance for a mini-retreat on a theme of the week




Praying with Mandalas


Book Description

Color your way to a closer relationship with God. Praying with Mandalas blends the relaxing practice of coloring with ancient spiritual practices. The mandalas in this book (10 each of 4 designs) help you grow closer to God through lectio divina, intercessory prayer, centering prayer, and the Examen. Contemplative coloring is a simple, enjoyable, and tangible way to let go of your distractions and focus on God. Sharon Seyfarth Garner invites you to "be with God on purpose"to intentionally create space where you might hear God's holy whispers. Embrace the opportunity to nurture a deeper relationship with God through the colorful, contemplative practice of praying with mandalas.




Disciplines for the Inner Life


Book Description

This powerful devotional aid has been called a perennial classic. The format offers readings from 176 books, 52 hymns, and 141 different writers that helps to develop and cultivate personal worship. The authors, Bob and Michael Benson, turned to their years of devotion of the study of the Scriptures and readings to the rich traditions of spiritual aids to spiritual growth used throughout Christian history and across the centuries. This is a devotional that has stood the test of time and continues to touch lives deeply




A Spirituality of Living


Book Description

What's the secret to living a spiritual life? So much is happening in our world that we often get distracted and listen to voices other than the voice of God. "If we want to be disciples of Jesus, we have to live a disciplined life," Nouwen asserts. In the spiritual life, discipline requires conscious effort to keep every area in life from being filled up. It means creating space in our life for God to act and speak. Nouwen identifies 3 essential disciplines for maintaining a life of discipleship: solitude, community, and ministry. In solitude we learn to listen to God through prayer. We realize that we are beloved sons and daughters of God. In community we learn to celebrate, as well as to practice vulnerability and forgiveness. After we have experienced solitude and community, we feel God's call to minister to a hurting world. God empowers us to do amazing things. This encouraging, insightful book will inspire you to practice solitude, community, and ministry. The result, Nouwen promises, is a fruitful, Spirit-filled life.