Today’s Reflection

I have discovered that a power
chair is much like life. . . .
I have discovered that without a charged battery,
The chair has no power.
O that I might plug my weary soul into the power
of your Spirit!

—Missy Buchanan, Living with Purpose in a Worn-Out Body: Spiritual Encouragement for Older Adults (Upper Room Books, 2008)

Save 15% on this week’s featured book when you use promo code NEM1026 at Store.UpperRoom.org.*

Today’s Question

What do you rely on completely that needs a fully-charged battery? What is it like to depend on God just as strongly? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Awesome is God in his sanctuary,
the God of Israel;
he gives power and strength to his people.
Blessed be God!

—Psalm 68:35 (NRSVUE)

Prayer for the Week

God, we have always been dependent on you for every step and every breath. You have never left us, even as we age and wear these bodies out. As we rely more and more on others, remind us to rely on you the most. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

• Deuteronomy 34:1-12
• Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17
• 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8
• Matthew 22:34-46

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.

*Offer valid through November 15, 2026.

Today’s Reflection

When the soul is, in this prayer, truly dead to the world, a little white butterfly comes forth. Oh, greatness of God! How transformed the soul is when it comes out of this prayer after having been placed within the greatness of God.

—Teresa of Avila, edited by Keith Beasley-Topliffe, The Upper Room Spiritual Classics: Writings of Teresa of Avila (Upper Room Books, 2017)

Save 15% on this week’s featured book when you use promo code NEM1026 at Store.UpperRoom.org.*

Today’s Question

How do you feel your soul is transformed after prayer? How do you live differently? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another, for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.
—2 Corinthians 2:18 (NRSVUE)

Prayer for the Week

God, you give water for my soul to drink. As you tend the garden of my soul, it is transformed into a crystal castle—a palace where you make your home. Live in me, O God. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

• Exodus 33:12-23
• Psalm 99
• 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
• Matthew 22:15-22

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.

*Offer valid through November 15, 2026.

Today’s Reflection

We know we have souls. But seldom consider the precious things that can be found in this soul, or who dwells within it, or its high value. Consequently, little effort is made to preserve its beauty.

—Teresa of Avila, edited by Keith Beasley-Topliffe, The Upper Room Spiritual Classics: Writings of Teresa of Avila (Upper Room Books, 2017)

Save 15% on this week’s featured book when you use promo code NEM1026 at Store.UpperRoom.org.*

Today’s Question

If you had to describe your soul as made out of a certain material, what would it be made out of? What condition is it in? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

It has the glory of God and a radiance like a very rare jewel, like jasper, clear as crystal.

—Revelation 21:11 (NRSVUE)

Prayer for the Week

God, you give water for my soul to drink. As you tend the garden of my soul, it is transformed into a crystal castle—a palace where you make your home. Live in me, O God. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

• Exodus 33:12-23
• Psalm 99
• 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
• Matthew 22:15-22

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.

*Offer valid through November 15, 2026.

Today’s Reflection

The soul isn’t in possession of its senses, but it rejoices without understanding what it is rejoicing in. It understands that it is enjoying good in which are gathered together all goods, but this good is incomprehensible.

—Teresa of Avila, edited by Keith Beasley-Topliffe, The Upper Room Spiritual Classics: Writings of Teresa of Avila (Upper Room Books, 2017)

Save 15% on this week’s featured book when you use promo code NEM1026 at Store.UpperRoom.org.*

Today’s Question

Have you ever had a vision or received a word that was so unexpected and clearly from God that it caught you off guard? What did God tell you? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

For there is still a vision for the appointed time;
it speaks of the end and does not lie.
If it seems to tarry, wait for it;
it will surely come; it will not delay.

—Habakkuk 2:3 (NRSVUE)

Prayer for the Week

God, you give water for my soul to drink. As you tend the garden of my soul, it is transformed into a crystal castle—a palace where you make your home. Live in me, O God. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

• Exodus 33:12-23
• Psalm 99
• 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
• Matthew 22:15-22

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.

*Offer valid through November 15, 2026.

Today’s Reflection

One utters many words here in the praise of God without thinking them up, unless it is the Lord who thinks them up; at least the intellect is worth nothing here.

—Teresa of Avila, edited by Keith Beasley-Topliffe, The Upper Room Spiritual Classics: Writings of Teresa of Avila (Upper Room Books, 2017)

Save 15% on this week’s featured book when you use promo code NEM1026 at Store.UpperRoom.org.*

Today’s Question

Do you find yourself praising God before you mean to? Do hymns of praise and words of thanks fall out of your mouth by accident? Why do you think this happens? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

“But those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.”
—John 4:14 (NRSVUE)

Prayer for the Week

God, you give water for my soul to drink. As you tend the garden of my soul, it is transformed into a crystal castle—a palace where you make your home. Live in me, O God. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

• Exodus 33:12-23
• Psalm 99
• 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
• Matthew 22:15-22

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.

*Offer valid through November 15, 2026.

Today’s Reflection

The water is closer because grace is more clearly manifest to the soul. In this prayer the faculties are gathered within so as to enjoy that satisfaction with greater delight.

—Teresa of Avila, edited by Keith Beasley-Topliffe, The Upper Room Spiritual Classics: Writings of Teresa of Avila (Upper Room Books, 2017)

Save 15% on this week’s featured book when you use promo code NEM1026 at Store.UpperRoom.org.*

Today’s Question

Do you find satisfaction in prayer? Where do you think that satisfaction comes from? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

[Remember your creator before] the pitcher is broken at the fountain, and the wheel broken at the cistern, and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the breath returns to God who gave it.
—Ecclesiastes 12:6–7 (NRSVUE)

Prayer for the Week

God, you give water for my soul to drink. As you tend the garden of my soul, it is transformed into a crystal castle—a palace where you make your home. Live in me, O God. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

• Exodus 33:12-23
• Psalm 99
• 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
• Matthew 22:15-22

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.

*Offer valid through November 15, 2026.

Today’s Reflection

[Beginners in prayer] are those who draw water from the well. This involves a lot of work on their own part, as I have said. They must tire themselves in trying to recollect their senses. Since they are accustomed to being distracted, this recollection requires much effort.

—Teresa of Avila, edited by Keith Beasley-Topliffe, The Upper Room Spiritual Classics: Writings of Teresa of Avila (Upper Room Books, 2017)

Save 15% on this week’s featured book when you use promo code NEM1026 at Store.UpperRoom.org.*

Today’s Question

Does prayer sometimes feel as laborious as drawing bucket after bucket of water from a well? Does that mean the task is not worthwhile? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough and ran again to the well to draw, and she drew for all his camels.
—Genesis 24:20 (NRSVUE)

Prayer for the Week

God, you give water for my soul to drink. As you tend the garden of my soul, it is transformed into a crystal castle—a palace where you make your home. Live in me, O God. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

• Exodus 33:12-23
• Psalm 99
• 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
• Matthew 22:15-22

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.

*Offer valid through November 15, 2026.

Today’s Reflection

[God] is starting to cultivate a garden on very barren soil, full of abominable weeds. His majesty pulls up the weeds and plants good seed. . . . All of this is already done by the time a soul is determined to practice prayer.

—Teresa of Avila, edited by Keith Beasley-Topliffe, The Upper Room Spiritual Classics: Writings of Teresa of Avila (Upper Room Books, 2017)

Save 15% on this week’s featured book when you use promo code NEM1026 at Store.UpperRoom.org.*

Today’s Question

What weeds did God have to pull up for you to be ready to pray when you first started a prayer practice? What weeds did God have to pull for you to be ready to pray today? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
—Luke 8:11 (NRSVUE)

Prayer for the Week

God, you give water for my soul to drink. As you tend the garden of my soul, it is transformed into a crystal castle—a palace where you make your home. Live in me, O God. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

Canadian Thanksgiving

• Deuteronomy 8:7-18
• Psalm 65
• 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
• Luke 17:11-19

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.

*Offer valid through November 15, 2026.

Today’s Reflection

Spirituality is the name for living out one’s salvation as wholeness. However this living is expressed, the primary activities of the church’s life need to be a means to this end.

—W. Paul Jones, The Art of Spiritual Direction: Giving and Receiving Spiritual Guidance (Upper Room Books, 2002)

Save 15% on this week’s featured book when you use promo code NEM1026 at Store.UpperRoom.org.*

Today’s Question

What does it mean for the church’s activities to be a means for spirituality? How much of your church’s activities lead to a deeper spirituality? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence but much more now in my absence, work on your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
—Philippians 2:12–13 (NRSVUE)

Prayer for the Week

Spirit of God, my soul longs to be with you each moment. Make me whole; make me like you, so I may be lost in your Spirit. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

• Exodus 32:1-14
• Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23
• Philippians 4:1-9
• Matthew 22:1-14

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.

*Offer valid through November 15, 2026.

Today’s Reflection

We are what we remember, with commitment and a determination born of knowing what we dare not forget. . . . In spirituality, everything depends on remembering and re-remembering. The only Jesus we have is the remembered one.

—W. Paul Jones, The Art of Spiritual Direction: Giving and Receiving Spiritual Guidance (Upper Room Books, 2002)

Save 15% on this week’s featured book when you use promo code NEM1026 at Store.UpperRoom.org.*

Today’s Question

We remember Jesus during communion and we, the church, become his body on earth. How else does the church both remember Jesus and become Jesus in the world? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
—Luke 22:19 (NRSVUE)

Prayer for the Week

Spirit of God, my soul longs to be with you each moment. Make me whole; make me like you, so I may be lost in your Spirit. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

• Exodus 32:1-14
• Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23
• Philippians 4:1-9
• Matthew 22:1-14

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.

*Offer valid through November 15, 2026.