Today’s Reflection

We must therefore understand what the gospel asks of us. It does not require us to remain in situations of danger or to put up with ongoing hurt. Protecting ourselves from harm is our right and duty.

—Kathleen Fischer, Forgiving Your Family: A Journey to Healing (Upper Room Books, 2005)

Today’s Question

Have you or someone you know experienced so much harm from someone that they had to leave the relationship entirely? Take a moment to thank God for their safety and pray for the well-being of others in harmful relationships. Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

“I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”
—Matthew 10:16 (NRSVUE)

Prayer for the Week

O God, you are gracious and forgiving. Give us the guts to be as forgiving as you are, the vulnerability to reconcile with everyone we can, and the courage to leave when situations are too dangerous. We know you want the best for each of us. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

• Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25
• Psalm 78:1-7
• 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
• Matthew 25:1-13

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

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

Today’s Reflection

Both persons must be ready to acknowledge what happened, experience the pain of rupture, and want to reconnect. When each keeps an open heart, watches for signs of trust, and takes small steps toward the other, reconciliation becomes possible.

—Kathleen Fischer, Forgiving Your Family: A Journey to Healing (Upper Room Books, 2005)

Today’s Question

Is there someone you have tried to reconcile with, but it just isn’t possible? Take a moment to pray for God’s blessings to be upon them, even in your absence. Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

They will not hurt or destroy
on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.

—Isaiah 11:9 (NRSVUE)

Prayer for the Week

O God, you are gracious and forgiving. Give us the guts to be as forgiving as you are, the vulnerability to reconcile with everyone we can, and the courage to leave when situations are too dangerous. We know you want the best for each of us. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

• Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25
• Psalm 78:1-7
• 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
• Matthew 25:1-13

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

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

Today’s Reflection

Simple gestures accumulate like snowflakes, each adding its weight to the healing process. Tentative and partial at first, peace gradually grows stronger. . . . There are degrees of forgiveness. The key is to start somewhere and to keep trying.

—Kathleen Fischer, Forgiving Your Family: A Journey to Healing (Upper Room Books, 2005)

Today’s Question

Who are you interested in repairing a relationship with? What is the smallest olive branch you could offer them today? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

“A mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs.”
—Mark 4:31–32 (NRSVUE)

Prayer for the Week

O God, you are gracious and forgiving. Give us the guts to be as forgiving as you are, the vulnerability to reconcile with everyone we can, and the courage to leave when situations are too dangerous. We know you want the best for each of us. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

• Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25
• Psalm 78:1-7
• 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
• Matthew 25:1-13

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

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

Today’s Reflection

One way to stop rehearsing an offence is to substitute prayer for negative thoughts. Such prayer embodies ancient Christian wisdom about how our inner world gets distorted and about how to straighten it out.

—Kathleen Fischer, Forgiving Your Family: A Journey to Healing (Upper Room Books, 2005)

Today’s Question

What is one painful memory you keep rehearsing? When you catch yourself thinking about it, pray Psalm 51:10 instead. Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and put a new and right spirit within me.

—Psalm 51:10 (NRSVUE)

Prayer for the Week

O God, you are gracious and forgiving. Give us the guts to be as forgiving as you are, the vulnerability to reconcile with everyone we can, and the courage to leave when situations are too dangerous. We know you want the best for each of us. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

• Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25
• Psalm 78:1-7
• 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
• Matthew 25:1-13

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

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

Today’s Reflection

Anger seldom walks alone. It brings other emotional companions like fear and sadness. I frequently ask clients, “What would you be feeling if you were not feeling so angry?” Almost always they respond, “Deeply sad.”

—Kathleen Fischer, Forgiving Your Family: A Journey to Healing (Upper Room Books, 2005)

Today’s Question

Do you, underneath all your anger, feel deeply sad? What does bringing your sadness to God change about how you view your situation? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

My eyes waste away because of grief;
they grow weak because of all my foes.

—Psalm 6:7 (NRSVUE)

Prayer for the Week

O God, you are gracious and forgiving. Give us the guts to be as forgiving as you are, the vulnerability to reconcile with everyone we can, and the courage to leave when situations are too dangerous. We know you want the best for each of us. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

• Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25
• Psalm 78:1-7
• 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
• Matthew 25:1-13

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

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

Today’s Reflection

We need to ask, is holding this grudge worth ruining my life? Sometimes releasing a hurt follows from awareness that the situation will not change, and we are making ourselves unhappy about it.

—Kathleen Fischer, Forgiving Your Family: A Journey to Healing (Upper Room Books, 2005)

Today’s Question

What harm has someone done to you that still hurts? Is there one small action you can take to let go of a little of the hurt? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

And forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.

—Luke 11:4 (NRSVUE)

Prayer for the Week

O God, you are gracious and forgiving. Give us the guts to be as forgiving as you are, the vulnerability to reconcile with everyone we can, and the courage to leave when situations are too dangerous. We know you want the best for each of us. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

• Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25
• Psalm 78:1-7
• 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
• Matthew 25:1-13

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

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

Today’s Reflection

Forgiving is both a choice—actually many choices—and a continual acceptance of grace. Ultimately for Christians, it rests on the realization that we ourselves have been graciously forgiven for all the ways we have hurt others.

—Kathleen Fischer, Forgiving Your Family: A Journey to Healing (Upper Room Books, 2005)

Today’s Question

What specifically has Christ forgiven you for? Who specifically can you forgive for a similar offence? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
—Colossians 1:13–14 (NRSVUE)

Prayer for the Week

O God, you are gracious and forgiving. Give us the guts to be as forgiving as you are, the vulnerability to reconcile with everyone we can, and the courage to leave when situations are too dangerous. We know you want the best for each of us. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

• Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25
• Psalm 78:1-7
• 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
• Matthew 25:1-13

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

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

Today’s Reflection

[I’m] crying over the death of another Black teen I saw on the news—this one for playing his music too loudly. . . . I’m trying to remember Jesus—not only as the crucified one but also as the victor over sin and death.

—Osheta Moore, Britney Winn Lee, Rally: Communal Prayers for Lovers of Jesus and Justice (Fresh Air Books, 2020)

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

Today’s Question

How does remembering Jesus help you with grief? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

The LORD is a safe place for the oppressed—
a safe place in difficult times.

—Psalm 9:9 (CEB)

Today’s Litany

ONE: Jesus, you can empathize with us as we grieve. You, Lord, have sat
with the trauma of loss. You know the anger, sadness, and confusion that
comes when death visits your loved ones. You know because you wept for
the loss of your friend. Weep with us today, Lord. We trust in you to meet
us in this space. Remind us that we are not alone.
ALL: Come, Lord Jesus, bring us comfort.
ONE: Lord, teach us the power of lament, and give us courage to weep with
those who weep. Surround us and those who have been shaken by tragedy
with love and community. Give us new resolve to love ourselves and
others fully.
ALL: Come, Lord Jesus, bring us connection where this death has brought
senselessness.
—Osheta Moore, Britney Winn Lee, Rally: Communal Prayers for Lovers of Jesus and Justice (Fresh Air Books, 2020)
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

All Saints Day

• Revelation 7:9-17
• Psalm 34:1-10, 22
• 1 John 3:1-3
• Matthew 5:1-12

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

That we have a God who lived inside a woman’s body, washed the feet of his disciples, sat down to meals with strangers, and asked that the sick and suffering be brought to him only affirms bodies as a source of divine inspiration and wisdom.

—Stephanie Vos, Britney Winn Lee, Rally: Communal Prayers for Lovers of Jesus and Justice (Fresh Air Books, 2020)

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

Today’s Question

What kindness can you offer to your body today? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Don’t you know that you are God’s temple and God’s Spirit lives in you?
—1 Corinthians 3:16 (CEB)

Today’s Litany

ONE: When we abandon our bodies to be absorbed in our screens,
ALL: We return by our breath. (inhale, exhale)
ONE: When our bodies are overwhelmed with fear and anxiety,
ALL: We take care with our breath. (inhale, exhale)
ONE: When our bodies fail and disappoint,
ALL: We stay close to our breath. (inhale, exhale)
ONE: When our bodies cause harm and suffering to others,
ALL: We come back to our center with our soft breath. (inhale, exhale)
ONE: When our bodies are harmed and violated,
ALL: We take refuge in the calm of the breath. (inhale, exhale)
—Stephanie Vos, Britney Winn Lee, Rally: Communal Prayers for Lovers of Jesus and Justice (Fresh Air Books, 2020)
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

• Joshua 3:7-17
• Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37
• 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
• Matthew 23:1-12

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

All over the world, children of God seek to cross walls meant to keep them out and deadly waters indifferent to their suffering. Yet we, as God’s children, are bound to all our siblings who are seeking better lives.

—Cory Driver, Britney Winn Lee, Rally: Communal Prayers for Lovers of Jesus and Justice (Fresh Air Books, 2020)

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

Today’s Question

Which actions could you take to demonstrate concern for God’s children who are in danger? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.
—Hebrews 13:2 (NRSV)

Today’s Litany

ONE: Jesus: the way, truth and life, help us to walk in your ways.
ALL: You told us when we love the stranger we are, in fact, loving you.
Lord, help us to love the stranger, our neighbor!
ONE: God, create in us a compulsion not to stand idly by.
ALL: Lord, stir us up to holy action lest the blood of our neighbor be shed.
For the glory of your name and the love of our siblings in Christ. Amen!
—Cory Driver, Britney Winn Lee, Rally: Communal Prayers for Lovers of Jesus and Justice (Fresh Air Books, 2020)
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

• Joshua 3:7-17
• Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37
• 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
• Matthew 23:1-12

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.