This week we’re celebrating 90 years of The Upper Room. With a worldwide readership of some three million, The Upper Room focuses on finding God in daily experience. It’s unique in that all the meditations are written by the readers themselves, who seek to share the insights of their faith with others, thus providing a personal take on each passage and a different style each day.
24 August 2025
Celebrating 90 years and 1.5 billion copies since 1935
Based in Nashville, Tennessee, The Upper Room is one of the longest-running daily devotionals in the world. It is part of Discipleship Ministries, of the United Methodist Church.
When Francis Craig approached her pastor, Dr Paul Kern, with an idea for a regularly published prayer guide filled with stories and scripture, she never imagined the global impact to come. With more than 1.5 billion copies printed to date, The Upper Room devotional is now available in more than 30 languages across 100 countries in multiple formats.
The Upper Room UK edition is edited by Daniele Och and is published by BRF Resources three times a year in January, May and September.
The name, The Upper Room, was inspired by a sermon on the story of Pentecost in Acts 1 and 2, and also refers to Jesus’ final meal with his beloved disciples. From its earliest days, the devotional’s content was designed for all followers of Christ, regardless of nationality, age, race or denominational affiliation. As of 2025, it is estimated that one-third of all writers featured in The Upper Room live outside of the United States.
From its earliest days, the devotional’s content was designed for all followers of Christ, regardless of nationality, age, race or denominational affiliation.
A gift to the worldwide church
‘The Upper Room was created as a gift for the worldwide church from day one – a simple, effective tool for uniting Christians in daily prayer and scripture,’ explains the Revd Jeffrey Campbell, general secretary of Discipleship Ministries, of which The Upper Room is an important part. ‘While culture has shifted and evolved since the devotional was launched in 1935, the eternal truths of scripture continue to guide and empower lives around the world. The word of God has no boundaries.’
From its earliest days, The Upper Room editors ensured that each issue had three key features — it would fit in a pocket or purse; it would include strong international representation among its contributors; and it would be ecumenical and a gift to the church worldwide.
‘Throughout the years, the purpose and ministry of the daily devotional guide have not changed,’ notes Lindsay Gray, executive director of The Upper Room. ‘With each issue, we offer people around the globe a way to connect with God every day by sharing stories of God’s presence in the world. The faithfulness and generosity of generations of Upper Room readers have sustained this ministry from the first issue until now.’
Here’s a selection of reflections from the coming week for you to enjoy…
I was struck by the wisdom in this young boy’s words. He wasn’t looking back at yesterday or making a definite plan for tomorrow. He was simply finishing today.
Finish today
Read Psalm 118:19–24
I trusted in thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my God. My times are in thy hand.
Psalm 31:14–15 (KJV)
Recently I was reading through journals I kept when our grandsons were young. I wrote down something my grandson Seth said when he was six years old. I had asked him what he would be doing in the next few days, and he replied, ‘Actually, Grammie, I’m just going to finish today, and then I’ll do tomorrow.’ I smiled as I recalled this conversation, and I was struck by the wisdom in this young boy’s words. He wasn’t looking back at yesterday or making a definite plan for tomorrow. He was simply finishing today.
As an adult it is necessary to schedule my time, and I strive to make wise plans for the future. And yet, Seth’s words reminded me of the importance of appreciating the present moment. The present is ‘the day which the Lord hath made’, and each day is an opportunity to rejoice and be glad in God’s provision (see Psalm 118:24).
Sometimes I can run too far ahead in my planning. In doing so, I run the risk of missing today’s blessings and experiencing unnecessary anxiety. Instead, I want to balance wise planning with a focus on finishing each day in a way that will please God. How comforting it is to trust in the One who provides my daily bread and to know that my time is in God’s hands!
Prayer: Dear Father, help us to have childlike faith, entrusting our days to you. Amen.
Thought for the day: Today I will focus on the present and look to Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith (see Hebrews 12:2).
Sandra Sullivan (West Virginia, USA)
Our church may not impress the world with our money or status. But we can offer something priceless: God’s presence through our simple acts of service.
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Highest calling
Read Matthew 25:31–46
‘The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”’
Matthew 25:40 (NIV)
Tucked away on a peaceful street, our church stands far from the places where the rich and powerful dwell. But we have a wonderful opportunity being close to those who suffer most – people without houses, with addictions, in prison, grieving. Every day, we encounter these children of God who are often overlooked. When we serve them, we serve Christ himself. The noise of daily life can lead us to focus only on our own needs and comfort. But Jesus urges us to look beyond ourselves and our worries. He invites us to see where people most need hope and healing. He is waiting for us there – in the widow’s tears, in the father’s trembling hands, in the child’s hungry cry. Serving the poor and wounded is our highest calling as Christians; it is how we express Christ’s love.
Our church may not impress the world with our money or status. But we can offer something priceless: God’s presence through our simple acts of service. As we feed the hungry and visit the lonely, we shine Christ’s light. The world may not see it, but that doesn’t matter. Loving those whom Jesus named ‘the least of these’ is the core of our calling.
Prayer: Loving God, open our eyes to see you in the faces of those who are forgotten and hurting. Lead us each day to live out Christ’s love through simple acts of compassion. Amen.
Thought for the day: To find God, I will look for those in need.
Duy Khang Nguyen (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam)
God is unfailingly faithful in watching over us and in leading us on the right path. He won’t let us go.
I won’t let you go
Read Psalm 73:23–26
I cling to you; your right hand upholds me.
Psalm 63:8 (NIV)
I volunteer as an usher at our local theatre, showing people to their seats and clearing up after the performance. Recently an elderly lady, on coming down the steps after the performance, misplaced her footing and toppled backwards and fell to the ground. Helping her to her feet, I realised she was still very unsteady. As I kept hold of her, I found myself reassuring her by saying, ‘It’s okay. I’ll not let you go.’ I ensured she was able to negotiate the one further step and go safely on her way. She had to trust that I would do what I said and that I would take care of her.
There is much in the Bible about God’s hands and arms – his holding of us, his keeping of us, his taking of our hand and his guiding of us. God is unfailingly faithful in watching over us and in leading us on the right path. He won’t let us go. Our response is to put our trust in him.
Prayer: Dear Lord, in you we put our trust this day. Thank you that in your tender care, you will not let us go. We pray as Jesus taught us, ‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be revered as holy. May your kingdom come. May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one’ (Matthew 6:9–13, NRSV). Amen.
Thought for the day: ‘Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him’ (Matthew 14:31).
Hilary Allen (England, United Kingdom)
