Voice: Emily
Reflection: Terry
Today is Thursday, 30th of October.
As we start another day, let us observe a moment of silence.
We pray:
Blessed are you, creator of all,
to you be praise and glory for ever.
As your dawn renews the face of the earth
bringing light and life to all creation,
may we rejoice in this day you have made;
as we wake refreshed from the depths of sleep,
open our eyes to behold your presence
and strengthen our hands to do your will,
that the world may rejoice and give you praise.
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Amen
Psalm 113
Praise the Lord!
Praise, O servants of the Lord,
praise the name of the Lord!
2 Blessed be the name of the Lord
from this time forth and forevermore!
3 From the rising of the sun to its setting,
the name of the Lord is to be praised!
4 The Lord is high above all nations,
and his glory above the heavens!
5 Who is like the Lord our God,
who is seated on high,
6 who looks far down
on the heavens and the earth?
7 He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap,
8 to make them sit with princes,
with the princes of his people.
9 He gives the barren woman a home,
making her the joyous mother of children.
Praise the Lord!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
as It was in the beginning, is
now, and shall be forever. Amen.
John 13:31-35
31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. 33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’ 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
A Better Version of Yourself
Do you seek to be a better person or a better Christian?
If you have been in the faith long enough, you will know that love lies at the very heart of a meaningful Christian life.
One may strive to be a better leader, preacher, teacher, or disciple — and these are good and worthwhile aims. You may work hard to organise a successful church event or to achieve a ministry goal. Such moments can bring fulfilment and deep satisfaction, a sense of work well done.
Yet, as I look back over my years of ministry — through the many highlights, locally, nationally, and even internationally — I realise that these things are easily forgotten. Truth be told, years later they do not mean much at all. Yes, it was work that needed to be done, but they add little to my walk with the Lord.
However, acts of love, whether big or small, do add up.
Not long ago, I attended a secondary school reunion and met a classmate who had survived an aneurysm. I still remember vividly how I visited him almost daily during his first critical week — when his life hung by a thread. He was unconscious and had no idea that I was there each day. It was my joy to tell him that, and I was delighted to see how well he is doing now, living meaningfully after God gave him a second chance.
As I reflected on this, I asked myself: Why did I remember something so quiet and seemingly insignificant from so long ago?
I believe the Spirit brought it to remembrance. And yes, acts of love do stick — to us, to those who receive them, and to the Lord Himself.
This is the first devotion in which I have shared something personal. But I trust it illustrates well the words of Jesus:
“A new commandment I give to you,
that you love one another:
just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
By this all people will know that you are my disciples,
if you have love for one another.”
— John 13:34–35
Today, ask the Lord to help you love others — not merely with words or good intentions, but with the same love with which He has loved you.
We end with this Collect:
Blessed Lord,
who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning:
help us so to hear them, to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them that,
through patience, and the comfort of your holy word,
we may embrace and for ever hold fast the hope of everlasting life,
which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
In closing be blessed by this classic song, A New Commandment.
Link to today’s Morning Office
About This Daily Devotion
This weekday devotion is drawn from the Morning Office and is part of a project initiated by Revd Canon Terry Wong, with contributions from clergy and members across various parishes. Each entry includes selected readings from the appointed Psalm and another Scripture passage, accompanied by a reflection and prayer. An audio option is also available, often ending with a hymn or song. We encourage you to both read and listen.
Our aim is to help Anglicans engage more deeply with our rich liturgical tradition, while meeting the devotional needs of today’s believers. This project began on Ash Wednesday 2025 and is offered on weekdays only.
For feedback, please write to us at terrywong@anglican.org.sg
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