Celebratory liturgy and lunch on August 20 and 21
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Upper Room, the world’s longest-running daily devotional written by its readers, will celebrate 90 years of continuous publication at its all-staff gathering this August. On August 20, 2025, a special liturgy will be held at the ministry’s historic chapel in downtown Nashville, and on August 21, a celebratory lunch for current and former staff and invited guests will be hosted at the iconic Loveless Cafe. The event’s special guests will include editors representing the last six decades of publication as well as representatives from Travis Park United Methodist Church (San Antonio, Texas), where The Upper Room originated.
“For 90 years, The Upper Room has been a faithful companion to millions, guiding hearts around the world in daily reflection and prayer,” says Stephen Bryant, former publisher, The Upper Room. “Its impact transcends borders, denominations, and generations—offering a simple yet profound invitation to encounter God each day. We celebrate this milestone with deep gratitude for the countless lives transformed through its ministry.”
In 1935, Francis Craig approached her pastor, Dr. Paul Kern of Travis Park Methodist Episcopal Church (now called Travis Park United Methodist Church), with an idea for a home-based “family altar” prayer guide filled with scripture. From its earliest days, The Upper Room content was designed for all followers of Christ, regardless of nationality, age, race, or denominational affiliation. Today, The Upper Room is available in more than 30 languages across 100 countries, and it is estimated that one-third of all of The Upper Room’s contributors live outside the U.S.
According to a 2023 study from the National Institutes of Health, almost half of all people worldwide pray at least three times a week. And for millions of people who pray daily, The Upper Room has become a trusted, treasured resource. The ministry recently published an article (link) describing nine ways a reader might interact with The Upper Room to enrich their prayer life, including prayer journaling, prayer walks, intercessory prayer, art prayer, breath prayer, Lectio Divina (“sacred reading”), and Visio Divina (“sacred seeing”).
“Over the past thirteen years, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the deep faith and vulnerability shared by contributors from every corner of the globe,” says Lindsay Gray, Executive Director of The Upper Room Editions, The Upper Room. “Each devotion is a window into someone’s walk with God, and together they form a tapestry of hope, struggle, and grace. As we celebrate 90 years of The Upper Room, I’m humbled to be part of a tradition that continues to inspire daily spiritual connection in such a personal and universal way.”
The Upper Room is currently available as a printed magazine published every two months (pocket-size and large print), on The Upper Room app (Apple and Android), and online at Store.UpperRoom.org.
The Upper Room is a global ministry dedicated to supporting the spiritual life of Christians seeking to know and experience God more fully. From its beginnings in 1935 as a daily devotional guide, The Upper Room has grown to include publications, programs, prayer support, and other resources to help Christians of all ages and denominations move to a deeper level of faith and service. For more, visit www.UpperRoom.org/90.
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Contact:
Jana Muntsinger
McClure Muntsinger Public Relations
832.247.9308
[email protected]
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of RNS or Religion News Foundation.
