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New every morning is your love, great God of light, and all day long you are working for good in the world. Stir up in us desire to serve you, to live peacefully with our neighbors and all your creation, and to devote each day to your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

"A Liturgy for Morning Prayer," Upper Room Worshipbook

Used by permission from the Book of Common Worship, © 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. All rights reserved. This prayer appears in “A Liturgy for Morning Prayer” in Upper Room Worshipbook.

 

Today’s Reflection

Note: This week’s New Every Morning is structured differently to follow the format of our featured title, Rally: Communal Prayers for Lovers of Jesus and Justice, which addresses issues of social justice through a compilation of reflections and call-and-response prayers known as litanies.

Many millennials have been unwilling to accept the choice offered to them between progressive politics and orthodox faith. Many younger Christians see this false dichotomy not only as a challenge to their public witness but also as an impediment to their practice of faith itself. When slaveholders in the nineteenth century argued against abolition, they used the Bible to do it. But their lies not only hurt the people who were enslaved but also divided the church in America and distorted the spirituality of those who were taught that the Bible allowed some people to own other people.

—Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, “Gospel Reconstruction: A Lament for Slaveholder Religion and the Ongoing Racism That Infects Us,” Rally: Communal Prayers for Lovers of Jesus and Justice, edited and compiled by Britney Winn Lee (Fresh Air Books, 2020)

Today’s Question

How do you respond to false dichotomies related to politics and faith? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you.
—1 Thessalonians 3:12 (NRSV)

Today’s Litany

ONE: In your mercy, help us mourn the divisions among the body of Christ and work for its healing in the places where we gather to worship you.

ALL: Forgive us for where we have failed to understand, Lord, and in your mercy, set us free.

ONE: Embolden us to resist the political forces that oppose the expansion of democracy by appealing to traditional values and idealizing a past when white men were in charge.

ALL: Forgive us for where we have failed to understand, Lord, and in your mercy, set us free.

ONE: As we name and unlearn the habits of slaveholder religion, give us grace to draw deeply from the witness of the movements that have always resisted injustice in the power of your Spirit.

ALL: Forgive us for where we have failed to understand, Lord, and in your mercy, set us free.

—Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, “Gospel Reconstruction: A Lament for Slaveholder Religion and the Ongoing Racism That Infects Us”
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

The final litany from Rally was written by Britney Winn Lee in the beginning days of the global pandemic. This prayer reminds us that hope endures; goodness prevails; people surprise us; and love cannot, has not, will not fail. Watch and listen.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

Transfiguration Sunday

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

4 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted February 25, 2022 5:48 am

    I do not believe in slavery of any kind. I do think the Bible is confusing on this topic. In Exodus Moses goes to Egypt as God’s earthly representative to free the Hebrews from slavery. In other parts of the OldTestament people could be held in indented servitude for up to seven years, but had to be released in the jubilee year. In the New Testament letters of Paul slaves, their treatment by their masters , and expectations of their behavior are described. I wish the water wasn’t so muddy.
    As aVermonter I’m glad slavery was outlawed when the republic’s constitution was written in 1777, Vermont became a state in 1791. Sadly denominations have split over this issue. Racism continues. It needs to end, A modern day issue is the treatment of LBGT people. I believe all God’s creation is loved. God is love, without love we wouldn’t exist. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, Love your neighbor as yourself. Words from our Lord and Savior, the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
    Thank You, Lord,

  • Lou Posted February 25, 2022 7:29 am

    I agree Robert – God is love. Love each other – no war- we need that right now – at home and across the seas. It begins with each of us. God’s peace and love to you all this day. Prayers for all of your concerns –
    I’m tired of the snow and tired of shoveling here in the Midwest- happy to hear from Rick in San Diego! Blessings to all near and far today –

  • Jill Posted February 25, 2022 12:34 pm

    I, too, agree that God is love. But there are certainly many other characteristics He claims – one of which He is just. We can’t compartmentalize Him and must look at ALL His attributes. We can’t make Him to be what we want Him to be. We must worship and obey Him for Who He says He is.
    Woke up to everything encased in ice. Grateful to have a garage. I had never experienced my gravel driveway with a glaze of ice over it. I had to be very careful on the way to the garage. Gratefully – all the streets had been treated and were safe. An easy day today as many of my students are on the swim team and the state meet is today and tomorrow. My school is known for its swim program and many of the students in my program are swimmers. Trying to use the time wisely.
    Picking up dad from the airport this evening.

  • Ally Posted February 25, 2022 1:57 pm

    I read the NT scripture for this week from 2 Corinthians and Paul’s words from Ch. 4 verse 2 jumped out at me. Renouncing shameful things. If one grows up in the South, there are shameful things all around. I was not brought up to be a racist. Many of my schoolmates were. The statues in front of the courthouse, so revered, conditioned us to view the “The Cause” ad having little o do with slavery and were all about honor. And it was what we were taught in school! My father was a high school history teacher early in his teaching career and consumed scholarly works like essential food. I’m glad he did, because he corrected my misperceptions learned in school with facts. Those of us in this part of our nation who renounce this evil perpetrated by some of our ancestors are considered to be traitors by some. I can live with that.
    Jill, thank you for your prayers and encouragement. Be safe and praying traveling mercies for Larry. I too am concerned about Julie.
    Robert, in agreement that God loves all His children and wants us to love and care for And include each other, regardless of whom we love or what we look like. Lou, thank you for your prayers for us. I pray you have some better weather soon.
    Rick, it is great to hear from you. I know you are glad to be back in San Diego. My heart is heavy today with the news coming out of Ukraine. I am scared also for the Baltic States. it has done my heart good to see the courage of the Russian people who are protesting. May God keep them safe from harm from a weak individual who wants to be big. Prayers for our Julie, for healing and wellness. Concerning when she doesn’t post 2 days in a row . May God keep us all in His tender watchcare.

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