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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

Jesus had a simple message for those who were spiritually awakened by his ministry. It was a message about the timeliness of his kingdom and personal transformation. Mark 1:15 is short and sweet, but as Jesus lived that message with people, the experience of a transformed life was very real. Keeping things simple is a good recipe for a discipleship movement.

—Ben Ingebretson, Plant Like Jesus: The Church Planter’s Devotional (Upper Room Books, 2020)

Today’s Question

How has your life been transformed by the good news of Jesus? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”
—Mark 1:14-15 (NRSVUE)

Prayer for the Week

Teach me, Lord Jesus, to listen as you did. Help me to be slow to speak, slow to judge, and quick to hear. Open my ears so that I can sense both the cry for help around me and your Spirit more clearly, that I might follow you more completely. I pray, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
—Ben Ingebretson, Plant Like Jesus
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

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Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

3 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted April 14, 2024 5:22 am

    Despite being infant baptised, confirmed as a teenager, and becoming a more regular worshipper in the army. it took and has taken time to grow my faith. Much of it came attending a Korean United Methodist Church introduced by my wife. No longer in that church but several other churches, my faith has continued to grow through Bible/book study and serving on the worship team. Thank You,
    Lord. Eastertide continues, blessings to you all.

  • Ally Posted April 14, 2024 10:19 am

    It has been a weird week. Thanks for the insights into some of the questions this week. I’m not connecting them. But being present where I am and on what I’m doing is a message to my heart. For me, Good News is hope and a future, that God’s plans for David and me are for our good. We appreciate your prayers.

  • Rusty Posted April 14, 2024 12:14 pm

    For me the transformation is in eternal perspective and recognition that there is so much good God is doing that is beyond what I can see and beyond what I ever imagined before I became a Christian. And recognizing Jesus loves us through it all.

    Hi Ally – best to you and David. Indeed, God’s plans are so good. Prayers on the way for both of you.

    Robert – we love you and are thinking of you. God’s blessings to you and to those whom you love.

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