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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 reflections are structured differently to follow the format of our featured title, Pauses for Pentecost, which contains 50 days of reflections based on a scripture theme and followed by a daily practice.

In our asking, we need to come to the Father simply, vulnerably, and honestly. You can begin where you are, right now. Maybe you feel you have come to the end of your own resources and need strength from beyond yourself; maybe you are tired of simply going through the motions in your faith, and you long for a sense of immediacy in your connection with God; maybe your Christianity has become a cold, ethical system, and you deeply want something that is more personal and intimate. Wherever you are in your journey of faith, there is always more of God’s Spirit to be experienced. Easter people know this, for we are a Spirit-empowered people!

—Trevor Hudson, Pauses for Pentecost: 50 Words for Easter People (Upper Room Books, 2018)

Today’s Practice

Meditate on these words: “How much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him” (Luke 11:13). Receive them today as an invitation from God for you to ask. Respond to God’s invitation by making a simple request from your heart for the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

“If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
—Luke 11:13 (NIV)

Prayer for the Week

Holy Spirit,
Turn my life into a deep reservoir from which life-giving streams begin to flow toward others around me.
Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

Looking for a music collection that contains new and classic hymns, psalm settings, Taizé music, global songs, liturgies, and prayer songs? The Upper Room Worshipbook is a rich resource for choirs and anyone who wants to enrich their personal devotions. Learn more.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

Day of Pentecost (Sunday, May 23)

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

2 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted May 22, 2021 5:50 am

    At Pentecost the Holy Spirit comes and is accepted by many. I pray that at this Pentecost those who don’t believe will repent and accept this gift. Holy Spirit guide us every day that God’s will be done.
    Breakfast for me and Pearl, Bible reading, the UR, a check on the insulated curtain, some cleaning at church, lunch with friends, help Erich with his writing, more cleaning on the model, and hopefully a walk are in today’s plans. Wonderful chicken cacciatore yesterday for supper, my sister’s psychologist friend provided some great insights to help Erich and I. Thankfully some of them are already in place, but a path leading to the desired goal is established. Have a red shirt for tomorrow’s service. Come Holy Spirit! Come! Thank You, Lord. God be with all of you in your going out and your coming in. Have a blessed Pentecost!

  • Julie Posted May 22, 2021 8:57 am

    I am constantly asking God to be with me. But this is a new way of seeing that which we ask for. To ask God and the Holy Spirit to enter my life and empower me is a wonderful thought.
    I will very much need Him to be with me in the upcoming months as I know h will fight me on everything, but most especially my keeping the house. I am dreading this. Megan and I will spend tomorrow together shopping and eating takeout so no post from me.
    Praayers for Robert and Erich, may the new information assist them in the relationship. Prayers for Ally’s job success and health and may David’s depression abate. Prayers for Jill and Larry, may both remain healthy and well as they continue their golf “tour.” Prayers for Lou’s safety as she travels. Prayers for Marcy’s suffering to diminish.
    Thank you for your prayers and prayers for all of the NEW commenters, new and old and those who visit.

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