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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.

 

Words of Hope During COVID-19

James A. Harnish, author of Extraordinary Ministry in Ordinary Time, tells of Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York. In this epicenter of the coronavirus, a baby was born, a gift of hope in a time of despair.


Over the last few months, family and friends of The Upper Room have been sharing how they are creating daily life with God during these strange times. If you have found these videos to be meaningful, we invite you to subscribe to our YouTube Channel.
 

Today’s Reflection

After more than forty years of praying, I still do not understand prayer. I get up many mornings and go to my place of devotion with no sense that my praying makes any difference. This does not mean that I go there reluctantly or discouraged; it simply means I go there realizing that prayer will always be bigger than me and beyond me. I pray realizing that I am not the one in charge. I also find that the older I get, the more content I am to leave some situations in the realm of mystery and wonder.

—Steve Harper, Talking in the Dark: Praying When Life Doesn’t Make Sense (Upper Room Books, 2007)

Today’s Question

What enables you to persevere in prayer? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.
—Romans 12:12 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

God! Please hurry to my rescue!
Yahweh, come quickly to my side!
—from Psalm 70
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

No matter what we are feeling —distress, trust, anger, or delight— we find the words of the Psalms accompany us into God’s presence. Pray with the Psalms.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

5 Comments

  • Jill Posted May 29, 2020 5:10 am

    I persevere because I know He is there. And the thought that I am not trying to change His mind via communication. But, rather, that He will continue to transform me, changing me, as I cry out to Him. I just love that thought…my prayer is ultimately a plea to Him, amidst my requests and questions, to continue His work in me. Let it be so, Father.
    Storms are rolling in today. Dad and I are going to try to get a round of golf in before they hit. Yesterday morning was a dreary one. But the sun came out, I took a long walk and was able to mow my lawn (after it dried out) following dinner. I love the neatness and tidiness of my yard once it has been mown and trimmed.
    A friend on my tennis team sent out an email yesterday, corralling interest in playing tennis this weekend. Nets are back on the courts and they will be unlocked today. I believe we will be playing tomorrow morning and Sunday evening. It will be GREAT to get back on the courts. Should be interesting, the last time I played was the first weekend of March. Our summer team, which usually begins the week of Mother’s Day is set to start up June 15.

  • Julie Posted May 29, 2020 8:54 am

    Faith. Faith that the Holy Spirit is listening and taking my words to God, in a more pleasing way than I have spoken them. Faith that God will listen, simply listen since my words were spoken in his Son’s name. Listen to my heartfelt pleas and be indulgent to my weakness. Faith that he will Listen.
    Prayers for Jill and larry, for health to persist so tennis and golf may continue to be enjoyed. Given our weather this morning, I am doubtful of your success at golfing today, but it has not rained yet, so I hope it holds off for awhile longer. I lnow Larry relishes the time to communicate and socialize.
    Prayers for Ally and David, for health and strength and patience. I pray that David continue to progress in his recovery. Ally, I pray this weekend can provide time to recharge and enjoy nature and favorite pastimes. May you both enjoy your time together after so much time apart.
    Prayers for Marcy and Roxy and of course Lucy, may all be healthy. Marcy, may you find time to spend just enjoying nature and Lucy. May you play with Lucy and forget all your cares.
    Prayers for Robert as he continues to shelter, may he stay safe while also connecting with family and friends via technology.
    Prayers for April and her family as they enjoy the reawakening of nature in the south. May the flowers bloom brighterr this year to blind her to the darkness in the world.
    Prayers for Rick, his husband and LC. I pray LC is on the mend and that Rick does well onn his exams.
    I am worried about when hh returns from his vacation. He will have participated in the highest risk activities to become infected with Covid 19. I would like any advice anyone has on air travel and beach visiting. I saw on our news yesterday that these and other things one does on vacation are the highest risk activities for infection.
    Prayers, thank you and good health dear UR

  • R Martin Armstrong Posted May 29, 2020 9:10 am

    I like to fix things. Often that works for mechanical, and simple electronics. The older I get I have learned that I can’t fix everything. So I pray.

  • robert moeller Posted May 29, 2020 9:12 am

    God wants to hear from us even though our thoughts, needs, concerns are already known. Everyone wants, needs to be acknowledged.

    My advice is to be very careful with social distancing, wearing a mask in close quarters, and stay at home as much as possible.

    May you all be high and lifted up, your needs met, and may you love as God loves. Thank You, Lord.

  • Ally Posted May 29, 2020 1:18 pm

    Prayer is indeed a mystery. How in the world does God know each of us and hear me and see me and care for me as if I am the only child God has. I don’t understand, but I don’t have to. As Dr. Harper pondered yesterday on the mystery of the Trinity–how God can be 1 in 3; as I read his words, I thought of an old gospel song, W’ell Understand It Better By and By. One day I will know. As Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 13, we look through a glass darkly. One day all the mysteries will be fully known.
    David told me last night that he now understands he may need some medication to feel better and agreed to fill the scrip for antidepressant. He hates taking pills, but understands that sometimes we all need a little help. Thanks so much everyone, for your prayers. Thanks also for your prayers for me.
    Jill, you sound so excited about getting back into tennis. So happy you have something to look forward to. Julie, I know your situations with H is a source of extreme stress. I pray that God gives you wisdom on the best way to manage. R Martin Armstrong, such wise advice. I need reminding that I can’t fix everything. Thank you. Robert, thank you for the reminder that God needs to hear from us. THank you. I pray everyone stays safe and healthy. Be blessed!

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