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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

Magda Velander talks about finding strength in God’s presence each day and what spiritual practices she is doing in this time of uncertainty.


 

Today’s Reflection

Good friends are people who listen well. When we are in the midst of the collapse of a world as we have known it, we need to speak about it. No one can talk us out of our loss or pain. We must talk ourselves through our pain, our guilt, and our fear and talk ourselves into the new life growing in us. A good listener creates space for us to give voice to our loss and its meaning, and in so doing, helps us discover who we were in the journey toward who we are becoming.

—Dan Moseley, Lose, Love, Live: The Spiritual Gifts of Loss and Change (Upper Room Books, 2011)

Today’s Question

Who supports you on life’s journey? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God.
—Colossians 1:9-10 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Loving God, gather us together and bring us comfort like a mother hen gathers her chicks under her wings.
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

  • Jill Posted May 8, 2020 6:22 am

    God has been so generous is providing wise women, at various times in my life, who have listened well, spoken honestly into my life, and mentored me by always directing me towards my heavenly Father. Integral souls, perfectly timed, doing His Kingdom work. May it be said of me, as well.
    Julie – I do not recall how I got “signed up” for the newsletter. Do you have an Upper Room account? I would start there. If you get to the homepage of UR – you can access the blog – that is where the article I posted can be found. Sorry I cannot be more helpful. I think maybe the key is signing up for an UR account.
    The virtual dinner was pleasant last night. There were four of us and we chatted for almost 2 hours. A nice way to pass the time.
    Praying for your visit with David today, Ally. May it be encouraging to the both of you and may you listen well, gaining insight into things which will help David when he transitions back home.

  • Julie Posted May 8, 2020 8:35 am

    No one. I have friends I talk to but I doo not share my problems with them. I have learned this is not always welcomed.
    Prayers for Jill and her friends who had an enjoyable virtual dinner party. I do have an account and have checked the home page and blog. I will try contacting them. Thank you.
    Prayers for Ally and David, may they enjoy their time together and may Ally learn more about the rehab process and David’s progress and needs. Prayers that David’s memory abilities return.
    Prayers for Robert and his wonky keyboard. May Robert remainisolated and safe and healthy while also engagiing virtually with family and friends.
    Prayers for Rick and his husband, may Rick gain as much knowledge from his online instruction as he does in his face to face instruction.
    Prayers and thank you and stay safe and healthy dear UR

  • ally Posted May 8, 2020 7:28 pm

    The people who support me not only lift me up, they keep me grounded. My biggest cheerleader is David. He prays for me each day and gives me words of encouragement. My sister Amy is there to let me bend her ear and keeps me from getting too full of myself. We always have such fun together. One could not have a better sister. My cousin Kathy and I are only 5 weeks apart on age and are like sisters. She is the funniest person I know and is always there. My aunts are more like other mothers. They have been such a support since Mama passed. They call, text, send cards. They are a gift from God. I have close friends who are more like family. And our church family. Even in these crazy times when we cannot gather in one place for worship, we are here for each other. God has gifted me with a wonderful support network.
    I met with David’s therapy team today and observed their work with him. They gave me great suggestions for how to help him when he comes home, such as memory games and how to help with physical therapy. He is working hard, but will need a lot of help when he comes home. Home health will continue therapy, and I know we will see him get stronger and regain more function. He will need me at home and I’m praying about what to do about my job. Please pray for me as I seek God’s wisdom. But I am thankful to be where we are! Jill, I’m happy to hear you enjoyed the virtual dinner. Julie, I pray God will place caring people in your path who will be a support to you. I lift up Robert, Rick and his husband , April, Andrea, and BJ. I pray we all stay safe. I’m so thankful for the UR family.

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