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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

Honest, direct confrontation is a true expression of compassion. As Christians, we are in the world without being of it. It is precisely this position that renders confrontation both possible and necessary. The illusion of power must be unmasked, idolatry must be undone, oppression and exploitation must be fought, and all who participate in these evils must be confronted. This is compassion. We cannot suffer with the poor when we are unwilling to confront those persons and systems that cause poverty.

—From Compassion: A Reflection on the Christian Life by Donald P. McNeill, Douglas A. Morrison, and Henri J. M. Nouwen, in A Guide to Prayer for All God’s People by Rueben P. Job and Norman Shawchuck (Upper Room Books, 1990)

Today’s Question

How do you think compassion and confrontation are linked? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted.
—Galatians 6:1 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Dear God, I am humbled to hear the good news that you love me and will never let me go. Guide me this day to share this good news with those around me. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

The featured book this week, A Guide to Prayer for All God’s People, is part of The Upper Room Guide to Prayer Series. You can find this book as well as A Guide to Prayer for All Who Walk with God, A Guide to Prayer for All Who Seek God, and A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants on The Upper Room Online Store.

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 28, 2021 8:09 am

    As there are different kinds of LOVE, I think there are different kinds of CONFRONTATION. COMPASSIONATE CONFRONTATION is what Jesus did and would have us do. Bible study here is working its way through the book of Hebrews,. The writer describes the gifts we receive from God and says that we who received them thank God, glorify God by giving those gifts to others. Jesus says just as you do unto others you have done unto me. COMPASSIONATE CONFRONTATION is full of LOVE. Today is review past reflection post day so tomorrow there will be a post directed to this oasis of faith members. God is with us always, thank You, Lord.

  • Julie Posted April 28, 2021 8:39 am

    I agree with Robert, there isa difference between confrontation and compassionate confrontation. We as Christians must love both the oppressed and the oppressor. Therefore we must confront injustice with love not violence and insults.
    Prayers for Robert and Erich and their counseliing, may they find a deep relationship of love and respect.
    Prayers for Ally and David, for healing and a new job.
    Prayers for Lou as she makes plans to travel to her daughters, may all be well with travel.
    Prayers for Jill, her fellow teachers and all their students, may the teachers be guided by God in their efforts to engage the students, both in class and those onliine.
    Prayers for the UR

  • Jill Posted April 28, 2021 6:55 pm

    Compassion, to its fullest extent, must move one to confrontation. Facing the wrong, standing with the oppressed, the marginalized, the unvoiced. Doing what is under one’s own power to do, to help those less fortunate.
    A very mild morning – how pleasant to run in daylight with just one layer of clothing on. My body has finally recovered from the tournament…it was eye-opening.
    Today was my “easier” day at school and I got a lot accomplished. I just can’t bring myself to do any work on school nights, despite a stack of papers which need my attention. Instead – I went for a walk when I got home.
    This evening is our final small group meeting.
    Thinking of Ally, missing her posts. I pray she and David are well.

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