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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

Psalm 83 speaks to our faith journey from within this matrix of enemies and calls for us to trust in divine deliverance. Its opening invocation sets the stage, … Facing enemies is hard enough—facing enemies with a silent God is unbearable. The plea of verse 1 captures the blend of thoughts, feelings, and premonitions we experience when we are fighting for our lives. …As long as the scourges of police violence, community violence,and intimate partner violence are injuring our people,we must urge God to speak through sermons, through prayer, through laws and regulations, and through cultural consensus that prioritizes nonviolence and peace.

—Gabby Cudjoe-Wilkes and Andrew Wilkes, Psalms for Black Lives: Reflections for the Work of Liberation (Upper Room Books, 2022)

Today’s Question

When have you seen evidence of God’s deliverance from enemies? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Deliver me from my enemies, O my God;
protect me from those who rise up against me.
—Psalm 59:1 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Gracious God of Liberation, free us
from our enemies. And when we are the enemies, transform
us from oppressing others into removing the yoke from their
necks and practicing freedom. In Christ’s name, Amen.
—Prayer from Psalms for Black Lives by Gabby Cudjoe-Wilkes and Andrew Wilkes.

Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

This week’s featured book, Psalms for Black Lives, is now available in audiobook. Listen, pray, and develop a justice imagination wherever you are. Learn more here.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

4 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted February 10, 2023 5:58 am

    Daily. God keeps me going. Hopeful today will be a good day skiing. Went on a longer new trail familiar trail combination up Bald Hill. Not quite to the top, but high enough for views through the trees. Yes, it can be very tough to be in situations that are very threatening and not feel God’s presence, but I am confident that God is always there. It’s an everlasting truth.
    Blessings to all. Thank You Lord.

  • Julie Posted February 10, 2023 9:33 am

    Somewhat I was delivered from h who has been my enemy for many years.
    I am having a bad day already, many minicrises starting when I first got up. Seems like one thing after another. Hopeful for the rest of the day improving but not looking good. I had Bible Study Wednesday morning and a Cregivers Support Group meeting yesterday. I am very behind on paperwork and other necessary items and need to get to them today. H continues to get worse.

  • Jill Posted February 10, 2023 10:06 am

    What popped into my mind was “the enemy” – Satan. Did he ever used to have run in my mind. Praise God for little victories, subtle movements and eventual yielding of control to the Holy Spirit.
    I am not sure who I would classify as my “enemies” today. Certainly there are colleagues who are envious of my classload and students. They may act in a manner I don’t approve of, but I don’t see them as an enemy. One has taken a couple shots at me during departmental meetings recently. I need to be in prayer for my attitude regarding this person.
    My tennis friend is going to meet my kittens this evening and then go with me to my god son’s basketball game. A little thing which means a lot.
    Getting a fair amount of grading done, so should be a good thing for my weekend. No tennis this weekend as my team has a bye. Sunday should be a nice quiet day following church.

  • robert moeller Posted February 10, 2023 6:36 pm

    Of course there is always Satan lurking, I would not label Erich the “enemy” although at times it feels that way. Basically, he is frustrated, blames his situation on others, and while there is some blame for them to bear, there are also his own actions to account for. I’m working on the issues that have caused problems, have an experience coming up and did well with today’s experience. Progress planning our effort to move to the Poconos continues. Savings are increasing.
    Very glad to read posts by Julie and Jill. Some of what is happening with you is happening near me as well. There’s good news, a friend’s broken leg has healed well, the cast comes off at night, some weight can be cautiously applied, a husband is getting attention while she is away. Job description for our lay pastor in training is forthcoming, An event will raise funds to fight addiction. Prayers for you both as well as Ally&David, Lou, and all who come to NEM. Thank You, Lord.

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