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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

There is a dynamic dance of discernment in God’s call to us. It is never static but constantly unfolding throughout our lives, and the configuration of our spiritual grace gifts changes along with it. There are times when our call is clear and the direction for its use without doubt. There are also times when we may feel a struggle for clarity and direction, and we question whether God is withholding discernment from us. Those times may offer a unique opportunity if we view them as times of preparation and equipping.

—Christine Harman, For the Common Good: Discovering and Using Your Spiritual Gifts (Discipleship Resources, 2021)

Today’s Question

What helps you discern God’s call and direction when you’re struggling for clarity? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless.
—Philippians 1:9-10, NRSV

Prayer for the Week

Lord,
Give me knowledge and insight that will help me make the right choices in my life. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

You are beloved, and you are gifted. Rediscovering Our Spiritual Gifts: Building Up the Body of Christ Through the Gifts of the Spirit will help you discover the particular gifts the Holy Spirit has given you and challenges you to use. A “Grace Gifts Inventory” is included in the book to help you identify and apply the spiritual gifts in your life.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

Save 45% and get free shipping on the regular and enlarged-print editions of Disciplines 2021. Use promo code DISC45 at checkout. Offer good while supplies last.

3 Comments

  • Julie Posted July 14, 2021 8:38 am

    iUm, other people. I think my problem with answering this week’s questions is that they are not something I consciously think about. These questions and my inability to answer make me think I should contemplate these concepts beyond answering the questions.
    Prayers for Ally and her job search and for her and David’s health. Prayers for Jiil’s relationships with her family, may all realize one another’s shortcomings and love that person and more importantly like that person despite their differences. Prayers for Lou and her children. Prayers for Robert and Pastor Carol as she struggles to master the technology to have Zoom worship, Bible studies and breakfasts. In response to you notes of yesterday, the package was not stolen, h had retrieved it and refused to answer my questions regarding the packages whereabouts. I reported the incident to the police and related to h that I had called the police regarding the stolen package. He continued to stare at me, mute. Finallly, he broke hte silence and related that he took the package. A day after I told him I would have to call the police to make a report! I have not heard from Marcy in months. I text her and call her and receive no response.
    Prayers for Martii and her crew of ttech wizards and a hearty thank you as well.
    Thank you for your prayers and God bless all who visit this small group of Christian friends today.

  • robert moeller Posted July 14, 2021 2:08 pm

    I don’t think there is a shift in the focus of my spiritual gifts. Belief comes first, then concern for my families: immediate, extended, church including NEM, town, country, the people of the world, and my hobby. I hope the package makes it to the proper destination. Sad no word from Marcy. Like Mary in Singapore and many others , I dearly miss, all I can hope for is that they are all with God either here or in heaven. Thankful for prayers that come my way personally or to my son or the church I attend. Prayers for Julie and Megan, their health, well-being, safety and a great resolution to the ordeal they are enduring. Likewise to Ally and David, Jill, her Dad and sister. Thankful too for Marti and her crew who keep this site in operation. Prayers asking for wisdom for those yet unvaccinated, facing extreme heat and wild fires, flash floods and heavy rain. the loss of life no matter which way it comes. Thank You, Lord for Your ever presence and support.

  • Jill Posted July 14, 2021 5:25 pm

    Persevering, in the Word and prayer, as well as seeking prayer from a small group of prayer warriors. And – staying before Him. Maintain the current path, until He directs me off of it, back to an original path, or into a new direction.
    A long day with my sister and her husband, golfing with dad and I. The course was drenched, so it was carts on cart path only. It is a long, hilly course – and dad was very tired towards the end. Lots of walking across wide fairways, hitting out of muckiness, and just a hard challenge for us. But it was good to be together. Becky rode with me and Dad rode with Don. We had lunch afterwards and then dad wanted to play some card games.
    We had no rain today, and hope it stays dry overnight. Dad and I are golfing with his cousin early tomorrow morning. Luckily, it is a course right across the street where dad lives. So, nice and close and I should be home before lunch.
    I need to put some thought into next week – as I will be teaching/remediating some math topics for incoming students into our program. I will see them M/W/F for the next two weeks for an hour in the morning. On T/H next year’s year 2 students will be coming in for help on their project. All of this is voluntary – so not sure what type of turnout it will be. But I need to at least somewhat prep for Monday.
    Friday I will be helping my friend set up for my god daughter’s graduation party. In about 5 weeks she heads off to college. So very hard to believe. The picture boards my friend has been putting together – she has gotten very emotional doing it. Pictures of her grandparents, since passed. 18 years of her daughter life. Whoa!
    Sorry to know that Marcy has been non-responsive. It is a challenge when a member of this group kinda fades off and we don’t know what has happened. I remember being concerned about your absence, Robert. Glad you are still with us in the fold.

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