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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

When we notice that longing, that desire to connect with Life, that yearning to live contemplatively, and when we find ourselves wanting to grow in prayer and live fully in touch with God, that means the divine Gardener is digging, loosening the soil. God is already there doing what needs to be done.

Instead of seizing the initiative in our life with God (which, remember, is our whole life), the first thing to do is simply realize that Someone is sneaking into the shed and getting the shovel. Someone is loosening the soil so that our roots can breathe. Someone is already applying life-giving nutrients.

—L. Roger Owens, Everyday Contemplative: The Way of Prayerful Living (Upper Room Books, 2021)

Today’s Question

How often do you notice that God is at work in you, loosening the soil? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

[Jesus said,] “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit.”
—John 15:1-2 (NRSVUE)

Prayer for the Week

Nurturing God, tend our lives like a patient gardener. May our desire for you grow as your grace works the soil of our lives. Amen.
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.

5 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted June 11, 2024 5:28 am

    Perception is not one of my best abilities, hopefully that is improving. I do yearn for New Every Morning. I looked up what it means to be a UMC lay leader. Want to help CCUMC, keep it going.
    Attend Bible/book study. I’m sustained in the face of criticism of my faith. Thank You, Lord.

    • Ally Posted June 11, 2024 6:01 am

      Robert, thank you for your insight and faithfulness.

  • Ally Posted June 11, 2024 6:00 am

    Gardening motifs resonate with me, as they illustrate so well how God works in us. I have felt God’s digging and pruning. Doesn’t always feel good. I’m not the best at growing things, really. But I do love the bounty and beauty of the garden. I think I need to look for work from home opportunities. David needs me near. Prayers for us while we hope.

  • Andrea Posted June 11, 2024 11:27 am

    Though I don’t comment, love reading NEM and comments by the NEM faithful and I keep you in my prayers. Lowell continues with weekly chemotherapy for multiple myeloma and he is responding well, though he deals with pain, despite narcotics, and fatigue. Many unexpected blessings have come our way to support us. I pray the same for each of you, dear prayer warrior friends.

  • Andrea Posted June 11, 2024 11:28 am

    Should read: “Though I don’t comment, I love reading… “

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