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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

One of the spiritual practices I have come to love is the practice of Examen, or a prayerful examination of the day. The practice comes from Saint Ignatius of Loyola, a sixteenth-century mystic and the founder of the Jesuit order of priests. He believed this form of prayer to be one of the most important, and he saw it as a gift of God to be practiced regularly. . . .

In this prayer practice, you focus and reflect on the awareness of God’s presence throughout the day. You ask questions such as, Where did I see God today?, At what points in the day did I feel far from God?, How did I experience joy today?, and What made me sad today?

—Jenny Youngman, Scrambled Starts: Family Prayers for Morning, Bedtime, and Everything In-Between (Upper Room Books, 2015)

Today’s Question

Set aside time at the end of your day to answer the Examen questions Jenny Youngman references in today’s reflection. Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.
—Revelation 1:8 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him, all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Traditional Doxology
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Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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3 Comments

  • Julie Posted May 13, 2022 8:54 am

    Well, no question to answer….
    I go today to get more blood work done to see if eating more salt and somewhat limiting my fluid intake has helped with my kidney funcion numbers.
    Prayers for Ally’s disability benefits appeal, may she ultimately triumph. Prayers for her and David’s health issues. Prayers for April as she continues to be a caregiver. Prayers for Jill as she continues to minister to her students and may Roger’s numbers be better on Sunday. Prayers for Lou and her family. Prayers for Robert as he continues to prepare for a move to may he find a house in the Poconos.

  • Jill Posted May 13, 2022 10:56 am

    Before a few years ago, I was unfamiliar with the Examen. A few years back – I put an app on my phone – “Reimagining the Examen” – and used it for a while. But, I have never developed a consistent pattern of using the Examen at the end of the day. Ironically enough – last evening when I went to bed – I did actually take some time and go through some of the concepts of the examen. Not an excuse – but when I go to bed, I usually am quickly asleep. Of course, I know I could take time before turning in to do this.
    Yesterday got away from me after school, as I went on the hunt for some annuals. I was confident the place I stopped after school would have an ample supply. I was very wrong. So, I went out after supper – and bought 4 flats of impatients. So – I think I have enough to get going this weekend. Supposed to be somewhat rainy – so hope to get them planted in between rain drops.
    Dad and I are hoping to golf tomorrow – but it seems that rain is more in the forecast than previously anticipated.
    Looking forward to being home all day Sunday – as I will be testing Roger. It has been a nice break, not bothering him every couple of hours. We both will be grumpy by late afternoon Sunday. But – optimistically hoping for good numbers and the ideal “curve”.

  • Ally Posted May 13, 2022 6:31 pm

    Examen questions: I saw God in the kindness anand compassion of friends who checked on me today, as I received disappointing news yesterday about my disability claim. I felt a little far away from God in sorting out my feelings, as the explanation letter I received demonstrated little understanding of my limitations. Trying not to have a pity party. I experienced joy today in a 3-way call with my sister and cousin. We laughed so much and it got me out of my melancholy for a bit. I experienced hope as I recalled scripture in which God reminded me of God’s care, such as Jeremiah 29:11 and the gospel song, God Cares For You by Vashawn Mitchell. I experienced sadness regarding our global situation with the war against Ukraine and feeling our Republic, which was a beacon of freedom, may be slipping into authoritarianism. So I go back to the hope. God, be with us in these perilous times.
    Julie, praying your bloodwork has improved. Thank you for checking on me today. Jill, enjoy your gardening this weekend. Praying little Roger’s numbers are good. Prayers for Lou and family, Robert as they put condo on market, and for Rick and his husband. Gods to hear from you and many thanks for your prayers for us.
    Thank You God, for Your blessings.

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