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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

Freedom is, at its roots, not about options. At least in the Christian context, freedom is about love, what we love, how we love. Multiplicity of choices might in fact hinder love from having the context, the time, the room, the struggle requisite for growth and deepening. . . . We may rightly want to live as expansively as possible, but in fact, we are limited, we can’t have it all, we have to close some doors. To focus our energies, to suffer imperfection, to work things out, to wait out a storm—all these are essential ingredients in commitments that last.

—Roberta L. Bondi, “Practicing: A Second Flute,” quoted in A Guide to Prayer for All Who Walk with God, by Rueben P. Job, Norman Shawchuck, & John S. Mogabgab (Upper Room Books, 2013)

Today’s Question

Who in your life sets an example of lovingly serving others?
Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

You were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only don’t let this freedom be an opportunity to indulge your selfish impulses, but serve each other through love.
—Galatians 5:13 (CEB)

Prayer for the Week

This day, we want to embrace your loving freedom, O God, knowing that only in your freedom can we find an abundant life. Amen.
Rueben P. Job, Norman Shawchuck, & John S. Mogabgab, A Guide to Prayer for All Who Walk with God
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 July 12, 2022 7:16 am

    While I think only God loves perfectly, in recent weeks I’ve seen two people who love in different ways. One at church tirelessly working to lead and carry out the annual Strawberry Shortcake event and another at home caring for me in a multitude of ways both physical and mental.
    Our discussion of Conversations with God continues this morning. I find this book very spiritually oriented. Feelings, thoughts, and experience are given more value than words. There’s a church council meeting tonight.
    Had a conversation with our former pastor. Encouraged on a path that I feel I’m called to, urged to do.
    Hopefully the steam locomotive , I enjoyed seeing last weekend ,will run again this weekend. Wasn’t able to get even a hint about the possibility from the railroad. Based on Conversations with God, prayers of thanksgiving for the NEM community of faith. Thank You, Lord.
    A worship survey is part of the agenda.

  • Julie Posted July 12, 2022 8:50 am

    Robert, you certainly embody this for me. Also, I have been on several sites for Parkinsons and some on Facebook that are just for caregivers of those with Parkinsons and I see that these people also lovingly serve. Some are also in the situation I find myself in, caregiving for someone they do not like. I am surprised by the number. I thought I was alsone in this.
    I have a doctor’s appointment today with my nephrologist. I have been praying that my kidneys are healing from the injuries they suffered during my times of severe dehydration in January and February. This afternoon I will find out.
    Prayers for Ally and David, may David be released from rehab soon and may Ally find a means of supplementing their income. Prayers for Robert and his church as they continue to try new forms of worship and also try to fill the void of a not having a pastor.

  • Ally Posted July 12, 2022 1:19 pm

    When I think of humility, I always think of my friend Anita. In the 30 plus years we have known each other, her quiet faith visible through what she is about and her service to others inspires me to do better. She has faced loss and adversity with grace and trust in God. I thank God for her.
    David is doing well in therapy and is getting stronger. His main challenge right now is getting in and out of the shower. His occupational therapist would like before he is discharged. I’m still dealing with harassment from my former friend. She has fixated on me and I have reached out to our attorney for advice. I’m a little fearful because she is unpredictable.
    I have a predecessor to this week’s book. It is one of my favorite spiritual resources. I highly recommend.
    Robert, it sounds like Sunday worship was a source of joy. Prayers continue as your community finds a way to move forward with God. Prayers also for you and Erich as you wait on God’s leading about a move. Julie, I’m glad you found the support group and do not feel so alone. Praying For healing and that you get good news from the nephrologist. Jill, Prayers for you and Roger, that Roger is feeling better and enjoying his treats. Prayers that his appetite has improved.
    Prayers that that you can draw closer to your friends.
    Prayers for Lou, April, Rick and Scott, and for all others who visit NEM. blessings to all.

  • Jill Posted July 12, 2022 2:54 pm

    My friend on my tennis team who asked me to join her church and Bible study group is a humble, serving person, with a tender heart. I am grateful to call her my friend.
    I had to part ways with my little Roger yesterday. His blood sugar was dangerously low – 24, and I got an appointment with the vet yesterday afternoon. By the time they took it there it was 27 – too dangerous to draw blood to test or to do any other time of medical stuff. He had lost 4 pounds since they saw him the day after Easter. She feared kidney failure or cancer – if either was the case it wouldn’t have been treatable. So, I asked the same question again, is it time to let him go – and she said that it was. His little body had just been through too much. My heart is broken and our house is hollow. I am so grateful for these past 8 months and seeing his personality return these past few months. But, since last Tuesday, he has not been well.
    I played tennis last night and it was a balm. My teammates were great and we had ice cream afterwards – they sat with me and were very caring. My doubles partner asked me to go to an outdoor concert tonight – and it looks like it will be an enjoyable evening. I golfed with dad today, and Don came too. Distraction is good. Being at home, I am looking for Roger everywhere. Our little routines and bonds.
    Thank you all for your prayers for him during his bout with diabetes. Due to his significant recent weight loss, the vet was pretty sure there were other outside factors. I am at peace with it – I feel so blessed to have had him as my companion for 9+ years.

    • Ally Posted July 12, 2022 8:02 pm

      Jill, I’m heartbroken with you. may God bless your little guy. He was a special boy and I know you will miss him. Praying your memories of him bring comfort. Hugs❤

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