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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

Our forgiving is rooted in God’s forgiveness of us. Because we know ourselves to be forgiven, we too can forgive. God is in the business of creating a new future out of our mistakes and bad decisions, out of our wounds and our woundings. The Holy One is interested in healing the past and helping us move into the reality of God’s own realm, called in scripture “the kingdom of God.”

—Marjorie J. Thompson, Companions in Christ: The Way of Forgiveness (Upper Room Books, 2002)

Today’s Question

How can receiving and extending forgiveness help you join in creating the new future God desires for all people? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Put aside all bitterness, losing your temper, anger, shouting, and slander, along with every other evil. Be kind, compassionate, and forgiving to each other, in the same way God forgave you in Christ.
—Ephesians 4:31-32 (CEB)

Prayer for the Week

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,” The Upper Room Worshipbook
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Something More

Join us in October for a four-part webinar series introducing Safer Sanctuaries, an upcoming resource for nurturing healthier faith communities. Learn more here.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

4 Comments

  • Julie Posted August 20, 2022 8:40 am

    Oh how I try and try to forgive h. I ask God each day to help me. But as the abuse is ongoing it is difficult. I know that I am forgiven and therefore should readily forgive, but it is not easy.
    Prayers for Ally, for help meeting her challenges today and for relief from her melancholy. Prayers for David’s ongoing recovery as well as the kitties full recovery. Prayers for Robert and Erich and their CBT work and for Robet and his fellow lay members who are undertaking certification classes.

  • robert moeller Posted August 20, 2022 10:24 am

    Yes, I do believe God’s forgiveness enables, empowers us to forgive. Thank you Julie for trying and trying to forgive h. I believe your situation is harder since H was abusive before the dementia set in. My Mom said things that she would ever have said as her dementia increased. There came a time when I’m not sure she knew who we were. Get some help, my sister and I took turns which made it manageable. There are ways to take the whole load off your shoulders.
    Hang on tight to POA that you rightly deserve.
    Prayers Ally is uplifted and encouraged. She has been the rock while David was going through rehab, and has tried hard to find ways to supplement their income. Thankful for CBT, it is a great benefit that Erich believes in this and sees some early results. Had a positive video session with my Saturday morning train watching. Taking vitamins to help my eyes, new glasses on the way, will have two pairs in case of a problem as the new prescription is only a slight change. My current frames were adjusted as well. Worship tomorrow with a new worship leader who will also sing a solo. Have a worship team meeting the end of the month. Hope Jill and family are doing well, Prayers for
    April, Rick, and Scott as well as all who
    come to NEM. Thank You, Lord.

  • Rick Posted August 20, 2022 5:38 pm

    Greetings all,

    Forgiveness is not always easy. I’ve had to pray for Gods help for willingness and a heart of forgiveness. I have done a lot of work around this, It is very freeing and beautiful. One of the exercises that helped was praying for the other person. Julie I’m keeping you in my prayers for strength you have endured a lot. I hope and pray you will have help and assistance with H. Robert , prayers for you and Erich, that the CBT continues to have positive results. Blessing to Alley and David, Jill and her family and April.🙏🏻☺️

  • Ally Posted August 20, 2022 6:32 pm

    Through Christ only can we do these things. I struggle with forgiveness. I have a hard time letting things go. As I ponder this, it came to me how those who practice 12 step recovery do so one day at a time via thought, today I can forgive and let the Lord handle tomorrow.
    I still feel a little run-down, and my left shoulder hurts. David is progressing in therapy and continues to gain in strength. His next goal is to transfer from sitting to standing from a chair or sofa. Kitties are doing ok. We are thinking of trying to go to church tomorrow, since David did well going to a restaurant Thursday. Julie, prayers continue for you as you care for H and work to keep him safe. prayers for your efforts to forgive. It is hard. Robert, prayers for you and Erich As you continue with CBT. Good news that you are seeing progress. Prayers for your church, that you move forward in ministry together. Prayers for Jill, April, Lou, Rick and Scott. Marci has been on my mind as well. I thank God for our forum. Blessings to all.

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