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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

Jesus longed for the love and for the sight of his heavenly Father, because his identification with God was so complete, so enveloping, so formative that it eclipsed his own will. As close as a thought to its utterance; inspiration to imagination; idea to word, the One in whose image Jesus was born and formed and pre-imagined; the One whom Jesus found so thoroughly and identified with so firmly that he was able to declare, “If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him” (John 14:7).

—Rosalind C. Hughes, A Family Like Mine: Biblical Stories of Love, Loss, and Longing (Upper Room Books, 2020)

Today’s Question

How does Jesus’ close identification with the Heavenly Parent inspire you? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.
—John 14:19-20 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

God, who is both Father and Mother, I give thanks for your unconditional love, protection, and guidance.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

Join The Upper Room on September 30–October 2, 2021, as we create space to reflect on the past 18 months of individual and collective trauma. Our virtual event, RESILIENCE | Healing Practices for Mind, Body, and Spirit, will include storytelling, time for personal reflection and conversation, guided spiritual practice, and worship. Don’t miss out on Early Registration pricing that ends August 30. Learn more here.

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 with the promo code DISC45. Offer good while supplies last.

4 Comments

  • Julie Posted August 5, 2021 8:35 am

    In conjunction with today’s UR Devotional which talks about our call to imitate Jesus in his love for all, this inspires me to look beyond the outer shell of a person to the spark of the Lord within. I need to work on identifying with God and not this world, with His thoughtsand attitide, not those I see around me. I humbly seek God’s transformation of my heart.
    Prayers for Ally and David’s health and Ally’s job search and application for disability. Prayers for Jill as she prepares for school and jury duty while also watching over Larry and his health. May their golf outing be successful and not tax Larry’s health as he continues to recover. Prayers for safe travel for Robert as he concludes his visit with his daughter and granddaughters. May he and Erich reach a resolution to Erich’s issues and may Erich receive the help from professionals that he needs. Prayers for April and Lou and their families. Prayers for Marti and her staff. Thank you for your prayers and may God bless all who come here.

  • Gail Posted August 5, 2021 8:47 am

    Jesus inspires me to seek the Father in all I do. Challenge is to do what I hear without argu
    ment. Tendency is to rationalize and say I am uncertain as to his will, when I know full well and want to follow my own desires

  • robert moeller Posted August 5, 2021 10:21 am

    On the train from NYC to Boston, The new train station in NYC is a welcome relief, but as good as it is, I have no desire to return to the greater NYC area EXCEPT for visits. Knowing that Jesus and God are so closely connected is very reassuring. The energy to keep going in life comes from God-Jesus-the Holy Spirit. Have been somewhat disconnected these past two weeks, still read my Bible and visited NEM, but no ZOOM connection to my church .
    Sure hope Larry recovers, can play golf with Jill, and jury duty plus the opening of school some how coordinates. Prayers too for Julie and Megan, saw the Pennsylvanian headed for Pittsburgh on the departure board in NYC. May Ally & David find the income and health solutions needed. Have an appointment with my counselor on the 9th, hoping for a way to get help for Erich. Thank You, Lord, for the blessings of this day.

  • Jill Posted August 5, 2021 2:39 pm

    I believe in Jesus’ humanity He was most intentional in abiding with His Heavenly Father. Enduring suffering, enmity and being misunderstood – He remained tapped into His power source. We must do the same.
    It was a beautiful morning for golf – still, brilliant sunshine, a touch of coolness. Dad played very well, except for 2 holes. He said he felt pretty good out there. Hopefully he will take it easy the rest of today and be able to enjoy golfing tomorrow with his son-in-law. Becky is coming to ride along and we will all have a late lunch afterwards.

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