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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 pray for one another, … we return to a foundation of love rather than fear. We look for God’s image in others and seek God’s healing grace. … Through intercessory prayer, we can pray for our neighbors, our enemies, our family members, and our friends. When we pray for others, we walk for a moment in their shoes and imagine life from their perspective. By praying for others—or asking others to pray for us—we share our joys and concerns not just as indifferent observers but as fellow children of God.

—Sharon Seyfarth Garner, Praying with Mandalas: A Colorful, Contemplative Practice (Upper Room Books, 2016)

Today’s Question

How might praying for someone you dislike change your perspective on that person? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

[Jesus said] “You have heard that it was said, You must love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who harass you so that you will be acting as children of your Father who is in heaven.”
—Matthew 5:43-45a (CEB)

Prayer for the Week

Gracious God
whose love encircles all,
You are the one in whom I live
and move and have my being.
Thank you for the moments
when I see you most clearly.
I am sorry for the times I have turned away
from your loving presence.
With hope I look toward the new day to come,
heart aflame with your love and grace.
I am grateful that you are with me
every moment of every day.
Amen.
Prayer by Sharon Seyfarth Garner
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

Join the conversation on how to make our churches safer places for children, youth, and vulnerable adults. Participate in the Safer Sanctuaries webinar series each Thursday during the month of October. Learn more here.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

5 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted October 6, 2022 5:29 am

    Understanding the situation in which the person you dislike finds him or her self and knowing that everyone is a creation of God helps us to pray for them and thus helps us to love them as God loves. We aren’t divine so this is a very hard task, but the Holy Spirit helps us even when we are at a loss for words in our prayers. How amazing! Thank You, Lord.

  • robert moeller Posted October 6, 2022 5:45 am

    Julie, hope h’s bloodwork leads to helpful therapy and the concert you and Megan hope for occurs. Hope the new bloodwork site is an improvement over the one more frequently used.
    Sorry Jill, your post vanished, very frustrating, I think we all have had that happen. Prayers for you and the more straight forward class, glad they have you giving them extra attention. I would have benefitted from that, my geometry and algebra II teachers were intimidating.
    Thankful Ally that Isaiah 43 helped you, Prayers that your financial needs are met and both you and David have the medical help needed. Thank You, Lord.

  • Julie Posted October 6, 2022 9:13 am

    I have tried repeatedly to pray for h. I have asked God to help me see him as his child. But to me God may have formed him but he has voluntarily given his soul to the ruler of the air, the Devil. I find it impossible to pray for him.
    The boat person was a scammer. I am so very thankful to my bank for putting the check on hold until it cleared. It of course did not and I am back to square one. But at least I did not lose any money.
    Prayers for Ally and David, for improved health and finances. Prayers for Jill and her students, may they receive understanding of difficult topics through tutoring. Prayers for Robert and Erich as they attempt to grow their relationship through CBT.

  • Jill Posted October 6, 2022 4:40 pm

    Praying for those I dislike opens a space for God to work further in my heart. Likely an area I had previously closed off to Him. I am finding out more and more my prayers are about allowing God to work on me, as opposed to always telling Him what I desire. Laying the concern, the struggle before Him and seeking His stance, how He would have me act/love/move forward.
    This has been a good week at school. More devoted time to those students who are struggling and seeing inklings of confidence and willingness to take risks. I love it.
    Got my second booster shot this morning. So far, I feel just fine. Going to go out for a walk here in a moment, as the temps are in the 70s again. Rain moving in tonight and much cooler tomorrow. A former student and I are attending a local artisan show tomorrow after school. It just didn’t work with her schedule today – unfortunately – since the weather is so beautiful. Will have to be mindful of the time tomorrow, as I have a tennis match at 6:30.

  • Ally Posted October 6, 2022 11:04 pm

    Hopefully, we can come to see that person as God sees. There are some people I have tried to pray for and I have asked God for the willingness to pray for them and wish for them the same good things I wish for myself. But it is so hard. There is so much bitterness. It seems I give my burdens to God and snatch them back. There is a gospel song called He Giveth More Grace. I’m thankful that God extends His children grace. Praying for my friends here v

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