Today’s Reflection
If Jesus were to walk the streets of our cities and towns today, I can imagine him saying, “Come to me, all who are lonely, and I will give you friendship.” How would we respond to an offer like this coming from Jesus? Perhaps at first we would be a bit surprised, maybe even startled. Many people believe that Jesus is far more interested in sorting out the sin in our messed-up lives than in sharing in a simple friendship with us. For a long time I thought that way. But I think very differently today. I now believe that Jesus wants to meet us in our loneliness.
—Trevor Hudson, Beyond Loneliness: The Gift of God’s Friendship (Upper Room Books, 2016)
Today’s Question
What difference might it make in your life if you accepted Jesus’ offer of friendship?
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Today’s Scripture
[Jesus said,] “I don’t call you servants any longer, because servants don’t know what their master is doing. Instead, I call you friends, because everything I heard from my Father I have made known to you.”
—John 15:15 (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,” Upper Room Worshipbook
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
In Where We Meet: A Lenten Study of Systems, Stories, and Hope, a collective of church planters and activists invites you to immerse yourself in the stories of Jesus and the early church. Prepare to tackle challenging questions and be emboldened to follow in Jesus’ footsteps, pursuing justice and love for all. Download a free sample and order your copy in time for Lent here.
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
4 Comments
I do, definitely, think of Jesus as my friend walking beside me. I also view Jesus before me, in my husband, as I now am his caregiver 24/7 – and am exhausted. I pray for moments to rest and center myself prayerfully. Lowell needs a bone marrow biopsy very soon, possibly tomorrow, and needs to be positioned for it in a way not typically done, due to his back fracture. Please pray for him and his medical team. Lowell also has some legal affairs to get in order and I pray he will be able to do so in a timely way, before any unexpected crisis. He is stable but fairly weak. I pray for you, my UR friends, may you all have a blessed day.
Prayers for you Andrea and for Lowell – Jesus our friend is surely with you every step of the way – God bless you both
Prayers on the way Andrea. Thank you for asking.
Thinking relationally – that God desires relationship with us – as a loving Father – it changes everything. It changes how we approach Him. It changes how we view ourselves, when we realize He does rejoice over us with singing. Super transformative.
Andrea – praying for the big and small details which you both face in these next few days. May God strengthen you and your reserve. May God direct the medical team. May God’s peace be over Lowell. Father God, be merciful as You hear our prayers.
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