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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

This love is the root of the tree of the soul—and our life in God. We cannot have life in God—neither in this life nor in the next—without agape. Just as a tree needs water to survive, our soul cannot survive without this love.

—Christopher Maricle, Deeply Rooted: Knowing Self, Growing in God (Upper Room Books, 2016)

Today’s Question

What experience of God’s love does your soul need today? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Dear friends, let’s love each other, because love is from God, and everyone who loves is born from God and knows God.
—1 John 4:7 (CEB)

Prayer for the Week

God, give me the humility to know that I am a growing work in progress. Give me grace and understanding to see the growth in those around me. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

God is weaving a tapestry of love and redemption for all the world, and each person’s story is part of that tapestry. God Was with Me All Along by Mary Lou Redding guides you to look at your life and reflect on how God has been present in all its ups and downs. Learn more here.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

2 Comments

  • Jill Posted April 30, 2023 3:37 pm

    Immanuel – His very essence as presence, with me. I am grateful for this. Both church services today spoke to me…Him speaking to me via His presence and Spirit – the need for forgiveness…to extend it generously. A new insight was provided – our ability to extend forgiveness speaks to the level we have felt our own forgiveness from our Heavenly Father. Recognizing my desperation and need of Him, this will give me the ability to openhandedly extend forgiveness to another.
    A few weeks back – my sister had some stern words for me and it really triggered where we were just prior to mom and dad’s diagnoses. I had never been triggered before. And it was a pretty profound experience. In the midst of all the feelings I was able to be grateful that it had been 5+ years since the incident and also, deep gratitude for how God has changed my heart and mended our relationship.
    After lunch with dad yesterday and a few errands, I stopped and visited my aunt, who had a stroke a few weeks back. Her speech is much better. She is in physical therapy as well as speech therapy.

  • robert moeller Posted April 30, 2023 7:14 pm

    Lots of tough questions this week. Jesus is the answer. It was a full of surprises time at church today. Thankful I was able to respond.
    Had a good birthday party for my friend Russ. An important meeting at behavioral health tomorrow. Hope there is positive results. Will try to remove the old microwave and install the new one.
    Jill, you certainly have many deep spiritual experiences. I’m thankful for them. Thank You, Lord

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