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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

Ministry is the unique way each of us uses our gifts and our energy to share God’s love with the world. This ministerial work can be done at home, at work, or in the marketplace. But before we can do the work of ministry, we first must affirm our identity as ministers, as people who have accepted the call to be servants of love, each in our unique way. Fundraising is one such form of ministry.

—Henri J.M. Nouwen with Nathan Ball, A Spirituality of Fundraising Workbook Edition (Upper Room Books, 2019)

Today’s Question

How has God called you to be a servant of love? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Serve each other according to the gift each person has received, as good managers of God’s diverse gifts.
—1 Peter 4:10 (CEB)

Prayer for the Week

Dear God, show me how to use my talents and my treasures in ways that demonstrate my love for you and for my neighbors. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

Join the Henri Nouwen Society for A Spirituality of Fundraising: For Those Who Give & Raise Funds every Wednesday from February 7–March 6, 2024. This webinar series will bring together fundraisers and philanthropists for honest and rich conversations about spiritual postures and practices for health and sustainability. Register here.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

4 Comments

  • Ally Posted January 15, 2024 9:06 am

    As a caregiver to David, I am called to be a servant of love. Also in my work with persons with diagnoses of mental health issues. I try to serve in love in both theses capacities, but sometimes get caught up in the tasks. I feel the burdens and forget that love is the key concept of servanthood. Lord, help to be mindful of love.
    The extreme cold is on its way to middle Georgia. We won’t see single digits, but high teens next couple of days and low teens come the weekend. No winter precipitation is in the forecast. I’m home today for MLK Day. I plan to catch up on laundry. I will make a special brunch for David and me, maybe biscuits and gravy.
    I pray for those who live on the street and thank shod for the churches and other facilities who have opened their doors. May God keep all safe the next few nights. Jill, I pray that your pain is manageable. Blessings to all on this cold day.

  • Rusty Posted January 15, 2024 9:45 am

    Ally, thank you – for all you do and for your words spoken here. Lord, please bless all who come here and please allow me to echo Ally’s prayers and thoughts about caregiving and work. Prayers also for David.
    My caregiving is for K, now for over 20 years – it honestly doesn’t seem that long, Thank you, Lord,). Our work is daily childcare for four-year-old L and four-month-old I. Thank you, Lord, for this MLK holiday, both to remember a man who changed our country for the better and for our day of rest today as the little ones spend the holiday with their parents who also have this day off to spend with little I and L.

  • Jill Posted January 15, 2024 9:58 am

    God has opened wide the opportunity to enter end of life doula care. Currently, prior to retirement, this will likely be fairly limited. But, with my one hospice care patient, I am hopefully making a difference for an hour or two each visit. I also hope that in spite of my intensity and passion in the classroom – love comes through, despite my high expectations. I like to think of it as tough love…because it is not likely that life will be “easy street”…effort must correlate with reward.
    Have finished up my grading and will do some reading for the remainder of the morning. I have physical therapy this afternoon – must get out in these cold temps. Grateful for a second day of brilliant sunshine.
    I have hung up the birdfeeder in my kitchen window. My previous cat just loved the action. Now these two are taking their turns lying on the window ledge in anticipation. Fun to watch.
    May God be glorified as we serve others with the blessings He has bestowed us with. For we are deeply blessed…financially, with time, talents.

  • Julie Posted January 15, 2024 10:11 am

    Caregiving for h and providing a home and more for Megan. I am finding it very difficult to have any communication from h’s rehab facility. No one answers my phone calls or emails. I have heard nothing for months. With h now in advanced stages of dementia and needing more care and resources I will have to have the difficult conversation with Megan to have her contribute to the household finances. I have no idea when h will be returning home because of lack of communication. Much anxiety is the result as I am unable to plan and have items in place that he will need. Sigh…

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