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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

Listening is the first dimension of prayer, because prayer begins with God’s initiative. God’s love comes first; we breathe in that love as we listen. It may seem that prayer begins with our calling out to God, but before we utter a word, the Spirit puts in our hearts a desire to communicate with the Source of our being. God has already been prompting us to pray.

—J. David Muyskens, Sacred Breath: 40 Days of Centering Prayer (Upper Room Books, 2010)

Today’s Question

How is God prompting you to pray today? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.
—Romans 8:26 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Pause to breathe deeply. Fill your lungs with fresh air. Hold that breath briefly. Then release the air you are holding, ridding yourself of the old and making space for the new. And as you breathe, rejoice in the gift of life. Let the rise and fall of your lungs be a celebration of the amazing gift of being alive!
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

For too long Lent has been thought of as a season of self-sacrifice and discipline, but author Max O. Vincent reminds us to approach Easter with JOY in his book Because of This I Rejoice: Reading Philippians During Lent. Use promo code EVERY15 to receive a 15% discount when purchasing this title from The Upper Room online store. Promotion ends February 28, 2021.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

4 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted January 28, 2021 5:46 am

    I’m prompted to pray for everyone here . Reading through posts from the 23rd to now this oasis is overwhelmed. Most affected by the pandemic, the other issues faced are magnified in their intensity. Thankful that you identified and expressed them, that’s helpful to all concerned. God knows and we can pray as we all now know. May peace, safety, well-being, fellowship, support, empathy, care, Christian love be yours in this very tough time when so many are dying and vaccinations are slow. Medical staff are overwhelmed trying to save the sick and immunize the healthy, We are at critical point, I pray deaths decrease and vaccinations increase exponentially.
    Thank You, Lord, for being with us.

  • Julie Posted January 28, 2021 8:44 am

    Remarkably, the thought that popped into my mind when I read today’s prompt was also to pray for those who visit and share here. There has been so much raw sharing here lately and so much needs to be brought before our Father. My heart truly aches for each and every one of you and I pray for you each morning.
    Prayers for Robert and his son as they embark on counseling in order to deepen and strengthen their relationship.
    Prayers for Ally, David and Rachel and their health concerns and their continued recoveries.
    Prayers for Jill and Larry and her students as they all seek to connect with one another. Lord, we all want to feel heard, seen and connected with others, may Jill and her students be led by You to meet these needs creatively during these trying times in education.
    Prayers for Lou and her family as they, too, seek to feel connected with one another and also those in their immediate vicinities.
    Prayers for Mary as she continues to struggle with physical, emotional and financial issues.
    Prayers for Rick as he wanders in the widerness and seeks connection with others and ultimately with You, Lord. Come beside Rick and allow him to feel Your embrace.
    I continue to feel that I am at risk from h. He continues to engage in risky, during a pandemic, behavior and refuses to wear a mask or even keep his distance.

  • Jill Posted January 28, 2021 6:32 pm

    I am compelled to pray for my friend’s brother – who lost his wife to suicide in May. He is still utterly and immovably devastated. This is my friend in Montana and today was the 2nd anniversary of her mom’s passing…my mom’s best friend. We talked for about an hour after I got done with school this afternoon. She is coming to town in a few weeks. Her dad is 94 and really should not be living alone. Her brother is too consumed by grief to properly look after her dad. So she will come back, as she did with her mother, to move in and care take for her father. She is weary of trying to oversee his appropriate care from across the nation and is equally weary of watching her brother (from afar) suffer in his misery of memories, guilt and heartache.
    This week has been incredibly busy and has flown by. I will be going in to school tomorrow – as I have some things to tend to there, being the building treasurer. I will teach my classes from my office.
    Dad has received his appointment for the 2nd dose of the vaccine. A relief.
    Still waiting to hear if I will be vaccinated next week. According to the governor’s list – my school district is to be immunized next week. Our district is so big, many of us are doubtful.

  • Ally Posted January 29, 2021 12:47 am

    I pray Romans 8:26 when I don’t know how to pray. I used to think my prayers had to sound eloquent. I understand now that listening for God’s voice is a more important an aspect of prayer life as eloquence of words. Today God is prompting me to listen , allowing Holy Spirit to show me how to pray. I love you all and lift up your needs and thank you for your prayers. Today has been a very busy day and it is late. I pray all are resting well. Be blessed.

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