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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

In his striking image of the vine and the branches, Jesus speaks of how our lives need to be pruned by God. Those parts of our lives that lead us to resist Jesus’ way of love have to be stripped away. …

This pruning usually occurs when we experience hardship and humiliation. Through difficult times, we are challenged to recognize God’s pruning hand. Only then will we be accepting of God’s cleansing work in our lives instead of resisting it.

—Trevor Hudson, Pauses for Lent: 40 Words for 40 Days (Upper Room Books, 2015)

Today’s Question

When have you endured difficult seasons that felt like God’s pruning? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

“[The Father] removes every branch in me that bears no fruit.
Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit.”
—John 15:2 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Holy God, as I walk through this Holy Week, help me to remember all that Jesus experienced in the last week of his life. Guide me to remember his greatest sacrifice, and help me as I seek to follow Jesus. Thank you for your great love. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

This Holy Week, join us on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. (CT), for prayer and worship in The Upper Room Chapel. Also, on Maundy Thursday, we will also release a new video reflection on The Last Supper Woodcarving in honor of The Upper Room Chapel’s 70th Anniversary. Join us on Facebook and YouTube.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

Maundy Thursday

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

2 Comments

  • Julie Posted April 6, 2023 9:36 am

    Constantly was the first thought that came to mind. I have been through so much, from childhood through the rest of my life. All different scenarios.
    Megan is having some issues with a cowrorker and each were going to the Human Resources Department this morning. I have a phone conference about a grossly incorrect reassessment of my house. Busy day.

  • Jill Posted April 6, 2023 2:22 pm

    I feel like many of those pruning seasons were experienced prior to me developing my mature relationship with Him. Perhaps, now, I can see the usefulness and faithfulness of these “growing” seasons in current life.
    Dad and Don should be at the airport, getting ready to head north. I have to get my car worked on. Then will run and errand or two and head to the airport.
    Have made it to spring break. What a good feeling.

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