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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

Most of us have people in our lives whom we do not like or who do not like us. Enemies are those toward whom we feel hostile and who sometimes feel hostile toward us. Often our enemy can be within our own family, just like it was for Cain. Through the question “Where is your brother?” God invites us to recognize that we have a responsibility toward that person. We take our first step in choosing to acknowledge this when we begin to see our enemy as our brother or sister.

—Trevor Hudson, Questions God Asks Us (Upper Room Books, 2008)

Today’s Question

How can seeing an enemy as brother or sister change your perspective? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

“But I say to you who are willing to hear: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who mistreat you.”
—Luke 6:27-28 (CEB)

Prayer for the Week

God, help me hear what you are asking of me.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

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Lectionary Readings

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6 Comments

  • Jill Posted June 10, 2020 5:51 am

    Transformation within the heart is needed by the supernatural power of God. To love one’s enemies, to fully forgive, to see each person as one created in the image of God – these are not possible without the help of our Triune God. He will faithfully work this in us when we confess our weakness and inability to Him and surrender. It takes lots of examination and re-surrendering.
    As we continue to take in all that is involved with the injustice of Mr. Floyd – I must ask myself what role am I playing in systemic racism? Do I get a pass because I have taught inner city youth for 25 years? By no means. Again, time before Him – asking Him to search my heart and make known to me where my faults lie, and to cleanse me and make me like His Son.
    My stomach has continued to be a problem and now I am doubting that it is a gluten thing as I have been avoiding it for several days. I have a virtual appointment with my specialist tomorrow morning. I am weak, unable to run or play tennis. I am supposed to golf this morning with my dad and his cousin. Hoping my stomach will be on its best behavior and that, despite the heat and my overall lethargy, I will be able to golf with them. Dad’s cousin joins us once a summer to golf – so I want to be able to do this.
    Father – the concerns of this space are many, as are the praises. May You continue to be glorified in our lives and may we give You the praise and honor You are due. Please be with Rick, as he faces this move, in the midst of so much uncertainty. Strengthen and assure him, lead Him by still waters and restore his soul. I praise You that David was released from the hospital. Continue to sustain him and Ally on this long road of recovery. I pray for Marcy – that there will be relief from the pain and treatment to get to the source of her issues. Thank You for her vibrant spirit and encouragement she shares here, despite her struggles. The same can be said for Julie – You are sustaining her daily. May her lawyer work efficiently and effectively on her behalf. May she and Megan comfort each other as they tend to Chai, may this little one’s suffering be minimal.
    Father – I also lift up those who are more absent than usual…Connie, Andrea and Robert. May they know the comfort of Your Presence.

    • Marcy Posted June 10, 2020 8:55 am

      Jill, my friend, I often pray with the Saints when praying intercessory prayers. This would be Erasmus of Formia, better known as Saint Elmo. He is also one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, and is especially venerated as an intercessor. One of his patronages is for abdominal pain. I am familiar with this Saint due to my own issues in this area since 2004. I am praying for you.
      🙏❤🙏❤🙏

  • Julie Posted June 10, 2020 8:49 am

    Everyone knows my enemy and unfortunately ,though I have asked many times to for the ability to see him as a child of God, I do not. My lawyer has advised me to file a report with the police. She is writing a letter on my behalf to our old employer as well as his current one to let them know of the forged documents. I would like to give him an ultimantum: either I report their crimes to the police or he agrees to many conditions such as turning all assests over to me and giving me everyhing in his will. I should be his beneficiary and my lawyer continues to express shock that I am not and complete strangers are.
    Prayers for Jill and her suffering. I understand your pain and frustration and I am sorry your issues have not resolved. I pray that your doctor can provide relief and insight. God please allow Jill a repieve this morning so she can attend golf with her cousin.
    Prayers of joy and thanksgiving that David is home once again. May he and Ally grow strong and well together.
    Prayers for Marcy and Lucy, may both receive care and services and relief from pain and suffering soon. Thank you for the novena dear sister. I prayed it with Megan yesterday. This morning Chai is insatiable and finally I just stopped feeding him so I could eat my own breakfast!
    Prayers for Rick, his husband and LC. May LC continue to rally. God be with Rick throught this transition, steadying him and giving him your peace and strength.
    Prayers, thank you and good health dear UR one and all

    • Marcy Posted June 10, 2020 9:07 am

      It may not be proper for me to feel this, dear sister, Julie, but I am overjoyed that you and your lawyer are taking steps to handle the iniquities of h! I feel God has had His hand at work and the waiting is coming to an end. I really just cannot put into words how proud I am of your courage and bravery. Thanks be to God in the highest heavens!

      You are most welcome for the prayers for Chai (and Tazzie, also). I am on Day 3 of the novena for sweet Chai, your precious beauty. The prayer that I copied and posted yesterday, is followed by one “Our Father,” three “Hail Mary’s” and five “Glory Be’s,” in case you want to include them. Sending you lots and lots of prayers anchored in God’s Love, my dear one!
      💌🙏❤🙏❤🙏⚓🔱❤🐱❤🐈❤😇

  • Ally Posted June 10, 2020 2:30 pm

    Family means more than blood. I have family with whom I share no DNA. My understanding of scripture tells me that God considers all of us God’s children. That means there are member of God’s family with whom I prefer to not interact. Whether I like it or not, it is my job as a Christ-follower to love, because all are family. I ask God today to let loving those who are hard to love, be my labor of love. Amen.
    David re-started physical therapy today. He has been worried that his hospital stay would be a major setback in his recovery. It has been more of a bump in the road. We are trying to be proactive in making sure he stays well and continues to progress. We have seen the power of prayer and the power of God.
    Jill I will be much in prayer for your health and pray you get answers and relief soon. I pray your quality of life returns to where you can do the things you love to do. Marcy, continued prayers for your health: that you will find relief for pain and swelling and for your Lucy Lou to continue well. Thank you so much for your faithfulness in prayer. Julie, I agree with Marcy in that I am thankful that you have consulted your attorney regarding h’s actions. I feel you are doing the right thing. I’m so happy to hear that Chai is eating well. Prayers that he and Tazzie have more time together. Prayers continue for these babies. Rick I lift up you and your husband as well, that you will find peaceful ways to manage the stress of your move. prayers also that LC adjusts to the new situation as well. Lifting up BJ, Robert, Andrea, April, Lou and the other regulars. praying they are well and that we hear from them soon. Lord, in Your great mercy, hear our prayers. Blessings to all.

  • Rick Posted June 10, 2020 11:05 pm

    Greetings,
    This was a difficult subject for me in early sobriety. We have to be tough and fearless… setting to paper our resentment inventory; resentment with people, principles and institutions. At first it seems easy, until we find that our actions are the cause, and we then have to attempt amends with those we may have harmed or hurt physical or mentally. It’s where my faith in God was key and when I first had to pray for willingness, and to have a Heart of forgiveness. We don’t make amends to those that have physically abused us in person. We are encouraged to seek outside help for those situations that caused us deep physical and emotional pain. It took time with the help of a sponsor that prayed with me and guided me. That was indeed a blessing. Some amends took longer than others, but I knew a new peace and closeness to God.
    I thank you all for your heartfelt words and prayers. Jill, I’m praying you are able to find the source of your GI issues and that they will resolve quickly. Especially, now that you are beginning to enjoy activities with your Dad, family, and tennis partners. Marcy, you are a treasure and amazing prayer warrior. I pray that you are able to seek medical attention soon. Call your vet and see if they could come do a home visit, or pick up and drop off. Our vet offers this service to those in need. I’m praying for Lucy Lou and you.🙏🏻🙏🏻☺️💕Julie, I pray that you continue to be strong, have courage in dealing with h, and allow the lawyers to represent you. I pray you and Megan are safe and God places an exta hedge of protection around you both. May Chai continue to gain strength and his appetite increase. Ally, I am keeping you and David in my thoughts and prayers. I pray that David will continue to gain strength and the medication will boost his outlook. I pray you will be able to have some time for self care too. Keeping all our brothers and sisters here in prayer, Robert, Andrea, April, Lou, and BJ, as well as the UR staff for the Blessing and opportunities found here.

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