X

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

As a young African American child, Anthony Harris, PhD, had few educational opportunities. This was by design. The Jim Crow laws of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, kept his elementary school underfunded and poorly supplied. Then came the summer of 1964. At a Freedom School set up by the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, Harris and friends read books and staged plays. Suddenly blessed with enrichment activities, Harris took guitar lessons from Pete Seeger, the renowned folk singer, who had come to Mississippi to volunteer. . . .

Freedom School “planted a seed in my mind that things are going to change, things are going to be different,” said Harris in a 2014 documentary. “And Freedom Summer helped to give us that courage; it helped to give us that hope.”

—Patricia Raybon, “Summer Epiphanies,” The Upper Room Disciplines 2022: A Book of Daily Devotions (Upper Room Books, 2021)

Today’s Question

What gives you hope when you feel discouraged? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God!
—Psalm 42:5-6 (NLT)

Prayer for the Week

Dear God, inspire us to always seek you. Help us to fight racism and to demonstrate your love for all people. Amen. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

Participate in our next eCourse based on J. Dana Trent’s book One Breath at a Time: A Skeptics Guide to Christian Meditation. This eCourse will offer basic instruction in five approaches to meditation: breath meditation, lectio divina, centering meditation, loving-kindness meditation, and devotional meditation. Receive a discount of 15% off the original price if you register before June 30, 2022. Register today!

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

4 Comments

  • Julie Posted June 15, 2022 8:40 am

    Honestly, lately nothing. I just slog through each day and deal with each situation as it arises. I did find a support group for Parkinson’s caregivers that meets once a month. This month’s meeting has passed, but there is a contact name and phone number. I am in a unique situation though as there are many years of animosity on both our parts which makes our interactions fraught.
    Prayers for Ally, may God provide a new job opportunity quickly and may he heal her heart. Prayers for April, for physical, emotional and mental strength. Prayers for Jill and the tennis program participants as the weather in our area is so hot a heat advisory has been issued, may they stay safe. Prayers for Lou and her family and Rick and Scott. Prayers for Robert and his church laity as they continue to make sure the church remains a vibrant contributer to their community despite the lack of traditional leadership.

  • Ally Posted June 15, 2022 10:45 am

    I keep my hope through reading encouraging scriptures, praying for others, and through the support and prayers of my friends. God has spoken through the happenings of the last few days. I had the courage to set firm boundaries with the former friend with whom I was working. My family does not need the toxicity she put out. I wish her well and pray she finds healing and wholeness. I pray she will move forward, but it will be without me. Please pray for her children. We are taking this week to regroup and pray for wisdom. I have more appointments coming up. David is doing ok and has been referred for physical therapy to build strength. Need to speak with attorney this week as well.
    robert, I found an article on Jenny and I am impressed with her work. Congrats to her on receiving the Drama Desk Award. Quite an honor. Glad to hear Anneliese is home. Julie, prayers for your continued journey with H and that he won’t give much pushback about the money. Jill, prayers for tennis camp and for your partner. Prayers continue for Lou and her family, For April as she cares for her loved one, and for Rick and Scott, as they go forward with God.
    Please continue to remember my friend Kenny’s family. We are all taking his loss hard. But he was a believer and one day, there will be a glad reunion.
    Blessings to all, my dear ones.

  • robert moeller Posted June 15, 2022 12:13 pm

    I believe that God made me an optimist. I wrote a post and when another post arrived, my post vanished. I support the prayers written by Julie and Ally. Stay cool as best you can, special prayers for those without electricity. God sustains us in every situation when we focus on God, wisdom comes and enables action. Thank You, Lord.

  • Jill Posted June 15, 2022 3:20 pm

    I turn to the Psalms or Lamentations 3 when I need encouragement. I also will go back through some of my meager journal entries. For there to have been an entry – I must have been significantly moved. Also – my innermost circle of friends can be a “pick me up”.
    Robert – many congrats to your daughter on her award. Julie – I am glad you have found a support group. If they can be of any assistance to the degree my support group is – it will be a blessing. Ally – seems like you have made a wise choice regarding your job. Praying you receive the wisdom you are asking for. Also, prayers for Kenny’s family and friends in this new space.
    Very very warm, almost dangerously so, this morning at tennis camp. We had a parent bring about 10 boxes of popsicles and that was the fastest the kids moved – to the popsicle line. They were pretty lethargic, and hard to blame them. The boys are more into it than the girls – there were so many red faces. One more day tomorrow – and still very very warm. It was good to get home, shower and take a long nap in the air conditioning.
    Stopped in to school to take care of some treasurer stuff. Tennis this evening. Our singles player is out of town, so I drew the short straw. Not really – I offered to fill in as needed. Thankfully we are playing in an air conditioned facility.

Add Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *