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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 to others’ stories is a gift we offer them. But we also receive a gift as we realize that every story is in some way the story of us all. Despite details and events that make our individual stories unique, there are moments when we recognize our story in the stories of others. Some experience, celebrative event, or difficult moment in another’s story resonates with our story, and we begin to recognize our oneness. People who share their stories become soul friends, bound together in unique ways.

—Richard L. Morgan, Remembering Your Story: Creating Your Own Spiritual Autobiography (Upper Room Books, 2002)

Today’s Question

Have you ever developed a soul friend after listening to each other’s stories? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.
—1 Peter 4:10 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
of Jesus and his glory, of Jesus and his love;
I love to tell the story, because I know ’tis true;
it satisfies my longings as nothing else would do.
(Source: Hymn by Katherine Hankey, 1868)

Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

The Academy Podcast shares rich content for the purpose of spiritual growth, engaging with leaders and friends in conversations that encompass the intersections of art, creativity, spirituality, parenting, antiracism, prayer, protest, and more. Listen deep. Listen wide. Listen here.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

4 Comments

  • Jill Posted September 4, 2020 5:14 am

    This is certainly true for me. Two special people whom God sent along at just the right moment. The one, to walk me through the initial stages of my diagnosis, a path she had walked seven years prior. And then another, one who had cared for her mother, while being concerned about her salvation, even after she passed. These two women – I am humbled that God united us. And, then in His masterpiece – I was able to bring these two women together, as both had daughters who were battling depression to the point of suicidal thoughts and tendencies. And the basis of all our friendships is speaking the guttural truth of the hard, listening well, lamenting to God and praying together.
    The nurse said my incision looked great and should heal up nicely with no scar. Grateful. Continuing to plug away at things with school. Everything must be virtual…including open house next week. So I need a virtual “slide”, “site” and other things – definitely takes time.
    Grateful for a break from it all yesterday, after having my stitches removed I was able to walk around the golf course as my god-daughter played for her high school team at a course near my house. It was a beautiful day and I enjoyed it. She is such an athlete – this is her first year playing golf, and she has picked it up quickly…a natural, really. Of course – golf is a fickle game and she has a long way to go, but her athleticism allows her to have many good shots.

  • Julie Posted September 4, 2020 8:25 am

    I have never experienced this.
    Prayers of thankfulness that Jill’s wound is healing well and with no scar.
    Prayers for Ally and David, may her new business thrive and may he continue to grow stronger and receive help from his doctor to address his sleeplessness.
    Prayers of thankfulness along with Robert over his serendipitous discovery of parts for his model which will allow him to progress further.
    The kittens do not know whether I am friend or foe and run from me a lot because I am the one who disciplines them. They are into and on everything and I must be the one to correct their behavior. I will have to tell Megan that she must do so also if we want well behaved adult cats!
    Prayers, thank you and stay well dear UR

  • April Posted September 4, 2020 8:45 am

    Good Morning Soul Friends. That is how I feel about all of us here at this UR site as we share our stories to each other and pray for each other. I have had other such friends who have offered their homes for me to stay, meals and friendship, tips when orienting to new work locations as I have traveled to new cities. I do not regularly connect with them, but this week I have certainly remembered them and tried to pass on what I learned.
    So glad that everyone is doing well. Almost Labor Day weekend and I lift all employed persons up to God and thank them for their work. Our world depends on so many in order for everything to run smoothly. I was reminded of this when comparing the members of a choir. So many different voices, not competing with each other, but singing in harmony so that the songs sung are a blessing to everyone. Psalm 133 vs 1: How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!
    May God Bless You and pour out his blessings upon you every minute of this day. May you feel His hand upon your shoulder, see His light before you, and know that He is God our Father who loves us beyond measure. You are a Beloved Child of God.

  • robert moeller Posted September 4, 2020 9:16 am

    I’m somewhere between having a soul and not having one and am definitely closer to not having one. I agree with Ally that the UR family comes close to being a soulmate. A beautiful day here, have already been food shopping, and had breakfast with the pastor. The discovery of some special caboose end parts had me quite delighted and there have been other improvements to the model based other parts I found in the scrap pile. Paint and roofing parts have been ordered. Am very thankful that bills are paid. Enjoy your cats Julie, yes there are behaviors that need guidance,. Grateful surgery and treatments are going well Jill. Thank You, Lord.

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