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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

Adorning the walls of my pastoral study are pictures of such icons as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Malcolm X. Also included is a picture of three young people shielding themselves from authorities who are force-spraying them with fire hoses in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1963. Emblazoned above the image of the three young people is COURAGE. Surely it took great courage to stand for justice in those days.

Truthfully, even today, it takes courage to stand up for justice in its various expressions: economic, educational, environmental, human rights, and the list goes on. … In reminiscing over the courage of previous generations anchored by their faith in God and in sharing these stories, I pray that we too will rise within this generation to meet the challenges of our day.

—Michael W. Waters, Freestyle: Reflections on Faith, Family, Justice, and Pop Culture (Fresh Air Books, 2014)

Today’s Question

Why do you think people struggle to have the courage to stand for justice? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Hope in the Lord!
Be strong! Let your heart take courage!
Hope in the Lord!
Psalm 27:14 (CEB)

Prayer for the Week

Dear God,
Help my generation rise to meet the challenges of our day with courage and integrity. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

Through rich and moving stories of people from various faiths, author Frank Rogers Jr. shows ways to incorporate compassion in our daily lives. Start practicing compassion with Rogers in our Academy Recommends eCourse.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

Save 45% on Disciplines 2021 and get free shipping with the promo code DISC45. Good only for the regular and enlarged-print editions and while supplies last.

 

4 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted June 23, 2021 6:16 am

    There are so many pressures from society that having courage, finding courage to stand up for what is just is a difficult thing to do. What does that say about society? If society was just would courage be required? There are in my opinion many positive changes, but they also stand out among the changes that still need to be made.
    A very nice summer day, sunshine but no heat and humidity. Windows open, no need for AC.
    Progress resolving who will provide propane this coming year, painting on the Brill car is progressing as well. Have a new Bible study book selected, will find out soon what our group has chosen. Pastor Sue retires this Sunday and Pastor Carol leads us starting July 4th.

  • robert moeller Posted June 23, 2021 6:46 am

    Made my Wednesday catch up with comments search and am glad to know how all of you are doing.
    Lots of family and friends gatherings in homes, restaurants, ice cream shops, golf courses,tennis courts, libraries, and stores. Prayers always for health, well-being, and job searches. Pastor Sue lead two churches 3 miles apart , when one closed she continued. She has been a pastor in this community for 20 years. and worked as a nurse for 17 years before that. She will remain in “the valley” as a hospice pastor and mentor to new pastors. Thankful you all share what is going on in your churches and the support groups to which you belong. We share similar attitudes on how these are doing. Thank You, Lord, for the people who gather here.

  • Julie Posted June 23, 2021 8:37 am

    It can be difficult to stand up for good because it often means doing something that is new to us and unpopular to the masses. But this is exactly what Jesus did and asks us to do. God asked many in the Old Testament to also go beyond their limits and trust them as they confronted enemies and evil and wrong thinking. We should do no less.
    My mom called early this morning to tell me that she has been told she has been deemed to be”independent.” Apparently this means she no longers needs nursing aid to take a shower etc. She was then told that the insurance usually releases you quickly after this upgrade. She is thrilled because she does not want to spend another “boring weekend in this place.”
    Prayers for Ally’s job and health as well as David’s health. Prayers for Jill and her family as they navigate sometimes delicate family relationships. Prayers for Lou and her friends, as they visit may they be safe. Prayers for Marcy’s health and finances. Prayers for Robert, Pastor Sue and Pastor Carol. May Pastor Sue enjoy a fulfilling and well deserved retirement. Thank you for your prayers and God bless all who visit this warm home of believers and friends.

  • Jill Posted June 23, 2021 7:49 pm

    I think fear is behind a person’s decision to not stand up for what should be supported. Pride, too. It is so very sad the level of judgmentalism which exists. I, too, must take my part of the blame.
    I was very encouraged seeing my former student athlete. She is always positive and gregarious. She has a CAT scan next week – and is hoping for a good report. If indeed it is good, she should have a really good prognosis. She is doing much better now that chemo treatments are two months in the past. She is working from home, well – her parents’ home, as she has moved back in with them.
    Also played tennis this afternoon on a very comfortable summer afternoon. Generally it would be too warm to do this and enjoy it, but not today. This evening I attended my god son’s summer league basketball games. When I got there, my best friend’s mom had missed a step on the bleachers and hurt her foot. I was able to follow them back to her house, and then take my friend back to the games. My friend really struggles with patience where her mom is concerned. It was good we had a few moments to talk and decompress.
    Warmer temps return tomorrow and dad and I hit the links again in the AM.

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