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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

Let me describe what it means to be truly present. Being present involves letting go of our constant preoccupations, immersing ourselves in the here and now, and giving ourselves wholeheartedly to whatever is at hand. . . . It’s about becoming more aware, alert, awake to the fullness of the immediate moment. If we are with another person, it means engaging with him or her with all of our heart, our mind, our soul, and our strength. Such wholehearted attention requires patience, time, and disciplined effort. And it is one of the greatest gifts that we can give to those around us.

—Trevor Hudson, A Mile in My Shoes: Cultivating Compassion (Upper Room Books, 2005)

Today’s Question

Who needs you to be fully present for them? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king forever.
May the LORD give strength to his people! May the LORD bless his people with peace!
—Psalm 29:10-11 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

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.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

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Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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5 Comments

  • Julie Posted June 28, 2021 8:59 am

    I would say Megan, but she is prickly and hard to get close to. She doesn’t like to discuss feelings, her own or others.
    Megan and I were together yesterday because her dad is still in eagles Mere, his hometown, trying to wade through the massive amount of paperwork and legal issues his mom left for him. He is also trying to go through some of her belongings. His brother has assured him this is not necessary because he is buying the house and will deal with it but still my ex wants to do some. Megan and I went shopping and bought takeout and during the day we got milkshakes from a store that is actually called “The Milkshake Factory!” They have the best shakes! I went to the Syrian store again and bought to many things. But my aunt wanted me to get some of the Syrian ghee so she could use it to make Syrian chicken and rice.
    Prayers for Ally’s job and Ally’s, David’s and Marcy’s health. Prayers for Jill, Larry, Becky and Lou and their friends and families. Prayers for Robert, Pastor Sue and Pastor Carol, may Pastor Sue feel the love and thankfulness of her congregation. I pray the celebration after church was warm and joy filled.
    Thank you for your prayers and God bless all who come here today.

  • Lou Posted June 28, 2021 11:36 am

    All of the people I work with need this and many friends and my family as well- everyone has their challenges even though we may not see them on the surface. I work to be present but it is also draining day after day in the mental health field that is overwhelmed right now. I do love my job however and I do my best- My mother needs my support and always a listening ear and I am willing since I live too far to be of physical assistance to her. My kids need me too and I am always available to them. I’m proud that they are living their lives and are independent but sometimes they still need that listening ear.
    Thankful for friends and family. Thankful for a good job. Thankful no flooding or leaks with the crazy rain amounts we have had. Thankful for opportunities to reconnect and refresh with good friends. Thankful for the prayers from all of you.
    Blessings to all this day.

  • Ally Posted June 28, 2021 1:34 pm

    Certainly David and I need to be fully present for each other for the health of our marriage. I would like to be fully present with all who are in my life. I tend to be easily distracted. I ask God to help me be fully present to those I interact with. Julie, I pray for you and Megan, that you can be fully present with each other. I’m glad you’re having some good days. Your description of the Syrian spices and food items makes me hungry! I pray for Marcy’s health, spirits, and her finances. Praying for Robert and his church during this period of transition. My home church is facing this as well. pastor Jason was such an effective pastor and teacher. Sometimes moving on is hard. Lou, I pray that you can be fully present to the people you serve and to your colleagues. Thank you for what you do for others. David is feeling better and helped me around the house today. I’m thankful he is better. Please pray for our finances. We try to trust God to take care of us. Have a blessed Monday.

  • April Posted June 28, 2021 4:32 pm

    Being fully present via text, phone, email is a challenge because I cannot see the other person’s face. Faces say so much!! Recently I thought I had a handle on the “real” situation but when I was there in person, I realized that I had not “gotten” all of the “realness” in their lives. Sign…they are going through a lot that I did not realize…I will try to understand more with every communication…even when there is no communication for several days.
    The heat wave has hit here, but we have wonderful AC so I do not complain at all. Go for early morning walks, conserve electricity from 4-9 PM when the demands are greatest on the grid, and turn up the thermostat to a higher temp on the AC….go outside and it is cooler when we return to the house, so all is well. May all find ways to keep cool.
    I read that there is Glory Strength available if you ask. It is for times beyond the normal strength we receive from the Holy Spirit. I have felt it recently in the situations I have encountered and it is awesome. I pray you feel Glory Strength when you are singing Blue Notes or having a really challenging day. Blessings dear family. Prayers for each.

  • Jill Posted June 28, 2021 6:39 pm

    Right now my dad needs my full attention when I am with him. My sister and I went for a bike ride today and discussed him, of course. She said he seems lost on days when he doesn’t have something to do. He doesn’t know how to fill his time, other than going for a walk, messing around on the computer, reading the newspapers and mail. We had a nice day today, despite sweltering temps. The bike path was mostly shaded. We also ate lunch outdoors, under an umbrella. We are going to try to bike each Monday.
    Ahhhh – the Milkshake Factory – where they have flavored Lactose-Free milkshakes. What a treasure. I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw it on their board – and the Cookies and Cream one was so very good.

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