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

My experience has been that sinners respond a lot better to compassion than to self-righteousness. Because compassion is not understood as an emotion in the way love is, then feeling compassion is rightly seen (as love ought to be) as a choice, an attitude that is taken up with purpose and intention and held despite lapses, roadblocks, and difficulties. Compassion chosen in this way then becomes another form of spiritual practice, like meditation that is incredibly simple and endlessly difficult.

—Melissa Tidwell, in Compassion: Thoughts on Cultivating a Good Heart, compiled and introduced by Amy Lyles Wilson (Fresh Air Books, 2008)

Today’s Question

What helps you choose compassion? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.
—Colossians 3:12 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

God,
With my eyes, I choose to see with compassion. With my hands, I choose to give and touch with compassion. With my feet, I choose to go where I can deliver compassion. With my heart, I choose to love with great compassion.

(Pause for a minute of silence and imagine how you can show compassion today.)

Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

The Upper Room’s RESILIENCE: Healing Practices for Mind, Body, and Spirit is just around the corner, September 30-October 2, 2021. This online event will be a time of reflection and interaction, and an introduction to spiritual tools that you can use in your own healing journey or the healing journey through which you lead others. Register today.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

3 Comments

  • Julie Posted September 13, 2021 8:57 am

    It seems to be my natural response to others, even those who do not treat me well I can sometimes feel compassion towards. There is of course one that is an outlier in this, but for most, compassion is my natural go to.
    Megan and I had alovely day together. The weather was wonderful and we crossed many things off our to do list. We enjoyed ice cream and browsing books at both a library book sale and a large book retailer who was also having a sale on certain items. It was wonderful to provide support to the library and I added to our total to provide for them further. As you can tell, Megan and I are avid readers.
    Prayers for Ally and David, for improved health and a positive response to the disability application, prayers for Jill’s and her students’ safety from physical harm and the coronavirus, prayers for Lou’s heart to be less lonely and for her daughter’s mental health, prayers for Robert as he continues to glory in God’s creation as he walks to maintain his health and prayers for Marti and her staff. Thank you for your prayers and kind words and may God bless all who visit here.

  • Jill Posted September 13, 2021 11:21 am

    Christ’ example and the Spirit’s ongoing transformation of my heart lead me to exist and act in compassion. It is more and more becoming my default – which is a good thing. Of course, there are times and triggers, when I need to be intentional.
    Ally – thank you for what you shared yesterday – it was very meaningful…”Perhaps one hasn’t moved forward until one can look back without resentment.” That is powerful. I can think back to circumstances in my life where this was true. Yes, was true. And I am grateful. Again – this makes me think of my mom. She could never move past her first son-in-law and how he treated Becky. It ate her alive – as unaddressed sin can.
    Our school system has a vast shortage of subs and daily staff is asked to cover classes during free period or lunch. I got asked to cover a class today and was dreading it. I imagined it to be a class of 30+ students. What a most pleasant surprise to arrive to 6 students in an honors class! I lucked out, and am appreciative. We get paid for this, but for the past several years have never been asked to do it. Usually the secretary sends out a general SOS and teachers volunteer. I received a phone call during class to cover this and agreed. Figured she was desperate.
    Open House is this evening – so a long day. I will run out and get some food and bring it back to the building to eat.
    I spoke too soon about Roger. He got very sick following dinner. I take full responsibility as I gave him some food which I shouldn’t have. He was curled up in a chair the rest of the night. But he seemed better this morning. I must be more diligent regarding his diet. Poor little guy. But, I do think it is a food allergy of some type and I need to continue to pay attention and figure out the parameters of his diet.

  • robert moeller Posted September 13, 2021 2:27 pm

    Think God gave me a propensity for compassion in any way that is possible. Advocacy, time, labor, financial resources, and prayer are ways I am compassionate. Wish I could do more. So very glad to read posts from others. I had a very busy morning and fell asleep after lunch. Just woke up. Prayers fir Roger, can sympathize with Jill covering classes. I’m not a voracious reader, but can have fun in a bookstore or library. Hard copy is still precious to me in this online age.So glad to read Julie and Megan had a grand time. Prayers for Ally & David, sure hope financial help is forthcoming and health returns. I add my prayers for Lou and her daughter, the UR-NEM staff, and all who come to NEM. Thank you all for your prayers, tonight is the first Faith After Doubt UMC New England Coference Zoom meeting. I hope my nap helps me be awake for all of it. Thank You, Lord for Your
    ever presence.

Add Comment

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