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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

Whenever I find myself thinking that I am an expert on poverty or that people who are poor need my knowledge, I remember that Jesus has more wisdom than I do. Imagine how our relationships with people who are food insecure would change if we assumed they have skills, knowledge, and a particular approach to the world. We must remind ourselves that Jesus is in every person we serve.

—Elizabeth Mae Magill, Five Loaves, Two Fish, Twelve Volunteers: Growing a Relational Food Ministry (Upper Room Books, 2020)

Today’s Question

How would your ministry change if you assumed those you serve have been equipped with gifts to offer? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Are any of you wise and understanding? Show that your actions are good with a humble lifestyle that comes from wisdom.
—James 3:13 (CEB)

Prayer for the Week

God is great!
God is good!
Let us thank God for our food.
Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

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Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

4 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted September 20, 2022 6:04 am

    My answer to yesterday’s question
    . Yes, Julie having a cell phone and internet assumes we are not poor. We could have been poor, but circumstances changed . Growing up I was not poor, my family’s needs were met by hard work and careful use of resources. Today’s question. Go on a mission trip and you will learn how much those you are serving know. You will be humbled. Spiritual wisdom has no monetary price tag and yet it is of supreme value.
    It was a long day yesterday, up at 3 am to watch the Queen’s funeral and commital. I’m in the awkward position of disliking the concept of monarchy and being distantly related to one of the best monarchs through her mothers family.
    While we can have both good or bad rulers in a democracy or a monarchy, I believe I people should chose their leaders with God’s guidance.
    Blessings and prayers for the NEM family Thank You, Lord.

  • Julie Posted September 20, 2022 9:20 am

    As it seems that Robert was confused regarding my answer to yesterday’s question, I shall clarify. My answer is that this and all the other reflections offered here assume that we are not nor ever have been the one in need. They all assume that we have the abundance to give and have never experienced the other side. Having been raised in abject poverty, I know first hand that even the poor of earthly resources have the ability to possesss in abundance those given and revered by God.
    My statement yesterday regarding computers and cell phones was in regards to h. He has been evaluated by authorities in aging who determined that he is too susceptable to outside influence to be trusted with any device that could be used by nefarious iindividuals to contact him.
    Prayers for Ally and David’s healing. Prayers for Jill and her colleagues while they offer support to their students during the memorial service. Prayers for Robert and Erich as they continue to participate in CBT in order to mend their relationship.

  • Ally Posted September 20, 2022 3:49 pm

    I think of the phrase “knowledge is power” and hope I don’t ever assume I’m the one with all the knowledge. As a therapist and corrections counselor, I like to think the people I served taught me more than I taught them. God used many of them to teach and to bless me. Often the work was humbling. I learned I didn’t have all the answers.
    David is working on using his cane. He needs a lot of encouragement because of his fear of falling again. I’m thankful my back and neck pain is less today and I was able to clean my kitchen and pick up around the house. Yesterday was a bad day, pain wise. Lots of blessings, though: a clean house and enough energy to clean up kitty messes, a good visit with my sister and our friend over the weekend. I was very depressed the day they left. Always am when Amy leaves. Blessings also on dear friends and their prayers and encouragement.
    My prayers lift my NEM friends and the things on their hearts. I found many blessings and uplifting moments in Queen Elizabeth’s funeral and committal services. My British friends say she has been a constant in their lives and it is hard to imagine life without her. I feel she was a true Christian who desired to serve others.

  • Jill Posted September 20, 2022 5:31 pm

    If we looked for and encouraged those we serve to find their strengths – I believe we would come off more humbly and present an atmosphere for teamwork and cooperation. We must demonstrate an authentic interest and be willing to help bring about positivity in others’ self worth.
    A two hour meeting after school – was somewhat useful and didn’t seem to drag on. Tough to have a long day today, knowing tomorrow will be very emotional. I am going to go out for a walk here in a minute, later than usual, but feel it will be good for me to move about.
    My colleague’s calling hours are at the same funeral home as mom’s service was. It is the first time I will be back there since mom’s. Hoping it is ok, I feel like I am bracing myself for the emotions which will likely come. I’m trusting God for strength and for the right words and the appropriate silence when comforting current and former students.

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