Today’s Reflection
Over the course of our lives, there’s a bridge we must travel to enjoy our deepest, most fulfilling journey of faith in God. This bridge is a pathway of introspection, slow thinking, and prayer before God’s presence.
After a lifetime of communion with God, a life spent petitioning the Lord for deliverance from “the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel” (v. 4), the psalmist leaves a legacy of faith. His message to us is to trust God throughout the successive phases of life’s journey and the places it takes us.
—Gabby Cudjoe-Wilkes and Andrew Wilkes, Psalms for Black Lives: Reflections for the Work of Liberation (Upper Room Books, 2022)
Today’s Question
How has God sustained you throughout your life?
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Today’s Scripture
O God, from my youth you have taught me,
and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.
So even to old age and gray hairs,
O God, do not forsake me,
until I proclaim your might
to all the generations to come.
—Psalm 71:17-18 (NRSV)
Prayer for the Week
Gracious God of Liberation, free us from our enemies. And when we are the enemies, transform us from oppressing others into removing the yoke from their necks and practicing freedom. In Christ’s name, Amen.
—Prayer from Psalms for Black Lives by Gabby Cudjoe-Wilkes and Andrew Wilkes
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
Engage the Psalms as a contemplative resource in the holy, demanding work of pursuing justice, undoing structural racism, and building a society that truly values Black lives. Learn more about the latest release from Upper Room Books, Psalms for Black Lives: Reflections for the Work of Liberation.
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
4 Comments
Certainly God has sustained me in ways far beyond my understanding, before I knew of God, before my faith in God. It has taken a long time for a closer, yet still imperfect, faith in God to develop. The last 25 years have been the most faith building years of my life, yet they began 53 years ago with decisions I made. In many ways it can be said that it has been a life long growth journey.
By New England standards, far lower than the rest of the US, it has been a hot and humid last few days. Expecting 90s today and tomorrow, possibly some rain. Then a cooler period returns.
A live guest pastor leads worship and celebrates communion tomorrow. Very thankful that he will be with us again in early September.. We are mostly covered for worship until mid October when our certified lay pastor in training becomes our pastor. I am sure the few remaining gaps will be covered. Prayers that the needed healing and recovery for David, Julie, and Jill has taken place. Blessings to all as we approach the 9th Sunday after Pentecost. Thank You, Lord.
Faith has sustained me throughout the years even when I didn’t have the strength to petition His angels and His grace and mercy, I look back and realize God it was you pulling me through 😇.
God has surely been with me every step of the way – the premature death of my father, the premature birth of my daughter, and my divorce and resulting life adjustments in the past few years – all significant and traumatic events that God has surely carried me through. I continue to pray for Gods guidance each day and I am so grateful for His presence each day.
Prayers for all and blessings this day.
When I look back over my life, the only answer to the question of how I am still standing here is God and his providential care.
Piddles has decided to be my constant companion. I believe he senses how very much h stresses me. He lies on the desk beside my elliptical machine as I excercise and than sits on the side of the tub as I shower. If h comes around me Piddles runs into the room quickly positioning himself near me.
Prayers for health and improved finances for Ally and David and for Lewis to recover from his illness. Prayers for Jill’s body to still be well a day after her first foray back on the tennis court following her rest. Prayers for Robert and his church as they continue without a dedicated pastor, may all who have contributed to the leadership role be blessed. Prayers for Lou and her family. Prayers for a new poster, welcome Susan.
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