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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

I’ve known many people who have experienced losses (of marital brokenness or other profound pain) who have chosen to just patch themselves up, put their heads down, and “get through it.” And yet . . . what if our good, compassionate God longs for all of us to be on a formational journey toward our true selves and offers us an “on-ramp” to that experience through our pain? Agony is unique in the way it grabs our attention. Typically though, we just want to shut the pain down in the fastest way possible. I can own that I have many strategic, effective ways of numbing mine. On my better days, I’m learning that pain is almost always an invitation.

—Beth Taulman Miller, What Loss Can Teach Us: A Sacred Pathway to Growth and Healing (Upper Room Books, 2021)

Today’s Question

How might “our good, compassionate God” be inviting you toward your true self, even in pain or loss? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Like a parent feels compassion for their children—
that’s how the LORD feels compassion for those who honor him.
—Psalm 103:13 (CEB)

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

If you are interested in this week’s featured book, What Loss Can Teach Us: A Sacred Pathway to Growth and Healing, visit The Upper Room online store and use promo code EVERY15 to receive a 15% discount. Offer ends February 28, 2021.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

5 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted February 1, 2021 6:26 am

    Loss taught me the turning to God is the right thing to do, that God is with me always, there is no one who knows me better, and with God I will make it through every problem. Thankful for replenished resources, bills being paid. Hopeful today’s cooperatively written letter to mental health professionals will result in progress toward problem resolution. Have a winter storm watch in effect, hopeful it will produce improved skiing and snowshoeing conditions. Thankful that vaccinations are taking place, hopeful more efficient delivery and quicker ones are on the way. May safety, in all its forms, well-being, life supporting resources, and needed help of any kind be yours, UR FAMILY, from this day forward. Thank You, Lord,

  • Lou Posted February 1, 2021 7:33 am

    God has taught me through my loss and pain that He is truly enough and He is all I need. Some days test me more than others- but I go to bed every night praying to Him and when I open my eyes each morning I say a prayer to Him to continue to be with me on this journey through life. In Him there is no darkness at all. My faith has been strengthened by my trials.
    The Chicago area received crazy amounts of snow and it is beautiful but I pray for safety for all. Like Robert I pray for the vaccine to reach everyone so that we may get to the other side of this pandemic. Prayers of strength, comfort and peace for all the UR family.

  • Julie Posted February 1, 2021 9:19 am

    I am currently experiencing unimaginable pain. The situation with h wanting to leave me destitute is bad enough, but now trying to reach my lawyer’s husband who is also a lawyer to try to get him to take my case is horrrible. I wonder how God allowed this to happen, that just when my life is imploding I am now adrift with no lawyer through no fault of my own. I know this is not from God and I know that it is also not my lawyer’s fault and I also know that I am spinning out of control but my life is imploding and I am crying to Him “Help me!”
    Sorry all and I continue to pray for each of you…

  • Jill Posted February 1, 2021 5:57 pm

    I am loving this question and may have to purchase this book. I am utterly convinced that God speaks to us in everyday ordinary circumstances, but shouts to us in turmoil, pain and heartbreak.
    Trying to numb ourselves to that – is in a way, I believe, – shutting God out and not letting Him enter into every crevice, every circumstance.
    Father – I don’t know why I have this understanding – but I have it and know, beyond any doubt, there is massive truth in it. You are here, in each storm, and I cling to You.
    Today was a positive day, even with my most trying class. I think today is the first day since December where I have finished the day and felt good about it. It was pleasant to recognize and to just sit there a spell in that feeling. I hope I never again take for granted smooth days where students are engaged in learning and I am just doing my thing – and learning and discovery and growth are taking place. Can’t wait to get back in the classroom – where this is the norm.
    Found out today I will not be receiving the vaccine this week – the district is rolling out the priorities beginning with elementary teachers. Hopefully our district will receive the remainder of the requested allotment next week so I can get it then.
    Father – I lift Julie and her untenable situation to You. May You wrap her in Your ultimate peace, a peace like none other. May it be real for her, Father. Be near.

  • Ally Posted February 1, 2021 8:12 pm

    Job sat in ashes and scraped his sores. His wife asked him why he didn’t curse God and die: just get the pain over with. He didn’t. He kept sitting in the ashes. This is not something I want to do. I want to get it over with. What can I learn from pain? I must be honest and say I’d rather not deal with it. What can God show me about myself through pain? One thing is that when facing the giants, I have trouble trusting God and God’s plans for me. Lord, help me with to trust You and Your plans for me.
    Thanks so much for your prayers for Rachel. She continues to progress. She is no longer on IV pain meds, but gets shots as needed. She hopes to be
    discharged when pain management is better. Thanks also for prayers for David regarding stability. I have an appointment with ophthalmologist tomorrow, as I’ve had some concerning changes in right eye vision. I appreciate your prayers.
    Robert, I continue to pray for you and Erich. praying for positive outcome with mental health professionals. Lou, thank you for your sharing your encouraging thoughts about your faith. Needed that today. Jill, I’m glad to hear you had a good day with your challenging class. Praying you and Larry will have a relaxing spring break. Thank you for you insight into today’s question. Julie, know that I’m praying for your situation. May God hold you And Megan in His loving embrace and give you peace. May God’s angeld guard and keep y’all safe.
    I lift up everyone who is in the path of the snowstorms. I’m thankful there is a plan to distribute more vaccine. May God keep us all safe. Many blessings and love to all.

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