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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

Note: This week’s New Every Morning is structured differently to follow the format of our featured title, Rally: Communal Prayers for Lovers of Jesus and Justice, which addresses issues of social justice through a compilation of reflections and call-and-response prayers known as litanies.

Hope filters into the equation when someone sitting in the audience sees themselves represented on stage for the first time or when someone in the crowd who doesn’t think they will identify with my characters gets rocked by the multitude of ways they connect to the narrative being told. Hope reminds both the actors and audience that they are not alone. We all are connected by universal human need and struggle.

—Zhailon Levingston, “Hope: A Litany Claiming That Another World Is Possible and On Its Way,” Rally: Communal Prayers for Lovers of Jesus and Justice, edited and compiled by Britney Winn Lee (Fresh Air Books, 2020)

Today’s Question

When have you experienced hope in unexpected ways? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Surely there is a future,
and your hope will not be cut off.
—Proverbs 23:18 (NRSV)

Today’s Litany

ONE: We are made to collaborate with those around us to build deeper connections and sustainability around new ways of doing life together.

ALL: Another world is possible and on its way.

ONE: We are making space in our world for doubt and uncertainty by calling out fear and isolationism.

ALL: Another world is possible and on its way.

ONE: This is the truth about us. It always has been and always will be.

ALL: A new world is both here and arriving. We wait for it, usher it, greet it as a hopeful people. Amen.

Zhailon Levingston, “Hope: A Litany Claiming That Another World Is Possible and On Its Way”
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

The final litany from Rally was written by Britney Winn Lee in the beginning days of the global pandemic. This prayer reminds us that hope endures; goodness prevails; people surprise us; and love cannot, has not, will not fail. Watch and listen.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

Transfiguration Sunday

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

4 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted February 23, 2022 6:09 am

    Not 100% sure of this, but the fact that my son looked to the Poconos in PA might be a sign of hope.
    No place can offer the same features as another, but there are many very close, and even some better features offered by the Poconos. We’ll see how things work out, I’m glad there is an option that gives hope. A meeting with our District Superintendent tonight and soon the annual condo association meeting , both via ZOOM. Lenten study book on the way, lots of hymns, they talk to me.
    Prayers for Julie’s digestion, access to their Mom’s house for Ally and her sister, Larry’s move to FL,
    Roger’s diabetes treatments, and taking care of schoolwork for Jill. A winter storm and subsequent flooding warnings have been given. High in the 50s today. Discovered a measurement error so have to redraw one side of the train station. I was off by 6 feet. Thankful for the resources that keep us going, God is with us always. Thank You, Lord.

  • Julie Posted February 23, 2022 8:01 am

    Right now I am not feeling very hopeful. I will call my doctor soon because I fear I have to go back to hospital.
    Prayers for all my friends here and the issues on your hearts.

  • Jill Posted February 23, 2022 12:32 pm

    I don’t think I have a firm answer to this…in terms of “hope”. What was unexpected and such a vast encouragement was when I started with my first small group. In my mind I had negative and cynical views of what members of a small group would be like, how they would act, what the conversation would be like. I totally missed it – and so grateful. What I found was a safe space, transparency and intentional listening with thoughtful reflection before reaction. I saw maturity and Christ-likeness. I pray that others find me to be this way in my current small group.
    Dad sent me a picture from the beach today. He and my sister and brother-in-law traveled a couple hours to join my mom’s sister and brother-in-law at the beach we always met at in February. Disappointed to not be with them, but grateful they are all healthy and can be together. Looks positively glorious. Glad I was able to be there in November.
    A doctor’s appointment after school and then small group this evening. Feeling sluggish as I was late to bed last night after tennis. Another later than usual night tonight with small group study. Luckily, nothing on the docket Thursday or Friday evenings. Should be able to get home, feed Roger and give him his shot before I have to leave for my doctor’s appointment.

  • Ally Posted February 23, 2022 5:00 pm

    There have been times when everything felt hopeless and God has used a small thing: a child’s grin, a person with challenges who does not give up, the bluebird couple building a nest in our neighbor’s bluebird house. All those things can bring a glimmer of hope. So can a scripture passage I have read dozens of times and something new jumps out of it. Or when the UR devotional of the day addresses something I’m dealing with. Thank You Lord, for these glimmers and for teaching me.
    I got a call today from the state office for disability adjudication, advising they need more info regarding My mental health. My friend who used to work for this office advised me on how to answer and that hopefully, the case adjudicator will recommend a psychological evaluation. I’m glad my anti spam software on my phone sent the call to my voicemail so I could ask about the most appropriate way to answer. Please continue to lift up this process. Also, I have a lot of anger and resentment toward David’s ex and her husband. Right now, I do not have what it takes to extend them grace and forgive. I know I need to forgive because it will bring me peace.
    Robert, good to hear that Erich is considering a move to the Poconos in a positive way. Praying the meeting with DS is fruitful.
    Julie, I lift you up and am praying for your healing and that you can be treated at home and do not have a hospital stay.
    Jill, I too have enjoyed and grown through meetings with a small group. Glad Larry is enjoying the beach. Prayers continue for Roger and I pray that you get enough rest.
    Thanks to all for your prayers for us. Blessings to you.

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