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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

When we place excessive restrictions upon ourselves, they become burdens. But when we honor God’s commands, we strengthen our faith. And as our faith becomes stronger, we feel less burdened and lighter, freer. When we think of the stone tablets, we also can think of the Styrofoam tablets and the lightness and freedom we can experience in our faith in Christ, which frees us from the burden of the law and empowers us to fulfill it.

—Angela D. Schaffner, Revealed: What the Bible Can Teach You About Yourself (Upper Room Books, 2019)

Today’s Question

What helps you view God’s commands as light rather than burdensome? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

This is the love of God: we keep God’s commandments. God’s commandments are not difficult, because everyone who is born from God defeats the world. And this is the victory that has defeated the world: our faith.
—1 John 5:3-4 (CEB)

Prayer for the Week

Holy Spirit,
Search me and make me teachable.
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.

3 Comments

  • Jill Posted September 13, 2020 6:16 am

    Because I love God and desire to serve Him and see His Kingdom come – His commands are pathways to glorifying Him. They are also the way to receive His transformative grace in my life. Working in conjunction with Him, this provides the possibility of more of His peace.
    The weather held up just fine yesterday. I was able to tend to my yard before it became too warm. Got schoolwork done and then to the early dinner with the tennis team. There were only six of us, which made it nice as we could all be in the same conversation. Dinner outside at the restaurant was lovely and then we took a pontoon boat ride around the lake until dark. Just a very pleasant evening. I captained both teams this summer and the ladies were very generous in the “captain’s gift” this year.
    Dad and I hope to play golf today. It is a bit rainy right now, but I think it will clear up by our tee time, just before noon. Our time together is much more sparse now that I am back in school. He was thinking of attending church this morning, but a few days ago our county got bumped up a level on the Covid scale. So, he is re-thinking it.
    Father – You know the needs and concerns of the family here. I lift up Ally and David, as Ally and her friends pursue a new business venture – may they work well together and have the perseverance to get it off the ground. May her time available to be with David encourage them both, as David continues his recovery. May Julie and Megan continue to be able to spend time together in positivity, apart from the stresses of home life. Continue to bless Robert in his hobbies of working with model trains as well as hiking and maintaining his health. For Lou and her once again empty nest. May her youngest be safe in the university environment. For April as she tends to tidying up her neighborhood. And Father, for those whom we have not heard from – Mary, Marcy, BJ, Connie, Andrea, Rick…You know their circumstances.
    May You be lifted high, this Sabbath day and always. Draw us nearer to You.

  • Lou Posted September 13, 2020 9:02 am

    I am light and free when I dig deep into the knowledge and the wonder that God loves me so- when I rest there is when I find my freedom and joy. When I become entangled in the weight of the world and the swirl of darkness that surrounds me there – that is when I lose my way and my focus. He is the way and the truth and the life- help me to stay focused and to always follow Him and His commands.
    Thank you Lord for this day- the geese just flew over head flying south and calling to one another – a beautiful reminder of the change of seasons.
    Lord – please bless all here at the UR – keep us safe and lead us in Your way.

    • Rick Posted September 13, 2020 1:51 pm

      Greetings this day to all, I have missed you all and feel like I have abandoned you. This practice and fellowship truly inspires me and enriches my spiritual life and walk.
      I felt guided by the spirit today, to open UR. I’ve been using a different format for daily prayer and meditation but it’s not been as fulfilling as “New Every Morning”. The fellowship through your postings provides a deeper connection to God. Thank you Jill and all for your continued prayers. Lou your description of the darkness that surrounds you is indeed how I’ve been feeling. When life gets busy and I feel overwhelmed, I sometimes forget that turning to God is the only way I can find the peace which surpasses all things. I took on a lot with school ending, packing to move, renovating our townhome and then moving to TX. We have certainly had some difficulties with the moving company and temporary living accommodations. The stressors for our cat LC caused her to become very ill. Thankfully she has recovered. I was two weeks behind with the fall semester, by the time we got here and settled in, as things did not go as we had hoped. I tried to get caught up, but it was impossible, so I had to drop this semester and now I am focussing on finding us a permanent home. Dropping this semester has allowed me to catch my breath and lean into God . His commands are light when I let go and let him.☺️

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