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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

IN A CERTAIN SENSE, it doesn’t matter what you say in your conversation with Jesus. When it comes to the spiritual life, who you talk to is more important than what you say. Your questions aren’t as important as the person to whom you address your questions. Even if you use the Psalms as the words of your prayers, thinking that somehow these (or any other words) are the “right” words to pray would be foolish. Instead, the Psalms demonstrate that any words—even despondent, angry, or violent words—can be constructive if and when addressed to God. (Seriously, if you haven’t read the Psalms, take a look; they contain a full range of human emotion. Some of them are downright shocking.) As disappointed, frustrated, or lost as you may feel from time to time, dare to address your disappointment, frustration, and anguish in prayer to God rather than letting a sense of propriety or shame sucker you into letting the conversation lapse—either by putting on airs of piety or cutting off communication entirely. Candor with God is key.

—Matthew Croasmun

Let Me Ask You a Question: Conversations with Jesus, (Upper Room Books, 2018)

Today’s Question

When you speak to a your closest friends, do you worry about how you talk?  Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their cry.
—Psalm 34:15 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Lord, help me know the difference between what you ask of me and what the world asks of me. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room or share it in the comment section.

Something More

As Christians, we hunger to know and live out God’s purposes for our lives. But how do we know for certain that our choices are moving us in the right direction? Learn more about Which Way, Lord?— a 6-session churchwide or small-group study that will help you understand God’s desire for your life.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

Sponsored by The Upper Room. Copyright © 2019 | PO Box 340004 | Nashville, TN 37203-0004 | USA

6 Comments

  • Jill Posted September 1, 2019 5:56 am

    I believe the author nailed this topic. Why would we attempt to “pretty up” our words – when the Author of all knows us so intimately, knows and understands our hearts, our depravity better than we do. The Psalms are a treasure – and one of the reasons why is the raw honesty expressed. Father – draw us closer to You, deeper into the mystery of You, where You heal and make new our undoneness.
    April – I so appreciated your comments yesterday regarding stones and rocks. Our summer Bible study was on Joshua – and rocks were used symbolically to remind people of God’s faithfulness. The last day of our study – the leader had purchased smooth rocks at a local craft store and brought in various markers and paints and we decorated stones symbolizing an event, date or remembrance from our lives.
    As I looked up Psalm 62 in NASB – the title for the Psalm is “God Alone a Rescue from Treachery and Oppression”. The term treachery caught my eye – I looked it up…”betrayal of trust; deceptive action or nature.” He, alone, is the only place treachery-free and oppression-free. Indeed, a refuge. When our eyes are focused on Him, the things of this world fall away, lose their significance. Cling to The Rock.
    Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord to the cross where Thou has died. Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord to Thy precious bleeding side.

  • robert moeller Posted September 1, 2019 6:24 am

    Certainly I would hope I could speak my mind with close friends especially Jesus. Don’t think I have ever let it all out with Jesus or God. Don’t think I have ever been angry with God. The closest I came was when Soo Ok passed away and I recognized I could turn to or away from God. I chose to and it was enormously helpful. Put God first and all these things will be given to you.

    Thankful for church today: Communion, lessons about lamb, and shepherd’s pie for lunch. Wonderful weather, getting more settled, progress being made.
    Thank You, Lord.

  • Bj Posted September 1, 2019 6:39 am

    Good morning, the UR family! Can someone explain todays’ reflection even more to me. It is saying Psalms are mere for praying time? I thank God all the times, for all His blessing that He has given me in the past, in the present, and surely for the blessings in the future. Thanks for all imput! May all have a blessed day.

    • Laraine Posted September 1, 2019 7:22 am

      Psalms are for reading, praying and singing. Look at Psalm 84 which was sung about worship, in the way to worship and/or in the sanctuary. There are all types of Psalms that teach us and help us express ourselves. We learn from the wisdom of others. Have a blessed day!

  • April Posted September 1, 2019 7:47 pm

    Welcome Laraine! I agree that we all learn from the wisdom of others!
    Jill, I love the correlation between rocks and the stones that you painted. I looked online for kits and think I will do with the grandkids. I think it will be a great time together and I will have the opportunity to talk about Jesus as rock of our faith and salvation.
    Robert, I thought of you as we took a train ride a few months ago and thoroughly enjoyed it…they are powerful machines!!
    I hold our UR Family in my thoughts and prayers for concerns posted or not.
    I pray for our nation and world with the topics of guns and hurricanes and war.
    God of Healing, please be near those who are ill and comfort those families in their grief at the passing of loved ones.

  • Bj Posted September 1, 2019 9:12 pm

    Thanks, so far, Laraine! I was wondering if Psalms are considered more about prayers.

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