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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

MODERN CHRISTIANS HAVE an opportunity to empathize with the challenges the Jews have encountered in observing sabbath in a culture that is neither conducive to nor supportive of taking a full day to connect with the Creator, ourselves, and one another. But even a rigorous review of scripture and Judeo-Christian history doesn’t solve the major obstacle against sabbatarianism: How do we begin to observe a day that is antithetical to culture, the economy, smartphones, email, work expectations, and retail?

—J. Dana Trent, For Sabbath’s Sake: Embracing Your Need for Rest, Worship, and Community (Upper Room Books, 2017)

Today’s Question

Spend some time reflecting on the question above. Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation.
—Genesis 2:3 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Holy One,
I am listening.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

What is Lent? Read more.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

6 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted February 24, 2020 8:05 am

    Sunday surely isn’t what it was in the 50s. Stores were closed, more people went to church, No kids’ sports . Lawns weren’t mowed. Walks and drives took place. It was a more relaxed day.

    Today it takes a personal commitment to go to church. In the 50s it was the expected activity. We have strayed from God, God is still there with open arms.

    Am enjoying Max Lucado’s book, Jesus. It moves right along, very scripture based, yet has a new fresh style. It is the Bible study for Lent.

    It’s a sunny, chilly (not below zero) morning, Had fresh baked blueberry muffins for breakfast. and will read more of the book.

    Continued prayers for the needs, concerns, and joys of the New Every Morning family. God’s peace be with you now and all through Lent. Thank You, Lord.

  • Julie Posted February 24, 2020 8:41 am

    It was like that in the 60s and some of the 70s also because I remember those Sundays also. They were the blue laws and it was actually against the law to conduct business on Sunday. I remember family dinners at my grandparents (sans my “father”) and long drives with ice cream or visits with aunts, uncles and cousins. I miss those innocent times.
    Prayers for Robert and his Bible study group. Your many cullinary joys make my mouth water!
    Prayers for Jill, for insurance approval, and better symptom management. Why the reluctance to try the
    med, if I may be so bold to ask.
    Prayers for Rick, I am so glad to read your posts, both because it means you have achieved a certain amount of equilibrium and because I have grown so much in my faith because of your powereful testamonies.
    Prayers for Andrea, April, Betsy, BJ, Connie, Edy, Lou, Mary, and Marcy.
    Spent the day dodging h’s barbs yesterday. He seems emboldened by the extra money from his pay.
    Prayers and thank you UR

    • Jill Posted February 25, 2020 3:15 am

      My friend, who has companioned me on this path since my diagnosis, is on the same med as I am. I feel a sense of comfort in that, as we can compare notes, etc. I feel, up until this past Fall, that the med has been really good for me – I feel it is unrealistic to expect to be symptom free 100% of the time. However, since my physical activity has been limited, I need to look to a new med – strongly encouraged by my doc. The warnings and side effects are significant, regardless of the treatment. I must trust my doc. Of course – I must trust my Father God.

  • Lou Posted February 24, 2020 1:00 pm

    I still love those kind of special sundays and I try not to do much work on Sunday – with the exception of cooking and having a nice Sunday dinner with family or friends.
    I had the joy of visiting my mother and brother this weekend and we sent for a Sunday drive which we did when we were children. I tried to help my mother with some tasks around her house. She amazes me at nearly 84 that she is living on her own in her home and co to yes to do a great job driving and taking care of herself despite health issues. It was a nice visit. I especially enjoyed attending my hometown church- I know how happy it made my mother to have both of her children in service with her – I feel the same when my children attend with me.
    Prayers for all hear at the UR – I am ready to travel back home to try to arrive before the big snowstorm we are expecting. So far all looks good.

  • Rick Posted February 24, 2020 11:09 pm

    I think about how things were growing up, but even then I was never taught how to truly observe the Sabbath. It was a day mostly spent with family and relatives, Sunday dinners were the norm . Knowing and possessing more knowledge now I still fall short. While we do attend service and have commitments at our church. I confess I’m guilty of being selfish and use much of the day to get caught up for the week. Of for time with my husband. I have gone on a few retreats at a local Abby from Friday evening until Sunday at noon. Those of us that have gone will ask one another how far down the hill will we get before we turn on the radio or we phone. I must admit it is difficult initially to be in quite meditation and reflection the first day. With life’s basics a room a bed and no connection to the outside world. Yet I always come away feeling more connected to God.

    Blessing to all, it is my long day at school I’m just getting in. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.

  • Rick Posted February 24, 2020 11:11 pm

    Thank you Julie, your a blessing to all.

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