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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 GOD INVITES YOU to change, God also helps you make the change. But don’t expect big changes to be automatic or easy. Human growth, whether rapid or slow, is a process that involves commitment, hard work, mistakes, and side trips. Almost always you must grow into a change, even after you have stopped a certain behavior. You will need to make adjustments and ask for more help, always paying attention and surrendering as you go.

– Tilda Norberg
The Chocolate-Covered Umbrella

From page 114 of The Chocolate-Covered Umbrella: Discovering Your Dreamcode by Tilda Norberg. Copyright © 2008 by Tilda Norberg. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Fresh Air Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

What spiritual practice has helped you make changes in your life? Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

She went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the baptizer.”

Mark 6:24, NRSV

This Week: pray to know God’s deep love for you. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.

Did You Know?

In need of prayer? The Upper Room Living Prayer Center is a 7-day-a-week intercessory prayer ministry staffed by trained volunteers. Call 1-800-251-2468 or visit The Living Prayer Center website.

This week we remember: Kateri Tekakwitha (July 14).

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

Sponsored by Upper Room Ministries ®. Copyright © 2018 | PO Box 340004 | Nashville, TN 37203-0004 | USA

18 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted July 15, 2018 4:48 am

    Coming to the Upper Room has certainly helped me make changes in my life, I am trying now to make another change, one that has taken me a while to recognize. Hopefully, with some extra help it can be accomplished. There are times when I have social anxiety, nit terribly debilitating, but enough that there have been important situations where I was not up to the task and the results were terrible.Today’s reflection helped me a lot with this and gice me hope that positive results will occur. I find it amazing that reflections can and do come at time when they seem personally focused. Sometimes it may be divine intervention and sometimes just coincidence. Either way I am thankful.

    Thankful for worship and hymns today. My spiritual batteries will be recharged. Have a bunch of errands to do today as well.

    Thankful that Anneliese has some extra meds to take and will see her rheumatologist on Monday. changes in prescriptions slow down the supply and it takes too long for approval for the change.

    Prayers for Erich who is very frustrated. Hopefully we have found a place where he can both be happy because of what the town offers and has jobs that will utilize his education. Can’t move there right away, next spring is possible
    For him that is a long unproductive wait and very hard to take. Have urged him to see a career counselor to help him prepare. He’s resistant to that or using his college job placement service to help find a job.

    Prayers for help with Jill and Julie’s hands, Marcy’s health and wellbeing, a safe and secure future for Julie, medical help for Rusty and K, peace for Betsy, Grace, and Connie, continued help from a colleague for Mary, continued porgress for Lou, her children, and Mom; Andrea, Lowell, Andrea’s daughter, grand son, and sin-in law.Blessings to Francesca, April, Carol,, and all posters and readers here atb the UR.

    Pearl is ending her nocturnal wanderings and activities, I’m ready for more sleep, but will be off to church in a few more hours. Spiritual uplifting will happen there.

  • robert moeller Posted July 15, 2018 4:49 am

    son-in-law NOT sin-in-law — a very bad typo

    • Gail Churchill Posted July 15, 2018 5:08 pm

      ck previous day’s response, I think

  • Jill Posted July 15, 2018 5:10 am

    Taking prayer along with me throughout my day, slipping in to it, either briefly or extensively, has kept me before my Father. Knowing that He wants me to call out to Him in any and all circumstances, not merely in need, but also in thanksgiving. More communication has certainly been integral to my growth.
    My hand seemed to improve a bit Wednesday and Thursday, as I was taking Aleve regularly and using essential oils. But a second consecutive day of golf (on Friday) and more humid weather caused it to swell up again yesterday, with considerable stiffness. I did speak with my rheumatologist’s office – and they said I could get a prednisone shot. I see that as a very last resort. I don’t know how bad it would have to be, but I am definitely not there yet. I keep telling myself I can endure the discomfort, but must be mindful that joint damage could be occurring.
    Grateful for church today. Depending on the heat, my parents and I may attend an art fair this afternoon.

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted July 15, 2018 6:17 am

    Thanks Robert for your prayers.

    Thank you God for change in life and the help you gave to make the change.

    Blessings to all

    Have a great week ahead!

  • Julie Posted July 15, 2018 7:59 am

    Robert, thank you for enlightening me on Erich’s situation. If I may, why must the job be near skiing? Is Erich an instructor? I am perplexed as to how to assist my daughter. Have contemplated asking her father to meet with me so we could discuss the best course of action.
    Prayers for you, Robert, Erich, Annaliese, and Pearl.
    Jill, why are you reluctant to receive the shot? I am not familiar with prednisone shots have only taken it orally. Prayers that you and your parents have a good day together.
    Mary, I pray for you to have had a restful and stress free weekend. I know you are finishing your Sunday as we begin ours and I pray you had rest, joy and time for fun. May your week ahead be easier and filled with joy and not stress. Prayers for your collegue and parents.
    Prayers for Marcy and thanksgiving for her post. May her pain and breathing be relieved.
    Prayers for Lou and her family, Andrea and her family, Betsy and her family, Connie, Gail, Rusty and K and all who visit this warm UR prayer family. We love you all posters and readers

    • robert moeller Posted July 16, 2018 1:58 am

      Erich loves to ski, he’s grown up skiing, while he is not an instructor, I think he could do that or ski patrol, but he has not shown an interest in those.

      Am trying all reasonable possibilities, praying, and hoping for the best.

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted July 16, 2018 7:13 am

      Thank you Julie for your prsyers.

      May you be protected from all harm and danger.

      May your fingers be well and restored!

      Blessings!

  • Kenneth Miller Posted July 15, 2018 3:29 pm

    Hello to all,
    I wanted to share a few of my spiritual practices that have helped me to make changes in my life:
    – Attend church every week, and when on vacation out of town or state,
    still make an effort to attend church where ever I’m at.
    – Offer daily Prayers of thanks to God… for another day of life, health and
    sobriety. Thankful for the privilege of beginning a new day with him.
    – Look forward to daily Bible readings along with various devotionals
    – Thankfully read my daily AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) devotional, 24hrs a
    day. One of many keys to my 32+ years of sobriety.
    – Keeping a Christian journal that I learned about on a Faith Alive weekend.
    – Go on Christian weekend retreats and/or gatherings when offered: Such
    as Faith Alive and Walk to Emmaus (3 times).
    – When I attend church, I bring my Bible, open it up and follow along
    with the lay reader and then with the pastor for the readings for the day.
    – Carry a cross in my pocket and wear a cross around my neck 24/7, 365
    – When asked, I look forward to Lay Reading and Lay Preaching with
    enthusiasm. Not a chore but a great joy and consider it a blessing.
    – Try to lead by example, pray with family at meal time, teach and read
    bible stories to children and /or grandchildren
    Of course there are many more spiritual practices out there. I encourage you all to keep on doing the ones you enjoy and maybe I shared an idea or two that you might like to try someday. I believe others do watch us and I try to lead by example.
    For Robert…I wanted to share with you what someone in AA years ago taught me about coincidence…I learned that there is really no such thing, instead it can be thought of as, “God working anonymously”. I sure do like the sound of that! Maybe you do too.
    Prayers and blessing to all members of this UR Daily devotional group, we all are contributing too and exercising this helping and very valuable spiritual practice to many who need it. What joy!
    Keeping faith alive,
    Ken

    • robert moeller Posted July 16, 2018 2:08 am

      Hi Ken,

      AA meets at the church I attend, two of their guiding directions were left on display. Very thankful I saw them and AA meets at church.

      Thankful that AA has helped you and I enjoy this post. You do many wonderful activities and are an example for others.

      I like your explanation of coincidence. It sounds a lot better than happen stance.

      God does work in ways we do not understand. I truly believe that.

      Thank you for your very positive, helpful post.

    • Connie Posted July 16, 2018 8:10 am

      I always revisit the previous day’s postings. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. The input of others is so helpful in our daily journey……..God bless your journey, Kenneth.

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted July 17, 2018 7:53 am

      Thanks Ken for sharing.

      I do keep a journal for prayers and thanksgiving. Sometimes, its letters to God.

      Blessings

  • Andrea Posted July 15, 2018 3:37 pm

    Thank you for your prayers, Robert and Julie.

    Today, Lowell and I took our priest friend, Father Edwin, to lunch in Minneapolis.
    Father Edwin is the Sri Lankan priest we met in northern Sri Lanka last year. He is in Minnesota for a visit through contacts at local Catholic churches and he also has medical appointments at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. I am grateful to have met again with this very good man, who lives a life of service in a remote area of northern Sri Lanka, and I pray for his safe travels through the US and Canada and for his return to Sri Lanka. This man has lived through horrors we can only imagine during the decades-long civil war in Sri Lanka, and as an aging priest he continues to serve the school he established for Sri Lankan adults wanting to improve their English skills in order to have better employment opportunities. May God bless and protect Father Edwin and his school.

    Prayers for the needs of UR friends and those for whom you pray. Blessings, all.

  • Julie Posted July 15, 2018 6:39 pm

    My husband tried to bully me into agreeing to divorce terms he typed up on a paper by himself
    I refused to take it or look at it
    Please pray for my safety and for God to keep me strong

    • Marcy Posted July 15, 2018 7:48 pm

      Praying for you, Julie! I pray that God, surrounding you and filling you with His mighty strength, comforts you today and always! Seek out a women’s shelter if you see any escalation in your “husband’s” actions. Sending you my Love, dear Julie!

    • robert moeller Posted July 16, 2018 2:16 am

      It might be a good idea to show it to your lawyer or tell him to show it to your lawyer, but otherwise I think you were wise to do what you did. If you trust your lawyer, then she should handle this. It takes pressure off you and enables a better settlement.

      Most certainly praying for your safety.

  • Marcy Posted July 15, 2018 7:58 pm

    UR siblings and friends, I am praying for you, each of you, and your families, and friends, this day and every day! I’m in a lot of pain today from migraine and though I cannot respond and encourage the way I’d like, just know that I’m praying, as always, led by the Holy Spirit. I am thankful to our Triune God!

    Robert, Jill, Mary, Julie, Ken and Andrea, thank you for your comments and prayers. Wise and beautiful!

    And these three remain: Faith, Hope and Love, and the greatest of these is LOVE! Love you all, family!

    • robert moeller Posted July 16, 2018 2:23 am

      Prayers for relief from your migraine headache. You do more than you should responding while having one. Lord, watch over Marcy.

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