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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

You are coming back home to yourself. You have poured out yourself in care for your children. In those early months and years, you’ve been consumed by their holy fire. You have forgotten yourself and died to yourself. You have been broken apart and are now being reconstituted. Can you hear the invitation to new life? However this beginning looks and feels for you, know that it is just that: a beginning. Our becoming is ongoing. We continue to be created and formed.

—Lauren Burdette, This Life That Is Ours: Motherhood as Spiritual Practice (Upper Room Books, 2019)

Today’s Question

How is your awakening self-identity an echo of the person you’ve always been? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

So then, if anyone is in Christ, that person is part of the new creation. The old things have gone away, and look, new things have arrived!
—2 Corinthians 5:17 (CEB)

Prayer for the Week

Lord,
May I see my moments of strength and my moments of weakness as invitations to draw closer to you.
Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

This Mother’s Day, celebrate Mom by making a donation to The Upper Room in her honor or memory. Give today.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

2 Comments

  • Julie Posted May 3, 2021 8:55 am

    Robert will be pleased that he is not the first poster.
    This question is particularly relevant for me. As h pulled away from me and became absorbed with his “friends” he gradually ceased his daily tirades. These included mental and emotional abuse and gas lighting. Now he is so absorbed in himself and his illness that he ignores me completely. I have emerged to find myself and reclain myself. I am rediscovering my strength and resilence. My faith is returning, both my faith in God and myself.
    Prayers for Robert and his church, may the new pastor feel welcomed and may the retiring pastor find meaning in his new normal. May the faith community continue in all its good works and faith building activiities.
    Prayers for Ally and her job search and prayers for David and his new health concerns.
    Prayers for Jill and her fellow teachers and students, may alll find their way to each other and learn from one another.
    Prayers for Lou’s safety as she travels and prayers for her youngest as she tackles the grueling tasks at the end of her semester. Prayers for her son as he struggles with his job and relationship. May he turn to the Lord for strength and direction.
    Prayers for the UR

  • robert moeller Posted May 3, 2021 2:52 pm

    Yes, Julie it is a blessing to read your post before I write.
    I’m very thankful you have emerged to find and reclaim yourself, are rediscovering your strength and resilience, and your faith is returning, both in God and yourself. May there soon be the needed resolution to end your current situation.
    I’m grateful to learn how all of you and your families are doing,: Julie’s activities with Megan Julie’s and her Mom’s health, Jill’s school, tennis and golf, her Dad’s new truck, the cancer support group; Lou’s travel and her children. Yes, turn to the Lord for strength, reassurance, and guidance.
    Bible study of Hebrews continues, familiar verses in 7:1 – 10:18. Jesus is a priest in the tradition of
    Melchizedek, a king of Salem (peace). all foretold in the OT and we are reminded of it in Hebrews. Together my son and I are building a custom made table. We have the measurements and bought the materials today. The Brill car end is now soldered to the car body. Have sent input to my counselor. Thankful for progress, praying for all of you, Marcy is not forgotten. Thank You, Lord.

    Buildng a
    Ally’s job search, David”s different health concern, April’s faith filled posts

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