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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

WE KNOW GOD does not like walls. Jesus died to break down the dividing walls of hostility (Eph. 2:14). Walls are a physical confession of sin. Walls do not make good neighbors. We need to ask ourselves what we are walling in and walling out. We also need to remember the most powerful walls are invisible, in our minds. What might it mean to create a well in the midst of conflict, not a wall?

—Thomas Porter, The Spirit and Art of Conflict Transformation: Creating a Culture of Justpeace (Upper Room Books, 2010)

Today’s Question

Spend some time reflecting on the question in today’s quote. Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.”
—John 4:13-14 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love.
(From the Peace Prayer of Saint Francis)
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

We Are the Church… Let’s Act Like It. Journey with Linda Pevey as she discusses practical and biblical ways today’s church can truly be a transformative presence in the world. Learn more about this small group study on the book of Acts.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

6 Comments

  • Jill Posted January 17, 2020 6:22 am

    That is a pretty insightful question. Instead of a wall, a barrier…a well, an open space for all to come and draw refreshment and nourishment from, a gathering place. Might we be well diggers as opposed to wall erectors. Good stuff.
    So grateful for a four day weekend. The amount of schoolwork I have is enormous, not an overstatement. It begins with a mountain of grading – which I will attack today. Lesson planning will follow, once all grading is complete. Hard to believe the school year is half over. I also have many errands to run this morning…oil change, pharmacy, bank, shopping. I am meeting a former student this afternoon for coffee. She is attending school in California – and we always meet up when she is home for winter break and summer break. It will be good to spend time with her. And I am playing tennis this evening. It has been a while – and I am looking forward to it…my competitive fire will be rekindled a bit.
    Had dinner last night with dad – he continues to do well. Had his second root canal yesterday and hopefully this will settle all the issues with his teeth. We attended my god son’s and great nephew’s basketball game afterwards.
    Yes, I caught my mix-up yesterday…god daughter, not grand daughter. I think I must have still been a little sleepy after a later night than usual, out at her game. When talking with my friend at her son’s game yesterday, she is no worse for wear – and ready for the big league match-up tomorrow with the team they are tied for first place with.
    Yes, Julie, I too have noticed Mary’s absence and am hoping it is due to her mission trip. Father – watch over her.

  • Julie Posted January 17, 2020 8:20 am

    There are many questions in today’s reflection. First asking about our walss as well as the final well question. Yesterday I was reflecting on the tenor of this week’s reflections as well as my answers. I realized that what I had written was only part of the truth. So this Reflection is timely for me because I have a wall that shields my heart from disrespect. My entire life has been one of being treated with disdain and has had a lack of caring and kindness. Therefore when people speak harshly to me it is what I expect and believe I deserve. So building a well I feel would not help me but open me to more disrepectful treatment and words.
    Prayers for Jill and her busy day and may she catch up on schoolwork. Prayers for Larry, may he recover from his dental work quickly and with minimal pain.
    Prayers for Robert and Erich as they try to build a well between them and erode the wall.
    Prayers for Andrea and her daughter, may they break the wall and pattern of hurt feelings. Prayers for April as she strives in her Christianity. Prayers for BJ and her mother. Prayers for Connie and her physical and emotional pain. Prayers for Lou and her emotional pain. Prayers for Mary and her mission trip may she be safe. Prayers for Marcy, may she be safe. Prayers for Joyce and Gail and welcome.
    Prayers and thank you UR

    • Andrea Posted January 17, 2020 8:48 am

      Thank you, Julie. I pray for your healing and well-being. God bless you.

    • Bj Posted January 17, 2020 9:40 am

      While being meek, there is joy in our circumstances! May we be thankful for the gifts that God gives us. I love you Julie and thank you for your prayers.

  • Andrea Posted January 17, 2020 11:24 am

    This is a timely reading for me. I am trying to create a well within my heart to fully hold my daughter’s anger and respond with wisdom rather than allow her to push me away. She has reverted to being a confused, enraged 13 year old. I so worry about her and how her mental health affects my grandson. I must not let my anguish and anger at her behavior cloud my capacity to draw from the well. I pray for guidance to respond with compassion and dignity. I ask for your prayers.

    Prayers for dear UR friends and those for whom you pray and for all UR visitors. Wishing all a blessed day.

  • Linda Posted January 17, 2020 11:30 am

    I love today’s reflection. Thank you.
    May we all be kind and love one another, just as we are instructed by our savior.

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