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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

The desert sages sought to ground themselves in Divine Compassion when they experienced fear, anguish, sadness, despair, and longings—and all other conceivable emotional states. They called upon God, trusting that the compassion of God would surround them with safety, strength, and fearless calm. These sages knew that before we can offer full compassion to others, we must begin settling into this sense of endless
strength, safety, and calm. This deep connection satisfies a fundamental need in human life. We cannot thrive without it.

—Andrew Dreitcer, Living Compassion: Loving Like Jesus (Upper Room Books, 2017)

Today’s Question

How can you connect with God’s compassion in each emotional state you experience? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Don’t fear, because I am with you;
don’t be afraid, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
I will surely help you;
I will hold you
with my righteous strong hand.

—Isaiah 41:10 (CEB)

Prayer for the Week

Gracious God, give us compassion and humility in our hearts. Let us be kind, gentle, generous, loving, giving, and forgiving wherever we may go.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

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Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

7 Comments

  • Jill Posted August 18, 2020 6:05 am

    It must be intentional. For way too long I used to ride the wave of emotion and get swept away in my swirling thoughts and feelings. By the grace of God – He has shown me a better way. It starts with recognition and then firmly planting my foot and pivoting. There must be the re-routing of the mind – and, for me, it begins with turning again to God’s presence and faithfulness. Lamentations 3 begins with so much wailing and railing – the first 20 verses…where is God, why is He causing this to happen to me…”my soul is bereft of peace” [verse 18]. But then, in verse 21, Jeremiah plants his foot in the ground, he forcefully changes his thought patterns…”But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end, they are new every morning, great is Your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion’, says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in Him.’ The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul that seeks Him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” These verses are a treasure to me. For, indeed, GREAT is His faithfulness – and this is what my mind and heart need to be centered on.
    No experience here with a shingles shot.

  • Ally Posted August 18, 2020 8:06 am

    The Lord is near. That truth from Phillippians is one thing that enables us to connect with the Lord’s compassion. My Aunt Mary (a true saint who has taught me so much) calls this “resting in the Lord”. As she held my hand at the passing of my Daddy, I asked her, “what are we going to do without him?” She said, “we will rest in the Lord”. This is what allows us as Psalm 37 states, to wait patiently for the Lord. Resting the Lord can help me get through the gamut of emotions I feel.
    You are so right, Jill, that we must be intentional. The scripture from Lamentations is one of my favorites. I love how it reads in The Message: “I’m sticking with God. He’s all I got”! You mentioned a shingles shot. Do you have shingles? If so, prayers for swift recovery and relief from pain.
    I am thanking God that in our fragmented world, there is unity in the Body of Christ. be safe, dear brothers and sisters. May we all put on love today.

  • robert moeller Posted August 18, 2020 8:25 am

    Having seen and known people with shingles and knowing that if you had chicken pox you are a prime candidate for shingles, I highly recommend getting a shingles shot. the first version was not as good as the second. Julie asked about the shot and side effects.

    The concept presented in today’s New Every Morning is new to me, have not thought about that.

    Bible study starts in a few minutes, hope to come back later and finish my reply.

  • Julie Posted August 18, 2020 8:31 am

    I think about those in the Bible who were aided by the Lord, such as King David. He speaks of God placing him in an impenetrable fortress and keeping him safe and victorous. I think of Jesus speaking of His longing to gather His flock under His wings and shield them as a mother bird shields her young. So many examples of the Lord’s providential care for mere humans.
    Prayers for Jill and I also agree that one must be intentional regarding these thoughts. The UR Devotional reading was the final exhortations from Paul to the Philipians regarding thinking good thoughts. The comments in my study Bible noted that temptations and discouragements will enter our minds but Paul was telling us to turn from those thoughts to thoughts of the Lord and His word.
    Prayers for Ally and David and I am the one who asked about the shingles shot. Jill does not have this but I am seeking the post shot experiences of others because it is time for me to get them and I understand it can make one feel like they have the flu. In particullar one can experience lethargy and fatigue.
    Prayers for Robert and thank you for sharing your experience and could you recommend some Korean dramas and movies for Megan to watch. She is very interested in you insights.
    Prayers, thank you and stay well dear UR

    • Ally Posted August 18, 2020 10:38 am

      Thanks, Julie, for info. My mom had shingles and it was a miserable experience. I’ve never taken the shot, but I might, as I had a fairly mild case of chicken pox . If you decide to get it, let us know if you have side effects. Good to hear from you!

    • robert moeller Posted August 18, 2020 6:23 pm

      At first, that being the beginning of the pandemic, I was able to find Korean dramas and movies for free simply by googling free korean movies and dramas. Of late, within the last 2-3 weeks, that has not been so easy. I have joined Asian Crush and Rakuten Viki, $4.99 a month each for their basic level. I have enjoyed both dramas and movies that take place in the Chosun/Joseon dynasty as well as ones from more modern times. I depend greatly on English subtitles, I am far from being fluent in Korean.
      Here are sone that I really liked. Mr. Sunshine, Moon Embracing the Sun, Chunhyang- both versions, Dae Jang Geum, Jang Young Sil,, and Dong Yi. Hope this helps and you find programs you enjoy.

      Bible study on the first two chapters of the book of James. I find this book very to the point and helpful. understanding faith and works, wisdom, doubt, and speech.

      If you have had chicken pox, I highly recommend getting the second of the two shingles shots. Many pharmacies offer this shot. Talk with your doctor or the pharmacist before you decide.

      • Julie Posted August 18, 2020 7:04 pm

        Thank you.
        I have to get both shots as they are two shots for the proper effect

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