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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

Scripture is filled with stories of God interrupting someone’s routine to fulfill God’s holy purpose. Imagine what went through Moses’ mind when God appeared to him in a burning bush and called him to lead God’s people out of Egypt. Think how Mary and Joseph’s lives were turned upside down when they discovered that Mary would give birth to Jesus. One thing is certain in the Christian life: Being faithful to God’s call will bring divine interruptions, even in old age.

—Missy Buchanan, From Dry Bones to Living Hope: Embracing God’s Faithfulness in Late Life (Upper Room Books, 2021)

Today’s Question

How will you respond to divine interruptions? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”
And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
—Isaiah 6:8 (NIV)

Prayer for the Week

Gracious God, open our eyes to see the gifts of this season of life. May we seek your wisdom and pursue our holy purpose with authentic hearts. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

Lent is just around the corner! Ash Wednesday is on February 14 this year. Learn more about popular resources for the season at Store.UpperRoom.org/lent.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

4 Comments

  • Julie Posted January 25, 2024 9:27 am

    I struggle when anything interrupts my routine. This is one of the things I am dreading the most with h’s imminent return home. I gain strength for the day from my morning routine. As such I guard it fiercely and dread that h’s presence will impact that routine greatly. I have brought it to God but still have not acquiesced. I know I must continue to bring my unease to the Lord for his help with my attitude.

  • Andrea Posted January 25, 2024 10:26 am

    I am new to caregiving. This is a very challenging week for Lowell and me, with one or more appointments and procedures almost every day. Tomorrow, Lowell has his first oncology appointment. He has significant pain at times and medications are constantly being adjusted. He walks with a walker and needs a lot of assistance during the day. This rapid deterioration in his health started over the holidays. Last October, we hiked with friends on the rugged Superior Hiking Trail in Minnesota. Thankful for that to look back on. I’m pretty exhausted and when I wonder how well I’ll be able to manage the caregiver role as Lowell’s condition changes, I think of him as my Jesus. I know all the regular UR prayer warriors have been or currently are caregivers and that knowledge gives me strength. Praying for each of you. Ally, may David’s balance improve. Julie, my prayers for your stamina when h is home again. Wishing all a blessed day, with love.

  • Rusty Posted January 25, 2024 11:57 am

    Lord, thank you for this family of caring and caregiving people! Praise you for brining us all together to support each other. Prayers for Ally, Andrea and Julie in their caregiving situations. Prayers for Jill in her doula work and for the care she provides to her friends and loved ones. Prayer for Robert , Lou and all who come to this sacred place. Hooray for Ally’s car! Just to mention, I just finished a novel about an end-of-life doula by Mikki Bramen (I think that’s the name – if interested, folks can find it by googling “Clover” “doula.”). I learned some helpful things reading it.
    For today’s question, I’ve had three transforming Godly interruptions. (At least!) One was my conversion from atheist to Christian at age 43. The next was K’s life changing illness discovered six months later. And now the calling to spend retirement (at least this stage) caring for little I and L.
    My response, faithfully answering the call each time – I pray,
    Praise you and thank you, Lord.

  • Jill Posted January 25, 2024 3:20 pm

    I hope I will sit up and listen – and say, like Mary, “may it be done with me as You purpose”. And then followed by “help me, Lord”. “Help me to desire obedience and to follow through faithfully with obedience.”
    Busy week here. I am grateful to be home after school, with nowhere to go this evening but to bed. And to bed I shall go early! My schedule is full of good, purposeful things – but I do really treasure being home right after school and not having to go anywhere.
    This week has gone fast at school – a touch surprising for the first 5 day week of the New Year. Somewhat behind on my grading as usually most of it occurs on the weekend – but the snow days messed with the schedule last week. I am not putting any pressure on myself to get caught up now…should be fine by the end of the weekend.
    I thank you all for your prayers. My cold is still hanging on a touch, but there has been improvement each day. Today was a cough drop free day! My pain occurs when seated. I am fortunate to be able to move well, without hindrance or discomfort. Another week or so and the scabs should be off the incision points – so that should help quite a bit.
    Praying for each of your concerns.
    Rusty – as I read your response…what perfect timing of God’s – to arrest your attention regarding atheism, just prior to having to become a full time caregiver. It is awesome to look back and see God’s hand. Also, Andrea – to treasure the memory of hiking in the Fall.

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