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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

When has God turned your life upside down?
Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Be patient, beloved, until the coming of the Lord.
—James 5:7 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Gracious God, open our eyes to see the gifts in 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

In his new book, Everyday Contemplative: The Way of Prayerful Living, Roger Owens invites us to pay attention to our longings and desires. In this brief exercise, he offers scripture, questions for reflection, and a journal prompt so that we might become more aware of our deepening longing for God.
Listen here.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

3 Comments

  • Julie Posted February 17, 2022 8:54 am

    I don’t know that this has happened to me. To be sure my life has been thrown into upheaval many times, including now. But I do not know that it was God inspired as none of these times resulted in a different religious path.
    Prayers for Ally and her sister and David and Jeremy, for health and a positive resolution of legal issues. Prayers for Safe travel and a wonderful visit for Robert. Prayers for Larry and his son in law to amicably search for a new condo. Thank you for your prayers and may God bless all who visit here.

  • Jill Posted February 17, 2022 12:05 pm

    My mental and emotional world was turned upside down when mom received her diagnosis – with how she reacted to it. I was utterly unprepared for her to feel that God was punishing her, to not want to be prayed with, to not want to have Scripture read to her. I also struggled with adequately supporting dad while his heart was ripped open with this devastating diagnosis.
    The above reading speaks of there being a “holy purpose” for this interruption. It’s hard to see. But, dad and I did have wonderful conversations. And my circle of friends showed me how to be present in hard times.
    So warm this morning, but so very windy, so couldn’t run outside. Trying to get a lot accomplished during my long day at school. It helps very much to know there is a four day weekend waiting on the other side of 7:30 pm tonight.
    Playing in a tennis tournament this weekend, with m doubles partner from summer. Also will be testing Roger’s sugar curve again this weekend. Poor little guy doesn’t like me bothering him every couple of hours. I feel bad for his long day today, also.

  • Ally Posted February 17, 2022 2:31 pm

    God has done this a few times. The 2 times most prominent in my mind are times when God radically changed my plans so I could be there for my parents. The first time allowed me to be at home with Daddy while he was still healthy and be a support and help to Mama when Daddy got sick. It also allowed me to spend a lot of time with my sister as an adult. Those years are like gold and I wouldn’t trade them for anything. Looking back, I could see God’s purpose (I could not at the time)and how He ordered my steps. Years later When I finished my music therapy internship, I didn’t find a job right away and I was so ready to get on with my life. But mama fell and broke her hip, needed a hip replacement, and someone to be with her at home post rehab. I was really impatient to move forward. God helped me wait and showed me that when mama was ready to be on her own, I would start moving forward. That is exactly what happened. As the Psalmist wrote in Psalm 40, I learned to wait patiently for the Lord. God pulled me up out of the jury clay, gave me a firm place to stand, and a new song to sing! still working on that waiting thing and for clarity to see God’s holy purposes in my circumstances.
    I have not been feeling well last couple of days: congestion, body aches, and fatigue. I got tested yesterday and test was negative. I may get tested tomorrow just to make sure yesterday’s test wasn’t a false negative. No word on getting access to mama’s house. Trying not to lose hope.
    Julie, I’m praying for your healing and that things will stabilize in your life. Jill, prayers for your family as they look for a condo. Glad you have a 4 day weekend coming up. Prayers continue for sweet little Roger. Prayers for Robert, that he enjoys his visit with daughter and grandkids. Prayers for traveling mercies for him. Prayers for Lou and her adult children as they draw closer together.
    Prayers for areas which may receive severe weather today and for peace on our planet. Blessings to all.

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