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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

FEAR KILLS a mind and soul by slowly obliterating the visions we hold for our lives. That we should not fall prey to fear is a constant theme in the scriptures. God does not want us to succumb to the chilling and killing aspects of fear; God encourages people not to be afraid of the circumstances in which they find themselves. It seems that one of God’s favorite themes is “Do not be afraid” or “Do not fear.” Perhaps God repeats this theme so often because we so often fear circumstances that confront us in our lives and ministries.

– Norman Shawchuck and Rueben P. Job
A Guide to Prayer for All Who Seek God

Norman Shawchuck, from pages 185-186 of A Guide to Prayer for All Who Seek God, by Norman Shawchuck and Rueben P. Job Copyright © 2003 by the authors. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

What are you afraid of? What does it mean to hear God say “do not be afraid” to that situation? Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

Even before a word is on my tongue, O LORD, you know it completely.

Psalm 139:4, NRSV

This Week: Pray for new beginnings. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.

Did You Know?

In need of prayer? The Upper Room Living Prayer Center is a 7-day-a-week intercessory prayer ministry staffed by trained volunteers. Call 1-800-251-2468 or visit The Living Prayer Center website.

This week we remember: Emily Balch (January 9).

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

Sponsored by Upper Room Ministries ®. Copyright © 2018 | PO Box 340004 | Nashville, TN 37203-0004 | USA

9 Comments

  • Marcy Posted January 10, 2018 8:45 pm

    Dear God in heaven, I pray to You constantly not to let the liar get into my head and take away my dreams, hopes and willingness to be in service to others. And yet, Your will, not mine, must be done. Lord, have mercy.

    • Francesca Posted January 11, 2018 5:54 am

      Father God, I touch and agree with Mary to remove the thoughts and fears from her mind. Let her know that she is an en–courage–er! I feel her courage through every post I’ve read. I feel her great love for you. Thank you for the wisdom & encouragement you have allowed her to share on this site and beyond. Amen

      • Andrea Posted January 11, 2018 11:42 am

        I echo you words, Francesca. Marcy is a strong, faithful witness. Marcy, you inspire me.

    • Louise Posted January 11, 2018 8:53 pm

      Marcy you are an amazing person with so much faith. You are an inspiration for so many people.❤

  • robert moeller Posted January 11, 2018 5:08 am

    To say that I have no fear would not be telling the truth. I’m human. To say that I know God is with me always is true. To be without fear I need to abide in God as God abides with me. I have been through experiences that rattled me and yet know that God helped me through them. I have to, must continue to place my trust in God and things will work out. Thank You, Lord, for always being there and helping me. I couldn’t do it without you.

    Prayers for all who have fears, need new beginnings, are sick, in despair, feel hopeless, and need direction. Lord, You and only You are able to help us through all of these situations and more.

    Prayers for all who come to the UR, those who don’t, those who don’t know or trust You, Lord. May hearts, mind, and souls be encouraged, opened, and turned all because of You, Lord. Thank You, Lord for this reflection today.
    Amazing how God’s message reaches out, touches, and uplifts us.

    Thankful for yesterday, many good things happened for Erich. Work is paying off. Thankful for a wonderful walk yesterday and time at the gym today. Concerns are being addressed, dealt with, problems will be solved.

    Blessings to all of you here at the UR. Know that prisoners who receive the UR devotional send thanks.

  • Trackback: Do Not Fear – College United Methodist Church
  • Julie Posted January 11, 2018 7:44 am

    I wish I had the faith that woold leave me fearless. But, I am human and fear many things but financial issues are the predominent. I know God is with me but that does not quell the fear.
    Prayers for all today.
    My index fingers have sores which make it painful to type. So short posts for awhile.
    Blessings to all who visit the UR family. You are among friends

  • Andrea Posted January 11, 2018 3:19 pm

    Today is my mother’s birthday and she would have turned 94.

    This is a fearful time for me, with no communication from my daughter in several days, and before that, angry communication for a week. She turns 40 on Sunday. I am at a loss, and apprehensive as well. I fear for her. At times she is very anxious and brittle, and then she treats me poorly. She has acknowledged she has a hairline trigger with me. At times, I fear she has a mental health disorder. I fear for our relationship as well, and for seeing my grandson. I ask for you to continue to keep us in your prayers, and her husband and my precious 2 1/2 year old grandson as well.

    The snow – it is snowing thickly here and I am at my sewing table, facing the window as I finish a baby quilt for a silent auction tomorrow. Thank you, God, for the serene beauty that fills and stills my soul. Thank you for my blessings. Thank you for this trial, and for the good that You will bring forth from it. I ask for Your guidance.

    Continued prayers for my dear UR friends. As Robert said awhile back, the needs are great here. I am thankful for this circle of prayer warriors praying for one another. It is such a reassurance.

  • robert moeller Posted January 12, 2018 2:51 am

    Andrea, you, Lowell, your daughter, son-in-law, and grandson are in my prayers. Tough to read that you and your daughter have a difficult relationship. I’m praying that ways to improve it will be found. While daily conversation would be nice, expecting that seems unrealistic at the moment.
    I don’t hear from my daughter every day, sometimes not for weeks, yet I know she cares about me. She has a very busy career and two young children, 2 and 5. I send emails to let her know how I’m doing and was there for a visit in December. Thank you for the baby quilt you are making.

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