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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 earthshaking promise of Easter is that God has not forsaken any of us. The risen Christ will meet us along the confused, chaotic, fearful paths of our lives and speak the same words the women hear at the tomb, “Do not be afraid.”

Too often we build our lives on the bedrock of fear: fear of terrorism, fear for the economy, fear of people who are different from us, fear of anything politicians tell us to fear in order to maintain power, fear of rejection, fear of sickness, fear of death. But the Resurrection shatters the power of fear. Because Christ is risen we no longer allow fear to dominate, control, or manipulate us. We don’t remain imprisoned in the tombs of our past failures or buried under the weight of present anxiety. In the risen Christ old things pass away and everything becomes new.

—James A. Harnish, Easter Earthquake: How Resurrection Shakes Our World (Upper Room Books, 2017)

Today’s Question

What do you fear? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified.”
—Matthew 28:5, NRSV

Prayer for the Week

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
And he shall reign for ever and ever.
King of kings forever and ever!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
And Lord of lords forever and ever!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

From Messiah by George Frideric Handel et al., 1685–1759.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

As we walk with Jesus through this Holy Week, join us at 11:00 a.m. Central time on Monday, Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday for special times of prayer and worship with The Upper Room. Join us on Facebook Live and YouTube.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

Monday of Holy Week

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

5 Comments

  • Lou Posted March 29, 2021 7:00 am

    What do I fear? I hate to admit this but the list is great. I’ve always been a worrier but in my late fifties and trying to learn how to live alone after a 30 year relationship I am ashamed to say that my fears and worrying occupy too much of my time. I work in it and I do trust in God to help me but it is definitely something I struggle with.
    Prayers for all this week as we are in Holy Week- I pray for all to find God’s peace and the love that only He can give. Prayers for our world as we struggle to regain some sense of normalcy. Prayers that God will calm the seas and help us all to “fear not” for God is with us always.

  • robert moeller Posted March 29, 2021 7:45 am

    I’m afraid of the future for my children and grandchildren. God keeps me going, but there is no belief for them. We all have the ability to believe, they don’t exercise it. Thankful for vaccination, today my son can sign up, my daughter has hers. Yes, I too pray “for all to find God’s peace and the love that only He can give. Prayers for our world as we struggle to regain some sense of normalcy. Prayers that God will calm the seas and help us all to “fear not” for God is with us always.” Thank You, Lord.

  • Julie Posted March 29, 2021 8:46 am

    I, too, fear much. Top of my list is of course the upcoming hearing and its outcome. I worry about my daughter and her safety and job seeking. I fear for my mother and her declining health.
    I echo the fears for the world as well as for unbelievers. I fear the overeaching and lyes of some in governemt. I fear we will never be free of this pandemic, not in a true sense and that its effects are here to stay and will reverberate well into the future.
    Prayers for Lou and her fears, may God calmher worries. Prayers for Robert and his heartfelt fears for his children’s and grandchildren’s lack of faith. Prayers for Ally’s job search and David’s health. Prayers for Jill’s travels and Larry’s continued sorrow and upcoming sad anniversary. Prayers for April’s continued reading of the Bible and may she find more understanding..
    Prayers the Lord quiets all the turbulent waters for all posters, readers, and UR administrators.

  • April Posted March 29, 2021 11:23 am

    Fear is a very strong word….like a 10. I have been in situations where I have been there but right now I have dialed it back some as I feel I have strengthened my faith and trust to God who has all of my fears under control. I go back to the 4 truths that our pastor shares at the end of each sermon:
    You are loved and matter to God
    No crisis lasts forever.
    There is always hope.
    Others can help, just ask.
    I feel our UR Family and their prayers as they cover me every day, even if I do not have a special fear. This continuous stream of love calms me and reaffirms how necessary God and others are as we journey through life. I pray the prayers that are posted and lift you all up. Blessings this Holy Week, wave your palms high, Christ has Risen!!

  • Jill Posted March 29, 2021 1:52 pm

    I don’t know that I have fear…but things which are on my radar and I certainly don’t look forward to are: #1 – dad’s declining health and ultimate passing and #2 – my declining physical ability to do what I enjoy. But I don’t fear them – I know God is sovereign and He will see me through both. I trust Him – and it is such a good thing to say that, actually mean it and have peace with it. It doesn’t mean that in the midst of those future occurrences I won’t waver. It means that right now – I know those things are on the horizon and I am clinging to Him. I look back in awe at how He sustained me and continues to sustain me with regards to mom’s illness and passing. I need Him, every hour I need Him. And He is there, supplying each need. And re-working some desires.
    I feel like I have crested the mountain – with regards to school and the worst of it, as far as time consumption and stress – and I am now looking downwards. I actually have great confidence that I will work out of here Thursday in good shape, with things in place for the two weeks following. Grateful to be done with material with my seniors. My one group takes the final portion of their semester exam tomorrow. The other two senior classes took one portion today and the others once I return from San Diego. That cuts planning way down, as well as grading. It is very good.
    I am able to recognize this and also, the renewal of my laboring under my conceived notion of caring for my dad. Two nice, refreshing recognitions. I feel like when dad and I get back – the weather will be much better – he will be out golfing with his friends and we can golf on the weekend, eat outside and go for walks. I feel like another corner has been turned – and it is encouraging.
    I pray you all will find encouragement as well – in big or small things. May God renew your vigor during this Holy Week.

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