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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

From pages 11-12 of Easter Earthquake: How Resurrection Shakes Our World by James A. Harnish. Copyright © 2017 by The Upper Room. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

What do you fear? Share your thoughts.

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

My Saviour God; How great Thou art, how great Thou art.
—from “How Great Thou Art,” words and music by Stuart K. Hine, 1949

Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.

Did You Know?

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Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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7 Comments

  • Danseb Posted February 25, 2019 12:26 am

    I have fear to be too weak, and to not resist temptations.
    I have fear for my family, for the evil i could do and the good i couldn’t do to them.
    I have fear of my own inadequacy in this world.

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted February 25, 2019 3:04 am

    I memorize Scripture so I am not afraid and I believe God is powerful.

    May we all experience the power of God’s word and be protected from all harm and danger.

    Blessings!

  • robert moeller Posted February 25, 2019 7:14 am

    I’m sure that in desperate situations I can and will be afraid, but I also know that through some tough situations Christ, God, and the Holy Spirit have enabled me. Winter roads and driving conditions can make you nervous, if someone pointed a loaded gun at me, I’d be anxious, and waking up to a house on fire or a tornado would cause panic. I’m human.

    THANKFUL THAT THROUGH ANY DANGER GOD IS CAPABLE OF TAKING CARE OF ME. I THINK I ALSO NEED TO REMEMBER THAT WHAT I MIGHT EXPECT WILL NOT ALWAYS BE WHAT GOD DOES, BUT THAT GOD KNOWS BEST.

    Posts about the saints have disappeared from the UR. I had a hard timne getting used to then, but now that they are gone, i miss them.

  • robert moeller Posted February 25, 2019 7:27 am

    Long awaited good news! The condo has sold. Anneliese will benefit for many years as she holds the mortgage. A plan is being developed to deal with serious problems with her spine. Thankfully there is health insurance snd her family doctor is working to get her help at home. Taxes are done and the financial future looks better. Thank You, Lord.

  • Julie Posted February 25, 2019 8:11 am

    Everyone knows my fears – the situation with h, my Reynaud’s and my future, it is completely unknown! But I fear each day, I beg God to give me the strength to get each one. The physical pain makes it difficult but also the uncertainty.
    Prayers for Robert as he continues to plan his move may God guide him.
    Prayers of thanksgiving for many positive occurences for Anneliese.
    Prayers for Mary and her ever poitive words.
    prayers for Betsy, may she have travels and a wonderful visit with her new grandson.
    Prayers for Connie and her blue heart. May sun fill her world today.
    Prayers for Lou and her family, may all be doing well.
    Prayers for Andrea and Lowell and the continued physical healing.
    Prayers for Rusty and his family, may they be well.
    Prayers for April and her family, may they be well.
    Prayers for Marcy, may she be reiving all she needs.
    Prayers for Jill and her family. May they feel God’s peace surround them.
    It is very windy here and has been for about 24 hours. Many people are without power and trees have fallen on homes and cars. I pray for safety for those affected and those working to restore power. Thank you God that so far we have not been affected.
    Thank you for your prayers and kind words.
    Prayers, blessings, and warm hugs dear UR family

  • Andrea Posted February 25, 2019 8:55 am

    When I was about 30 years old and living on my own, I woke up one night and a strange man with a flashlight was in my bedroom. I yelled at him to leave and he did, closing the bedroom door behind him. I turned on the light, took a pair of sewing scissors in my hand (my only weapon), sat on the bed and listened intently for footsteps. Automatically, a Bible verse came to mind: Perfect love casts out fear. I repeated the verse like a mantra. After about five minutes, I got up and went to the hallway where the phone was and called the police. They came and searched the house. The man was gone. That Bible verse, 1 John 4:18, saved me from crumpling. I had no fear as it was happening and I thought clearly.

    I have had fears at difficult times in my life since that incident. Turning to God and trusting is my automatic response.

  • Edy Posted February 25, 2019 2:23 pm

    Fear of the unknown is anxiety. I’m trying hard to trust God and know He is in control of everything. I have to give it to Him. All of my fears! My son just got word of his surgery date and I’m so scared! It’s a serious brain surgery. I’m a mature Christian and fully know better than to worry, please continue to pray for Billy.

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