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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

LISTENING TO OUR INNER selves with respectful attention releases us from rigid judgment. It opens the door to God’s healing and transformation within. Likewise it prepares the way for empathetic listening to others, perceiving the wound, helping to release the gift. Bringing this inner shalom both to ourselves and to others is one of the supreme adventures on the journey of forgiveness.

—Flora Slosson Wuellner, Forgiveness the Passionate Journey: Nine Steps of Forgiving through Jesus’ Beatitudes (Upper Room Books, 2001)

Today’s Question

How can you practice more empathetic listening to your inner self and to others? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Know this, my dear brothers and sisters: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to grow angry.
—James 1:19 (CEB)

Prayer for the Week

Holy One, give me guidance to listen, clarity to address my pain, and strength to forgive.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

Explore resources from Pockets and devozine magazines designed to help young people love each other even when it’s difficult. Learn more.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

4 Comments

  • Jill Posted January 20, 2020 5:45 am

    I have had empathetic listening extended to me by gracious friends, dear sisters in Christ. Their selflessness, non concern for time, pointed, yet tender questions, and always pointing me to Scripture and Christ – these are things I notice and are trying to claim as my own as I engage others in conversation.
    Good sharing, yet again, at the cancer support group yesterday morning. Regardless of who comes, the number in attendance, God is in our midst and is glorified by what is shared.
    Grateful for one more day off from my regular routine. School work still remains to be done. Taking my friend to her PT today, glad I am available to do so. As always, I will benefit from time spent with her.

  • Julie Posted January 20, 2020 8:21 am

    An interesting concept, to empathically listen to myself. I have never been kind with myself. I feel another nudge from God to seek counselling. I empathically listen to others, this is part of course work for Master’s of Social Work. I was always good at asking questions of others because I am interested in other people and do not like talking about myself.
    Prayers for Jill as she helps a friend and tackles school work.
    Prayers for Andrea, may her back pain be minimal and her discussions with her daughter be fruitful.
    Prayers for April and her family. Prayers for BJ and her mother. Prayers for Connie, may her health improve. Prayers for Lou as she finds a new way to fill her time and new friends. Prayers for Mary, may she be successful during her mission trip. Prayers for Marcy, may she be safe and receiving benefits and help. Prayers for Robert as he continues with his dental work and support of Erich. Prayers for Rick, may his blood pressure respond to the new medication and may his course issues be resolved soon and to his advantage. Perhaps when your schooling is more settled your blood pressure will improve. As for the move, I, too, have a problem with change and since you are in the middle of school, this is understandable.
    Megan and I spent a wonderful, but cold and tiring day together shopping yesterday. The drastic change in temperature here is hard to adjust to (70 last Saturday and now in the low 20s).
    Prayers and thank you UR

  • robert moeller Posted January 20, 2020 6:55 pm

    Later than usual, I do wish the New Every Morning came before I got up although I am not anxious to be the first to post. Solid and good posts from Jill and Julie. Schoolwork on a long weekend, a necessary task,
    but not always first on the wish to do list. Hope it got done, Thankful Jill has such devoted listeners and advisors. Truly a most precious blessing. Good news that Julie and Megan (no “h”) had such fun shopping.
    Yes, the weather temperatures have been on a roller coaster. Thankful that here in NH is is snow covered and chilly as it should be this tine of the year. My heart prays the prayers Julie wrote, especially for Marcy’s needs and well being and Mary’s mission trip. Good health and well being, acting upon God’s guidance, peace and problems solved, closer relations with family and friends, and the every presence of God are things I ask for, give thanks for, praise God for, and wish for all the world. Thank You, Lord.

    Dental and car repair appointments made, Erich skied, and my long awaited train part should be here Friday. Thank You, Lord

  • Rick Posted January 20, 2020 8:20 pm

    How can I practice more empathetic listening to my inner self and to others?

    This is a constant and continuing process of healing for me. I find too it is difficult to listen to myself… I too am guilty in the past of not treating myself well. Prayer and Mediation has been a major benefit in my life. Therapy helped tremendously and I continue to see a therapist now as needed. I’ve been very blessed with brothers and sisters in my faith that continue to guide me. I also have spiritual mentors too. My work in my program and in working with others provides a bright light. My Stephens Minister training and leadership training has taught me a lot about the art of listening. As well as the importance of turning to scripture. I will follow up with my doctor tomorrow and hopefully the new med will work. The last six weeks have been troubling as this was a change precipitated due to a fairly large recall on the med that was working. I received confirmation that my schedule is good to go for next semester. I used to embrace change. I do indeed find change difficult as I mature.
    Jill,I pray your time with your friend was blessed and that your are able to get your school work done. Julie, I am grateful you and Megan had a beautiful day and Pray you are well.
    Continued prayers for all, may you all be well and feel God’s presence.

    Blessings

    Rick

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