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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

As ministry, fundraising is equally concerned about the well-being of the asker, the giver, and the beneficiaries. Each part of this fundraising equation can be a blessing to the other parts. If the process of asking, giving, and receiving does not lift and honor each party, then it is not ministry and service. . . . Fundraising as ministry expects that we will engage, dialogue, dream, and pray together. In so doing, we all can benefit spiritually.

—Henri J.M. Nouwen with Nathan Ball, A Spirituality of Fundraising Workbook Edition (Upper Room Books, 2019)

Today’s Question

How can you be mindful of the well-being of everyone involved in your daily activities?
Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Let each of you look not to your own interests but to the interests of others.
—Philippians 2:4 (NRSVUE)

Prayer for the Week

Dear God, show me how to use my talents and my treasures in ways that demonstrate my love for you and for my neighbors. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

Join the Henri Nouwen Society for A Spirituality of Fundraising: For Those Who Give & Raise Funds every Wednesday from February 7–March 6, 2024. This webinar series will bring together fundraisers and philanthropists for honest and rich conversations about spiritual postures and practices for health and sustainability. Register here.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

5 Comments

  • Jill Posted January 21, 2024 7:15 am

    On my own, my ability to be mindful of others is very limited. I need to be intentional about seeking His help so that I can move past myself and put others as a priority. I can do superficial things well, but when I operate on auto-pilot, I am self seeking and self pleasing by nature.
    One of my prayers each morning before school is to be gentle. I think I can come across as brusk. I used to bring quite an element of sarcasm into my classroom. The students to whom it was not directed, found it funny at times. But how many students did I “strike” with my comments. I have tried very hard to seek help from the Spirit to still my critical nature. I got this from my mom and very easily it was woven into my nature. With God’s help, my recognition and submission – there has been a significant denouncement of this. But it can and does still rear its ugly head. I must return to the altar again and again, seeking His help in banishing this from my nature. I must be especially careful when stressed or overly tired. God, thank You for the changes You have brought about in me.
    My god son’s team won again last night. They are 13-1. He played very solid last night.
    Prayers for those who come hear seeking solace, quietness and encouragement. May God be near you this week.

  • Ally Posted January 21, 2024 8:58 am

    To follow Jesus’ great commandment to Love the Lord and to love our neighbors as ourselves; follow the directive of today’s scripture, to put the interests of others before our own. To ask God through prayer help us be attentively to the needs of our neighbors.
    I ask this morning for prayer for my dear friend and her family. She was diagnosed with Esophageal cancer and it has metastasized to other areas of her body. She is very weak and chemo is not an option because her body could not take it. She is dear and sweet and I’m so sad.
    David and I were able to purchase a car this week and we praise God for God’s goodness and that this took place in God’s timing. I start training this week to become a Certified Peer Specialist. This may open up some doors for my career in mental health.
    I thank God for the ministry of UR and for this forum. Blessings to all!

    • Lou Posted January 21, 2024 1:37 pm

      Prayers for you and your friend Ally- thinking of you today- and sending warm hugs and prayers.

  • Lou Posted January 21, 2024 9:00 am

    Thanks for your honesty Jill. I too need the Lord’s help as many times I look for others to seek me out instead of the other way around. I often need to reset and thankfully my prayer time or time here helps me do just that and I close this site and go immediately to reach out to someone who I know could use a friend instead of my waiting for someone to be my friend! I’ll do that again today! Sometimes we all just need reminders – and that’s ok I guess- we aren’t perfect but we try to do what Jesus would want us to do. The world around us is sometimes unkind and we just need to be mindful and carry on with love.
    Love and peace to all who come here today.
    Prayers especially for Andrea and Lowell

  • Andrea Posted January 21, 2024 12:35 pm

    Lowell is home from the hospital, three days of trying to get his pain under control. He is getting around well with a walker yet needing a fair amount of assistance, and I’m learning the caregiving role, mindful of his well-being in our new normal. He is sweet and appreciative and his sense of humor is intact. I feel blessed that we are close and these recent weeks have brought us closer. I feel God’s presence physically manifested in the human angels who appear to help and support us. Today I feel a sense of peace and know I must take it one day at a time. I am thankful for the present and hope Lowell and I have a length of time ahead of us to be together. Lou and others, thank you for your prayers. Ally, I pray for your friend with metastatic cancer. Prayers, ongoing, for dear UR friends. It is comforting to be with you here. Wishing all a blessed Sunday

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