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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

WE DON’T ALWAYS think of praying for those locked in a dispute. When we hear that a brother is divorcing or two friends aren’t speaking, we may get caught up in taking sides. Instead we can lift them up to God, sending each one love and strength in the Spirit.

Such prayers might go something like this:
May the wisdom of the Spirit be with each of you.
May your hearts be open to the grace of healing.
O God, our refuge, protect and guide them.
God of love, show them the way to love.

Prayer addresses the helplessness we feel when relationships seem to be unraveling. Each time we hear more of the pain and impasse, we can take the matter to prayer once again.

– Kathleen Fischer
Forgiveness

From page 67 of Forgiveness: Perspectives on Making Peace with Your Past, compiled and introduced by Amy Lyles Wilson. Excerpt is from “It Often Happens By Inches” by Kathleen Fischer. Copyright © 2008 by Fresh Air Books. All rights reserved. Used by permission. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

Pray today’s prayer for persons who you know are in conflict. Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

There was once a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. That man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.

Job 1:1, NRSV

This Week: pray for persons struggling with addiction. 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: Thérèse of Lisieux (October 1).

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

13 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted October 1, 2018 4:42 am

    Most certainly prayers for those in conflict, Lord, may Your peace, understanding and desire for resolution be with them.

  • robert moeller Posted October 1, 2018 5:04 am

    Thankful for a new month, resources to pay bills, a successful railroad historical society convention, a ride on a Budd car, and progress toward the goal of moving this coming year.

    Prayers for Gloria, Larry, Becky, and Jill, Marcy, Julie, Connie, Mary, Betsy, Andrea, and Lou as well as all who believe, those who come to the UR, and those are yet to become believers. Prayers for those recovering from natural disasters and grief, may your needs be met.

    It was a busy weekend, but a good one, hope it was good for each of you.

  • robert moeller Posted October 1, 2018 5:12 am

    Thankful for yesterday’s posts from Julie, Connie, Mary, Andrea, welcome Pamela, and Jill. Tennis, cool fall weather, grandchildren, special needs, prayers for others, encouragement and plenty of UR fellowship all included in your messages. Thank you and God be with you.

  • Betsy Posted October 1, 2018 7:02 am

    Praying for those in conflict this day; those on opposing sides in families, work areas, political areas and world issues. May God guide the resolutions.

    Back from a restful trip with friends. Always happy to be back here among my UR family and posts. Wishing a good week for all here. Blessings.

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted October 1, 2018 6:56 pm

      Betsy, glad to hear that you had a restful trip with friends and is safely home now.

      Blessings!

  • Julie Posted October 1, 2018 8:09 am

    My daughter and I had a very enjoyable day aat a festival yesterday. It was lovely weather and the festival is set in a rural setting. There is an eclectic mix of purveyors and I enjoyed long discussions with several. We also listened to bagpipers and Celtic music. Lastly, we enjoyed a reenactment of a battle from the French and Indian War.
    Prayers for Robert and Erich as they continue to plan a move. May their plans align with God’s will. Prayers of thanks for Robert’s joy this weekend while enjoying trains and train rides.
    Prayers of thanks for Betsy’s safe travel.
    Prayers for Marcy. May we soon heargood news from her and may her paiin be less today.
    Prayeers for Jill and her family. Prayers for Mary and her job, may it be less stressful this week. Prayers for Connie as I am thankful for her and her reminders to be always thankful. Prayers for Andrea, her daughter and grandson. Prayers for Lou and her chldren.
    Prayers for all of the UR family, those who share and those who are silent

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted October 1, 2018 6:54 pm

      Thanks Julie!

      So glad that you had an enjoyable day with your daughter yesterday.

      Blessings!

  • Mary Posted October 1, 2018 10:25 am

    Heavely father; I c9me to you for help and prayers for my exhusband and daughters that they find you and become closer to you, so their eyes can see and their mind can see and acknowledge that you are the way the way the hope and the light, and only you are the one who can heal my broken relationship with my daughters and my exhusband and bring us back together as a family. This is my partition and request to you my savior.

  • Mary Posted October 1, 2018 10:32 am

    Heavely father I come to you today with help and guidance that my exhusband who is not making the right choices and is in termoil with the pain that he chose to ruin our family and vows for his friends. I come to you the most holy one , who can and do anything if we ask. I know I am not worthy of your love. But I know you can make miricals happen. In Jesus name, Amen.

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted October 1, 2018 6:51 pm

      Keepin you in prayer Mary.

      May God grant you wisdom and guidance to solve the conflict.

      Blessings!

  • Connie Posted October 1, 2018 10:56 am

    May God be with us each day as we begin October. It is a bittersweet month for me. The Bittersweet Bush reminds me of this and I love its orange berries. I need to find some to put in a vase….maybe I can get to the Farmer’s Market nearby.
    I try to avoid conflict, but will speak up if helpful. My voice is like the “voice in the wilderness” however. I will pray for Mary, who has turmoil around her.
    I thought of our Mary from Singapore when an answer to a question was that Singapore was the closest to the equator than the other countries mentioned. Thus quite hot, I believe they said. (Millionaire Quiz Show).
    God bless you all.

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted October 1, 2018 6:48 pm

      Thanks Connie! Yes, Singapore is hot now but do have air con. Thanks to God for the invention of electricity and air con.

      May God bless you abundantly and may you be able to get the orange berries you love!

  • Andrea Posted October 1, 2018 12:01 pm

    It is gray, chilly, drizzly autumn day. I have been very tired lately. Today’s reflection is a good reminder to pray generously, especially in a time of high conflict. I believe praying this way is as beneficial to the pray-er as it is to those being prayed for.

    I am thankful for emails this morning from two high school friends with whom I have not been in touch . I am thankful also for five other high school friends with whom friendships have already been renewed at my 50th high school reunion last summer. It is a blessing to re- connect with those “golden friends” from childhood.

    I have reached out to a friend who directs a bell choir at a church in a suburb about 12 miles from us. For two years, I played in a bell choir at a church closer by, where I knew no one, and I did not find a sense of comfort there. I hope to start playing bells again at my friend’s church.

    I am thankful for the current smooth sailing with my daughter. I feel there has been healing. I thank you for your prayers.

    Prayers for dear UR friends, those for whom you pray, and for all UR visitors. Wishing all a blessed October.

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