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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 breath of God makes human life possible. That energy, that divine Spirit, enlivens human existence. We walk with God as we accept the divine love breathed into us. From God we receive life, consciousness, and awareness of our Source.

So breathe deeply. Fill your lungs with fresh air. Hold that breath briefly. Then release the air you are holding, ridding yourself of the old and making space for the new. And as you breathe, rejoice in the gift of life. Let the rise and fall of your lungs be a celebration of the amazing gift of being alive!

—J. David Muyskens, Sacred Breath: 40 Days of Centering Prayer (Upper Room Books, 2010)

Today’s Question

What prayer rises from your spirit as you breathe deeply? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being.
—Genesis 2:7 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Pause to breathe deeply. Fill your lungs with fresh air. Hold that breath briefly. Then release the air you are holding, ridding yourself of the old and making space for the new. And as you breathe, rejoice in the gift of life. Let the rise and fall of your lungs be a celebration of the amazing gift of being alive!
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

For too long Lent has been thought of as a season of self-sacrifice and discipline, but author Max O. Vincent reminds us to approach Easter with JOY in his book Because of This I Rejoice: Reading Philippians During Lent. Use promo code EVERY15 to receive a 15% discount when purchasing this title from The Upper Room online store. Promotion ends February 28, 2021.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

5 Comments

  • Julie Posted January 27, 2021 8:31 am

    Lord, lift me out of this untenable situation. Take from me the stress and anxiety and replace them strength and faith.
    Prayers for Ally, David and Rachel. I pray for continued healing for all three and a better financial situation for Ally and David. May Ally find a good position and may David’s legal issues concerning his ex be over.
    Prayers for Jill, Larry and her students. May all find ways to connect and find common ground. May all uphold the highest standard of teaching, learning, and sharing. May all grow together in learning about one another and connecting during times of duress and sorrow.
    Prayers for Robert and his son, may counseling aid them in developing a deeper relationship based on mutual respect and love.
    The breeder that I got my three Tonks from finally returned my email and she is concrning having one more litter. I will reply and inquire further. Her kittens were Pooka, Chai and Tazzie and all were sweet and wonderful from day one.

  • Rick Posted January 27, 2021 3:08 pm

    Greetings,

    Lord, So many changes for me this year and with the pandemic looming around us. At times I’ve felt like Job yet I know you are always with me. I’ve been reclusive and and found it difficult to focus and keep centered. I’ve found it difficult to be in prayer and meditation. Your strength has allowed me to accomplish much. I confess I’ve become reclusive and at times lonely and be in fear and anxiety. Perhaps I was too settled and unwilling to change, Yet here I am Lord. I am Blessed and have so much to be grateful for, and I am never alone with you. The verse that has been on my heart today is the Psalm 23. Guide me Father help me to find my center and to be in full connection with you and in service to others. May i regain my passion and and use my gifts and talents.

    Julie, I’m prying for you and for Jill, Ally and David as well as Rachel and Jill and Larry as well as Robert and his son. I pray Lou and Marci are well. You have all been on my mind and in my heart. As well as the others in this sacred space we share. Blessing to all.

  • robert moeller Posted January 27, 2021 4:31 pm

    With breathes I am thankful to be alive. Almost immediately long ago breathing was a problem for me.I had pneumonia before I came home after being born, allergies often initiated colds, bronchitis, even asthma Thankfully by the time I was on my early 20s my allergies subsided and now only rarely make their presence known.. Thank You, Lord. With breath came the gift of life.

    Am not intentionally posting late, but am very glad to be able to read the posts made so far. Yes, Lord, I lend my heartfelt prayers to those made before me today and give thanks for the prayers offered for me. I am thankful that my income tax return has been filed, I had a good walk in the woods, met people whose car I bumped and made arrangements, was helped by a witness to this situation, have received help from fellow railroad fans and modelers, and enjoyed one of Erich’s great meals. I am hopeful that soon to be received resources will be beneficial for him and help him as the pandemic comes to an end. Yes, despite the still terrible death toll and slower than desired or needed vaccination of people, I see an end to this pandemic and with it the opportunity for growth.
    Thank You, Lord.

  • Jill Posted January 27, 2021 6:07 pm

    The prayer that rises is three fold and on opposite ends of the prayer spectrum.
    Father – thank You for Your Presence, Your sovereignty, the sufficiency with I have in You, as well as in my circumstances.
    Father – guard my attitude and words and help me to not grow weary as I teach another day online and look at icons, instead of faces. As I all I hear is my monologue. I have never struggled to engage students, but then I have never taught under these circumstances.
    And Father – strengthen my god daughter as she finishes out this basketball season, which has been a disappointment in so many ways. And be with her dear momma, who quite possibly suffers even more as she watches her daughter be so discontent and fragile at times.
    And every now and then – oh yes, Father – Thy will be done.
    Again, I trust that He knows that is in the deepest core of my heart.
    Father – I echo the concerns and prayers of gratitude shared hear by fellow companions. You are working, You are restoring, You are transforming – and we are grateful.

  • Paul Tagliamonte Posted January 27, 2021 7:55 pm

    This is a prayer that I said in bed as a young adolescent at the time of Cuban Blockade 1962:
    I love you God. Please make it peace.

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