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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

RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR ABBA FATHER requires that we learn how to give and receive in prayer. …

Let me tell you how I am learning to receive in prayer. Most mornings I arrive at my office about an hour before I start working. I begin my time of prayer by relaxing into God’s presence. I normally sit — quiet, relaxed — remembering God’s presence within me and around me. I ask the Holy Spirit to help me be open to the love and grace that comes to me each moment from God’s heart. Sometimes a few items weigh so heavily on my mind that I blurt them out immediately to God, but talking with God is not the main purpose of this time together. Receiving prayer for me is more about creating space for the Holy Spirit to work in me. I embrace other times when I can speak at length with God.

Once I have settled into the quiet, I read a few words from God’s good-news story in scripture. I usually have chosen a Bible passage before beginning my time of prayer. I am not trying to learn anything new while I read; rather, I am seeking to meet with God. It is like slowly reading a letter from my wife, Debbie. As I read, I begin to think of her. The letter helps me feel closer to her, and often I can sense my own love for her deepening. Most of all, savoring the letter renews my sense of Debbie’s love for me. Her words on paper help me receive her love into my life. I have this same experience when I read a scripture passage slowly. It helps me refocus on those warm rays of divine love and grace that God continuously sends out.

Next I receive God’s love and grace into my life by opening my heart and mind to God. This is the way I approach it: I have a favorite love-word for God. I whisper it over and over again as an expression of my love for God. Someitmes Iwill use the phrase “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.” At other times I express no words, only the longing of my heart to know Christ more deeply. Then I sit in the silence with God with my hands open. Obviously, distracting thoughts jostle around in my mind and clamor for my attention. I don’t get too worried about this and have learned to let these thoughts go as they come. Then I return to my love-word for God or to my prayer for Jesus’ mercy or to my deep longings. This silent part of my praying forms the longest part of my time of receiving prayer.

– Trevor Hudson
Holy Spirit Here and Now

From pages 70-71 of Holy Spirit Here and Now by Trevor Hudson. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

How is prayer both giving to God and receiving from God? Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place?

Psalm 24:3, NRSV

This Week: pray to know God’s deep love for you. 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: Kateri Tekakwitha (July 14).

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

6 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted July 12, 2018 5:50 am

    I believe prayer gives thanks and praise to God for all God has done, is doing, and will do. Scripture and Jesus guide me in what to say. The Holy Spirit helps my prayer. While God knows what I am about to ask for before I ask, God wants to hear me say or think it. God gives answers with guidance and wisdom. God does what is right in response.

    Thankful for resources to replace a damaged hose on the gas grill. It made a delicious chicken kebab dinner possible. Grateful for articles helpful in building a steam locomotive model. Resources make today’s trip with Erich and car repairs next week a reality. Prayers and posts for Erich, Anneliese, and me from the UR family share God’s love and wisdom. Thank You, Lord.

    Julie’s hand surgery and proceedings with her lawyer, Jill’s left hand, her Mom and Dad; Marcy’s trip to the pulmonary doctor and her wellbeing, Connie and her husband, Rusty and K, Lou, her children and Mom; Mary, her colleague, school work, students, and parents, and the praise, thanks, concerns, and hopes of the UR family, your and my church families are in my thoughts and prayers. God bless you all.

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted July 12, 2018 7:12 am

    I give thanks and praise to God. I receive guidance, love, help, joy, blessings and favor from God,

    Thank you God! You are so good to us. May we experience and know more of your deep love for us.

    Blessungs to all!

    May God bless Julie with a speedy recovery, meet dear Marcy, Robert, Erich, Anneliese and all the UR friends’ needs.

    May all be well and find joy in God’s presence!

  • Julie Posted July 12, 2018 8:01 am

    I give thanks and praise and my willingness to serve to the Lord. He gives me guidance, strength, relief from physical aand emotional pain, assurance and rest in His care.
    Prayers for Robert and Erich and their “search.” I know not for what they search but you Lord know and you will reveal it in Your time.
    Prayers of thanks for Mary’s new helpmate in her work. Prayers that her burdens are further reduced. I pray still for Mary’s parents. May Mary have restoring rest this night.
    Prayers for Marcy and yet another doctor visit today. May she have a ride and receive relief from this doctor.
    Prayers for Jill, Gloria, Larry and Becky. Please help them navigate their own feelings as well as those of one another.
    Prayers for Lou and her children, Andrea and her daughter, grandson and Lowell, Connie, Betsy, and Gail.
    Thank you so much for all your prayers and your support. My surgery is at the end of this month. Blood work, EKG, and doctor sign off of paper first.
    Prayers and Blessings to all of the UR family

    • robert moeller Posted July 12, 2018 3:23 pm

      Julie, hope you have at least some sort of protection and pain help between now and the surgery date. I can’t quite imagine having the bone sticking out for a while without protection.

      We are searching for the job, place where Erich can use his skills, experience, and college degree in business management and support himself.

      • Julie Posted July 12, 2018 6:04 pm

        Not an easy task in this day and age. My daughter is also trying to find a job after graduating from college.

        • robert moeller Posted July 13, 2018 2:16 am

          Yes, Julie, that’s certainly true, but then it was tough in my time as well. It may be harder now, but we just have to keep at it. Prayers for your daughter in her job search and for you with your hands, foot, and the big life change that’s coming. Thank you for your prayers for the UR family and beyond.

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