Words of Hope During COVID-19
Max O. Vincent, author of Because of This I Rejoice, describes how praying a psalm at noon each day has given him an anchor during the uncertain times of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Today’s Reflection
Through prayer, we enter more consciously into the rich, full, and free intimacy that Jesus shares with Abba. Through our conversational transparency with God, we open ourselves to receive more of God’s mercy in the broken spaces of our hearts and minds. We give God’s presence greater and more intimate access to our lives.
—Anthony Egan, Trevor Hudson, and Russell Pollitt, Divine Friendship: Reflections for Lent (Upper Room Books, 2018)
Today’s Question
What spiritual practices enable you to open yourself to God’s mercy? Join the conversation.
Today’s Scripture
Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
—Hebrews 4:16 (NRSV)
Prayer for the Week
May this Holy Week be one of challenge, growth, and an ever-deepening friendship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
Let us join in prayer together with this Maundy Thursday Prayer.
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
6 Comments
Having the ability and discipline to recognize when my thoughts are racing and to settle into silence and stillness, seeking Him. I can remember several years ago when I was a hostage to poor thoughts, out of control thoughts. And I just jumped on board and rode that train. No longer. It’s about taking those thoughts captive…or at least desiring to corral them…and asking Abba, Father to capture them and secure them in His mercy. Thank You, Father, for the vast difference this has made, for space for Your grace and mercy.
Yes, indeed, the storm was intense a night ago. About simultaneously when the tornado warning came blaring across my phone at 11:58, my electricity went out and the sound of the wind was as close to a freight train as I have ever heard it. The hail was crashing against my windows and I grabbed Roger, a candle, a flash light and we went to the basement. It was a continual wind and train sound for at least 10 minutes and the lightning was non-stop. Roger and I finally came out of the basement around 12:35. It was very intense. Power was out until 12:35 in the afternoon – causing school to be “closed” for me, at least my morning on-line session. I found out on the evening news that multiple tornadoes did touch down in my area, including one which was on a path that was about two miles to the south of me. There wasn’t any significant damage as I went out for my run in the morning, but I could see where some crews had cut limbs down around power lines. My dad found out that power might not have been restored until this evening. I was making plans to take meat from my freezer to his freezer – and was relieved when my power came on.
As we continue in these Holy Days, considering Christ and His Passion through the Cross, may we be stilled in awe of His sacrifice and His call on our lives.
When I cry out to the Lord admitting my powerlessness, my need, my wretchedness, my problems. When I recognize that I am in situations beyond my control and ackowledge that only He has control at all times, then I am prepared and ready and able to receive God’s mercy.
Prayers for Jill, Larry, and Roger. Praise the Lord that Jill was spared by the tornado as I was very worried for you and thought of you and prayed for your safety all day. We received the same storm and it was frightening. The tornados in our area did not come near my home and though we lost power it was momentary only. Praise to God agaiin and again.
Prayers for Ally and David, may David recover from Covid 19 and may his symptoms subside.
Prayers for Andrea, Lowell and their family, may all be safe from sickness and remain able to walk in nature.
Prayers for April and her family, may all remain healthy and may April continue to find solace in her lily.
Prayers for BJ and her mom for health and continued closeness to one another and the Lord.
Prayers for Lou and her family, may all remain safe even as school and work are in chaos.
Prayers for Rick and his husband, for their continued health, continued learning online and continued connection on Zoom with church and friends.
Prayers for Robert, hold him in Your arms Lord, keeping him safe and well and may he continue to enjoy Zoom fellowship.
Megan and I must do some shopping today as I have meds to get at the pharmacy. They are restricting the number of people allowed in the stores, so have no idea how long this will take. I am so glad I had just purchased a new bread machine as bread can be scarce and homenade bread is so much better.
Prayers and thank you UR
I thank you all for your prayers for David and me. I’m waiting to speak with his nurse. As of last night, he is stable and according to his nurse, doing well, considering. Vitals have been good. As I pray, read scripture and meditate, I have received God’s mercy. I have also received mercy through the waiting. There are many passages of scripture about waiting on the Lord. As the Tom Petty song says, the waiting is the hardest part. I am not a patient person as a rule, but God is teaching me stillness in this waiting. This is a marathon not a sprint. David and I must pace ourselves. I praise God that Jill and Julie were spared by the tornadic storms and lift up those who had damage. All, know that I lift up your needs to the Lord. I pray as we all wait for “normal” to return (knowing none of us will be the same) that we find meaningful ways to fill our days. May we do some things that bring us joy. Have a blessed day, all.
Greetings,
This time of sheltering in place has given me more opportunities to pray with longer meditations, and read scripture. I very much like the words of hope from UR and my local church and conference. I find them to be comforting and calming. Praise God, my Pastor has turned the corner and is beginning to feel much better. School has been keeping me so busy, challenging me with having to navigate a whole new way of learning. It requires me to be much more disciplined with better time management in the online format. I know this has been equally difficult for faculty and staff to come up with new and creative ways to teach us in this manner. I am making progress and grateful for this opportunity.
Jill, so grateful to hear you are well and safe. Prayers for you, your family and students. Your post was much like I felt early on when I was learning how to be alone with God. Especially when trying out ways of quiet meditation, Beautiful! Julie, you are an inspiration and a blessing. Praying you and Megan ,continue to be safe and find all you need while out shopping. Ally continued prayers for healing for you and David, Your faith and passion is deeply inspiring. Prayers for Robert, Connie, Andrea, BJ, Lou and all those that we have not heard from may you be well. Continued prayers and thanks for those on the frontlines providing care and for our daily needs. May all who visit find comfort and peace. Thank you UR staff for the many opportunities and formats for prayer and meditation.
A word that comes to mind regarding our question today is receive. To know that our Lord offers mercy is one thing, but to be open to receive it is another. I pray that my heart may be open at all times to receive all that He bestows on me….all of his blessings, hope, love, help….
So good to hear of Dave’s progress with COVID-19!! these stories are such an inspiration as we usually only hear of other statistics. May Dave continue to recover and you, Ally, stay healthy.
So glad that Jill and Julie were safe from all of the storms last night.
Rick, bless you for your hard work of studying. So glad to hear your pastor is recovering.
Soon I will be listening to Maundy Thursday services online and tomorrow will be Good Friday. How interesting to read comparisons of believers on that first Easter to believers today, sheltered in our homes. But Christ came in through locked doors then and I know that He is present in our homes today too. And he brings us Peace.
Blessings dear UR Family….may we receive all that You have prepared for us.
Thankful for Jill’s safety, the recovery of Rick’s pastor, and Dave’s improvement. Prayers for everyone.
I was blessed by news that family in Germany are well and encouraged by the action taken by townspeople to witness to others. Maundy Thursday service here on ZOOM. Breakfast and Good Friday service tomorrow. God keep you safe. Thank You, Lord.
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