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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

This was the first but not the last time that I heard the sound advice of law enforcement agencies, security firms, and first responders rub up against the mandates of the gospel: Love God and love your neighbor as yourself. . . .
I came to understand the problem as one of mission. All sorts of people are eager to mitigate the fear generated by an avalanche of mass shootings in this country. The agencies presenting their solutions and suggestions are driven by motives that might at times overlap but are not at one with the mission of a church, the hope of the gospel.

—Rosalind C. Hughes, Whom Shall I Fear? Urgent Questions for Christians in an Age of Violence (Upper Room Books, 2021)

Today’s Question

When have you noticed a discrepancy between sound advice and the gospel message? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love.
—1 John 4:18, NRSV

Prayer for the Week

Lord,
Even though I walk through lonely and dark times, I will fear nothing, because you are with me; your guidance and authority comfort me. (Adapted from Psalm 23:4)
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

Help make your church a safer place for children, youth, and vulnerable adults. Join us in October for a four-part webinar series introducing Safer Sanctuaries: Nurturing Trust within Faith Communities. Learn more here.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

2 Comments

  • Julie Posted September 12, 2022 8:57 am

    I understand the need to be cautious and that we are to also not worry but trust God. In my study Bible they point out that the passages of do not worry do not negate our common sense and instinct to flee harmful situations. God sometimes provides by informing us of times when we are in danger.
    I am currently having new windows installed so I will comment further tomorrow.

  • Jill Posted September 12, 2022 6:22 pm

    I guess my question would be what defines “sound advice”? Are we talking about sound advice in the worldly sense? The Bible needs to be the only authority by which we make our choices, decisions. The “soundness”…what does that mean? How does it measure up against the Word of God?
    A challenging day at school, but I feel like it went fairly well. What I mean by that is there were no uncontrollable emotional outbursts. There were tears, hugs received. One student did not come, because he was just not prepared for what the day would look like. We know who we need to keep an especially close eye on. We (colleagues) are also looking out for each other.
    It was good to take a walk after dinner, just getting out some of the strenuousness of the day. I am quite tired and hope sleep will come much easier than it has the past couple of nights.

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