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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

AS YOU SEEK to follow God’s direction for your life, trust that you are never beyond God’s ability to guide. In fact, to God, there’s no such thing as a detour. Think about it: A detour simply means we aren’t pursuing the route we originally had in mind. Believing a detour offers a new opportunity from God can encourage us to welcome these possibilities.

Recall missionary Frank Laubach’s daily prayer, “God, what are you doing in the world today that I can help with?” This prayer came as a result of a detour. In 1915, a Christian missionary organization sent Laubach to the Philippines, where he taught at Union Theological Seminary in Manila. He was almost elected president of the seminary, missing it by one vote – the vote he cast for the other candidate!

Not long afterward, he had the opportunity to work with the Maranao tribe in the southern Philippines. Realizing that these Muslim people could not read or write, he discovered a passion that would become his all-consuming mission: literacy. The people didn’t receive Laubach at first, but because of his willingness to live among them, learn their language, and listen to them, they finally received his teaching.

Church donations to mission work dried up during the Great Depression, and Laubach had no resources to keep teaching the tribe. The chieftain who learned to read and write under Laubach said, “If I can learn, anyone can learn. Let each one who learned to read teach someone else.” This led to the “each one teach one” literacy method that was eventually adopted in over a hundred countries.

Laubach’s work has been lauded around the world. He became known as the “Apostle to the Illiterates.” Like Paul, this apostle’s great work may have never been realized had it not been for a rerouting.

Sometimes we may not get where we meant to go, but where we end up turns out better than where we were headed.

– Rob Fuquay
Which Way, Lord?

From pages 77-78 of Which Way, Lord? Exploring Your Life’s Purpose in the Journeys of Paul by Rob Fuquay. Copyright © 2017 by Rob Fuquay. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

As you pray today, ask: “God, what are you doing in the world today that I can help with?” Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

Fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is no one who does good.

Psalm 14:1 NRSV

This Week: pray for the mind of Christ. 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: Mary Magdalene (July 22).

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

2 Comments

  • Julie Posted July 24, 2018 9:49 am

    Another doctor appointment today.
    Good report yesterday.
    Please pray that doctor signs form for surgery consent.
    Prayers and blessings for the ur family

  • robert moeller Posted July 24, 2018 12:50 pm

    Sometimes we may not get where we meant to go, but where we end up turns out better than where we were headed.

    At the moment this seems to fit Erich and I, time will tell.

    Thankful for the good news from Julie, very hopeful that the surgery and care will be very helpful. Prayers for a good future that resolves well the current situation where Julie lives,

    Have called, sent a letter, resent emails, checked the trash and junk (SPAM seems to have disappeared) for emails to and from Anneliese. She said she had not heard from me in three days. Hope this is resolved soon.

    Today’s reflection came later thah usual and I am not getting the confirmation emails after I post and send reflection messages. “In this world you will have problems.” How true.

    Thankful for a good workout out the gym, will go out for dinner on Saturday.
    The car is in good shape and will registered and inspected for VT soon. My first car with Vermont – The Green Mountain State plates.

    Thankful for “Pachinko” a novel near and dear to me, progress with the Bismarck steam locomotive model. cool lemonade, and nice sandwiches for lunch. Thank You, Lord.

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