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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

I RECENTLY ATTENDED a church service where several adults were baptized. As part of this ritual, each one of them was asked to affirm his or her choice to be baptized by declaring several sentences that included the words, “I declare my courage to participate in the building of the reign of God that is in the world and in me.” These words moved me deeply. In that moment, I felt compelled to declare my own courage to participate in building the reign of God in the world.

—Henri J. M. Nouwen with Nathan Ball
A Spirituality of Fundraising: Workbook Edition

From pages 24–25 of A Spirituality of Fundraising: Workbook Edition by Henri J. M. Nouwen and Nathan Ball. Copyright © 2019 by by The Henri Nouwen Legacy Trust and The Upper Room. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

How can you participate in building the reign of God in the world today?  Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.
—Luke 9:2, NRSV

Prayer for the Week

Creator God,
Give us vision and mission, so that we may find new life and direction. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.

Something More

Learn more about this week’s featured book, A Spirituality of Fundraising Workbook Edition.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

Sponsored by The Upper Room. Copyright © 2019 | PO Box 340004 | Nashville, TN 37203-0004 | USA

6 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted July 16, 2019 6:20 am

    Try to do what Christ taught. Need Christ’s help to do it.

    Bible study today of the Book of Ephesians using a guide from Max Lucado.
    Am glad Bible study is offered and possible.

    Had my first dentist appointment, lots of x-rays and photos, am being sent to a periodontist for further evaluation. Then will see what can be done.

    It will take about 2 weeks for the window – air-conditioner part to be made.
    Have some hot weather on the way, so far the one air-conditioner we have is helping.

    Storage is being emptied.

    Glad to be here when the reflection arrives. Prayers that everyone can participate in building the reign of God in the world today. We are all needed as each of us has a different combination of spiritual gifts. Thank You, Lord.

  • Jill Posted July 16, 2019 6:34 am

    Last evening was the celebration of life service for my colleague who passed the day before school was out. I knew it was going to be very challenging for me. I was fully overwhelmed. I was able to speak with her sister – she had accompanied Sarah to one of the cancer support meetings. And then I was able to speak with her three children, one of which I had met at Sarah’s last day at school. I shared with them the impact Sarah had made on me in the short three months we had together. I also met her mother. It was such a beautiful service – Sarah such a unique individual. And how she faced the end of her earthly life with fervor and grace – and how that impacted those around her.
    This morning, I “declared” to God – that, I too, want to live well, live intentionally for Him, and be ready to stand in the gap for whomever He will place in my path. In my mind I have ideas of what that should look like – but I have asked Him to make my eyes observant to the opportunities He will place before me.
    I am ever so grateful for a dear friend who came and sat with me last night when I got home from the service. She just sat quietly with me and held me while I cried and then quietly engaged me in conversation – very slowly and carefully. Father – thank You for those You have brought along side me – Your hands and feet.

  • Julie Posted July 16, 2019 8:08 am

    As I related yesterday, I have been contemplating this exact concept. I have declared to God in my prayers that I wish to further His kingdom on earth. I have sought His council and His leading and am still seeking for Him to show how He might use me, compromised hands and feet and all.
    Prayers for Robert’s dental health.
    Prayers for Jill and Sarah’s family and friends, may they remember her with glad hearts.
    Prayers for physical healing for Andrea and Lowell, Connie, and Marcy.
    Prayers for Mary and her family, may joy be theirs.
    Prayers for Betsy and a smooth move.
    Prayers for Lou and her children, may they have more time to visit.
    Prayers for Connie’s garden and hummers.
    Prayers, blessings, warm hugs and thank you dear UR family

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted July 16, 2019 11:25 pm

      Thanks Julie!

      To pray and love more.

      Blessings!

  • Connie Posted July 16, 2019 8:36 am

    Jill, I am so sorry for your grief. So glad you had “God’s hand extended” to you.
    Low 90’s here, but comfortable inside. I am thankful for a\c. It will reach middle nineties soon.
    Julie, you further His Kingdom every day.

    • Julie Posted July 16, 2019 8:45 am

      Thank you

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