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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

AT A RECENT RETREAT, Wendy [Miller] invited persons to read the story of Bartimaeus in Mark 10:46-52.

With a series of thoughtful questions, Wendy invited attendees to enter the story with their current circumstances. She asked them to imagine Jesus and the disciples passing by their home, work, or other situation where they, like Bartimaeus, felt confined or bound by a life circumstance. “Spend time with Jesus in prayer,” she urged the group. Jesus is asking what you want him to do for you. Go ahead and tell him, and then in prayer listen and watch to see what happens next.” After the time of prayer and sharing, group members encouraged one another to take the next steps Jesus had revealed in prayer. Many people found this approach to listening to Jesus transformative. Through it they encountered the Holy Spirit who is within and behind the story of Bartimaeus.

– Elaine A. Heath
God Unbound

From pages 50-51 of God Unbound: Wisdom from Galatians for the Anxious Church by Elaine A. Heath. Copyright © 2016 by Elaine A. Heath. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

Try this exercise with a friend. Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it;
for he has founded it on the seas, and established it on the rivers.

Psalm 24:1-2, 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

14 Comments

  • Jill Posted July 11, 2018 4:45 am

    This passage was the first passage my counselor read through with me on our first meeting. Indeed – what do I ask Jesus for boldly?
    I so appreciate your words of concern for my hands and for my mom. Yes, Andrea, for sure for my mom – spiritual healing. And spiritual rest. Really, anything, spiritual and Biblical. My best friend made me an essential oil “roller” for my finger. She has gotten into essential oils this past year and has found them quite effective for her son, and keeping his migraines at bay. She bought me a diffuser in the fall to use at night, to assist me with my sleep issues. Using the roller on my finger, as well as Aleve, tennis proved less painful last night. I am awaiting a return phone call from my rheumatologist.
    Today my sister and I will be with my parents playing bridge. My brother-in-law is out of state playing in a softball tournament, so we are taking advantage of this time. I have an early appointment with my spiritual director and then will be going to my folks.
    Marcy – I am praying for your transportation to be reliable and you will get helpful news at your appointment. Julie – praying you received encouraging news (and treatment?) for you hand yesterday.
    Oh, Father, these momentary afflictions, in light of eternity with You. Carry us on and may Your Son come quickly.

  • Gail Posted July 11, 2018 7:01 am

    Jill, when you introduced the subject of essential oils I expected that you were going to share them with your mom. Maybe that’s not such a bad idea after all. The use of all senses, in this case, touch and smell, might help your mom in some way. My husband has RA (for years) and I hope you feel better.
    There is so much going on. My prayer for all is, let us have HOPE. Blind Bartimaeus did and look what it got him. On Saturday I was talking about the Thai rescue with others and a person reminded me to have HOPE, bacause it’s all we’ve got. His suggestion put me in the right perspective.

  • robert moeller Posted July 11, 2018 7:27 am

    Thankful for the help Jill has for her hand and the more than one way to find relief. Prayers that Julie also had relief for her hand with the bone exposed, but also for the other hand and her foot. A prayer too for the situation she is in and positive results with her new lawyer guided by God’s wisdom. Prayers for Marcy and a successful trip to see the pulmonary doctor today. Thankful for the help of her pastor. Thankful for cooler weather here today. Praying that Mary and her new colleague are strengthened and today’s teaching goes well. Prayers too for Connie and her husband, Andrea, her daughter, grandson, son-in-law, and Lowell. Pray that the water problem at Lou’s house has been resolved, her children and Mom are doing well, and all is well at work.

    After a busy day working on finding help for me, Erich is tired and we’ll make our exploratory trip another day. Being assertive, confrontational in a positive way, has been a challenge for me all my life. Erich thinks and I agree that I need to do something about it. After the meeting with my current counselor, I think I need better help. Will contact a new professional today.

  • Julie Posted July 11, 2018 8:06 am

    Prayers that Jill, Gloria, Larry, and Becky have an enjoyaable day together. Jill, have you ever sought the advice of a hand specialist. The one I see has a physical therapy department and such a plac could give you exercises thaat may relieve pain and stiffness and teach you ways to move so as to avoid pain. I also use an oil diffuser and find it better than scented candles.
    Prayers for Gail and her husband. Prayers his RA pain is not much today.
    Prayers for Robert and his search for a new counselor. Prayers for Erich and his searching. I believe we are all searching for our true purpose and true self. May he get to ne that satisfies him.
    Prayers for Marcy and her appointment today. I pray she is able to get to the doctor and that her pastor is able to support her and that her doctor actively listens to Marcy’s concerns.
    Prayers for Andrea and her family, Lou and her family, Connie and her family, and Mary and her parents. I pray that Mary is less stressed aand over worked at her job.
    My doctor’s appointment transpired as I had thought. I will need surgery.
    Prayers and blessings for and thank you again and again for your prayers and words of encourangment

  • Julie Posted July 11, 2018 8:08 am

    Sorry, encouragement
    Fingers and typing do not mix

  • Connie Posted July 11, 2018 8:23 am

    (from UR Devotional) “Here I raise mine Ebenezer hither by thy help I’m come”. I will be humming this all day. The Upper Room has added so much to my life over many, many years. It is my “Ebenezer”, Stone of Help.
    Blessings to all on this Wonderful Wednesday.

  • Andrea Posted July 11, 2018 9:54 am

    I had to read about Ebenezer to understand Connue’s reference. I have always referred to my husband as my rock, but I know God is the ultimate rock.

    I will re- visit the story of Bartimaeus.

    Robert, my therapist encourages me to let her know if she says or does something that bothers me or makes me want to back away, stressing what an important piece of the therapy process that is, even if one still decides to quit or change to someone new. It has been very hard for me to do that, but I have, and it has been very beneficial, and I encourage you to bring up your thoughts with your counselor.

    Prayers for all UR friends and those for whom you pray. May God’s voice come to us, and may God’s healing touch all who pray to be healed. Special prayers for Jill,Gloria, Marcy and Julie.

    Blessings, all.

    • robert moeller Posted July 11, 2018 1:38 pm

      Thank you, Andrea, I do believe that I have had some help from my therapist,
      I know myself better, but I think I should be doing more than I am, and that is not happening. I have learned more about how therapy works for my problem. I do think I get sometimes side tracked, that’s certainly not my therapist’s fault.

      • Andrea Posted July 11, 2018 7:14 pm

        I am struck by how our situations are similar in some ways. Prayers for you going forward with your counseling and with Erich. It’s not easy for me to speak up for myself either, in fact it’s scary, but therapy is helpful. Prayers for Anneliese’s and Erich’s challenges, too. Blessings.

        • robert moeller Posted July 12, 2018 1:28 am

          Thank you Andrea for sharing. In this life we all have problems, that’s the way it is, but with God I am confident that all will work out. In my life this has been true whether the problems is a big or small one.

          I try to share this with Erich, he has a dimmer view of things.

          We both see an opportunity and will explore it more before making a decision, taking action. Some things need to be done before any action can be taken. Some problems that have been worked on for a while will soon be resolved.
          I see a better future on the horizon. Thank You, Lord.

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted July 11, 2018 6:31 pm

    Thank you all for your prayers. Yes, my new colleague is a blessing. There are lots of other admin work added and meetings to attend but i am glad my colleague will be able to help me. Last night, when i reached home, i was exhausted but happy cause quite a few tasks have been accomplished.

    Praying for Robert to make good progress with his therapist and Marcy that her health will improve.

    May all be well and walking closely with God!

    Blessingd!

    • Andrea Posted July 11, 2018 7:17 pm

      Yay, Mary, so glad to hear you have a good colleague at work, someone who is a blessing – just like you are a blessing! Continued prayers for you, your colleague, your students, your work, and your mom and dad. Blessings.

    • robert moeller Posted July 12, 2018 1:34 am

      Glad for the benefit of a helpful colleague, thankful for your prayers for Anneliese, Erich, and me. Progress is being made, sometimes two steps forward and one step back, but continued progress.

      Yes, prayers for you, your parents, family, school, and students. We all press on toward the goal our Savior achieved for us.

      God’s peace to you.

      • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted July 12, 2018 6:28 am

        Thank you dear Andrea and Robert!

        I am indeed so blessed to meet both of you here at the UR!

        Praise God for Andrea, Robert, all UR friends and the UR ministry!

        Blessings!

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