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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

Racism can be hard to pin down when our actions are not motivated by overt racist beliefs or when the impact of our actions does not align with our intentions. As Christians, we have a responsibility to consider the following concepts: implicit bias (individual actions can unconsciously and unintentionally reflect and foster racism), systemic racism (attitudes toward different racial groups affects the structure of our society), and historic racism (confronting racism today requires us to make amends for the past). In this brave space, I encourage you to consider how the impact of your actions might not always align with your intentions.

—Elizabeth Hagan, Brave Church: Tackling Tough Topics Together (Upper Room Books, 2021)

Today’s Question

When have you realized that your intentions and their impact were not in alignment? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
—John 15:12 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Lord, grant me the patience and grace to listen, the courage and wisdom to question and speak, and the bravery to create safe space for tough topics.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

The Upper Room is committed to a ministry that is increasingly global, antiracist, and ecumenical. This is the work of discipleship and spiritual formation.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

2 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted June 11, 2021 6:01 am

    The worst of it comes when you unconsciously do things that go agains intentions that are on the right path A word meant in one way but construed in another way can be just the start of the error.
    I found it very challenging to be a white teacher in a school that was 85% black and 15% hispanic.
    There were many TRY AGAIN days
    I’m having very different TRY AGAIN moments with the stripe painting on a model and photography of a model and more importantly with my son. Thankfully progress with him is going better. Soon I hope medical help will take care of a lipoma on his back.
    Cooler, cloudy weather here today puts a damper on photography, but helps the electric bill.
    Prayers for continued progress with health, legal, safety, financial, travel, and job concerns shared by the NEM community of faith. Blessings and God’s peace to you. Thank You, Lord.

  • Julie Posted June 11, 2021 8:35 am

    Well, as I said yesterday our new pastor is African American and when I was there several members informed me with horror in their words and acknowledging they were reserving judgement but didn’t expect it to be a good fit. I conveyed my dismay at their attitude and stated my assurance that he would do a wonderful job leading the church. They shook their heads and walked away. So even when we speak out our words and efforts can be turned aside.
    Prayers for Robert and Erich, may their progress continue. Prayers for Ally and David’s health and job search. Prayers for Jill and Larry and Lou and her children as they travel and spend time together. May all live in harmony together. Prayers for Mary’s health and finances.
    H relieved himself completely in front of the toilet in the powder room. Normally I would have cleaned up the mess but this time I found him and told him he had to clean his mess. He tried to say he had to leave and I stood my ground. That was two and half hours ago and h is still here. Yes he lies to me not just our lawyers.
    Thank you for your prayers for me and my loved ones. May all be blessed today.

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