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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

If we let revenge consume us, we will miss the songs of red-winged blackbirds, the colors of sunsets, and the laughter of friends. An ancient adage maintains that a life well lived is the best revenge. While attempting to strike back at another person proves futile, we have the power to create beauty and happiness for our families and ourselves. We cannot control another person’s actions, but we can influence our own. Movement toward goodness balances the scale in a way that revenge never can.

—Kathleen Fischer, in Anger: Minding Your Passion, compiled and introduced by Amy Lyles Wilson (Fresh Air Books, 2010)

Today’s Question

What areas of your life could benefit from intentional “movement toward goodness” instead of revenge? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all.
—Romans 12:17 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Lord,
Search me and know me. Shine a light on my innermost thoughts and feelings, even those I try to hide deep within. Give me courage to name the sources of my joy and my anger. Give me strength and wisdom to learn from them. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

Registration is now open for RESILIENCE: Healing Practices for Mind, Body, and Spirit. Join us on September 30–October 2, 2021, as we explore a fresh array of spiritual practices to help with healing from trauma. Learn more.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

4 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted September 12, 2021 6:00 am

    I don’t see myself as a revenge oriented person. I’m having a hard time trying to remember taking revenge. Most likely I did it when I was young. I have, we all have, been wronged, but I just don’t have the gumption, the umph to retaliate. Reading the book of Proverbs now and there are many verses that address anger, revenge, retaliation. I understand revenge to be God’s responsibility. Where does that put us, America, on the day after 9-11, the day after 12-7, Pearl Harbor day? As a country we have certainly taken revenge.
    Zoom worship today, communion is now available every Sunday. Blessings to you all, great women’s tennis yesterday, exciting college football even if your team didn’t win, the subway series tied in NYC, and at least one of my teams won a baseball game elsewhere. Prayers for you and thanks for your prayers, Have a blessed Sunday. Thank You, Lord.

  • Jill Posted September 12, 2021 2:26 pm

    I don’t see myself as a vengeful person. As I was reading this, my thoughts went to the topic of today’s cancer support group lesson…”Satisfied”. There were 4 thought provoking questions and participation was strong. It was so good to be back in person and there were 4 new couples there to join us. There were 8 people/couples who “zoomed in”. From satisfied – to content – and to acceptance – this is the path God would have us take…actually in reverse order. One of the new couples – the diagnosis had been 18 months ago. For two of the others – 5 months. For one, and the youngest – 1 month ago – and she admitted she and her husband were still in the “shock” stage. God asks us to accept what He has permitted in our lives. We can be angry and remain without peace, as my mother did. Or we can turn to Him, seek His comfort. Yes, we plead for healing, but our louder cry should be to use the situation for His glory. Being content and satisfied with His accompanying – through the shadow of the valley of death – and learning to trust His providence and sovereignty. For a few moments my heart grieved anew that this couldn’t be my mother’s route. One of the newcomer’s even spoke up about how important it is for the person with cancer to be satisfied with God – to portray that to his loved ones. How I longed for this – and wish dad had been able to experience it. The lady I was sitting next to – 8 year survivor of breast cancer spoke of how she and her husband prayed together, submitting to God’s will. Yes, I desperately wanted this to be for the four of us.
    Warm today, but I am planted inside with football on and much schoolwork to hold my attention. Tomorrow night is open house – will be a long day and a rough start to the week. Wednesday there is a 2 hour meeting after school. So, needless to say, my attitude regarding this week needs a pick-me-up.
    Happy to say Roger’s stomach seems to be settled. It has been 10 days since he has been sick. Really hoping to continue closely monitor his diet and have him be his normal Roger self.

  • Ally Posted September 12, 2021 3:00 pm

    There are events I feel I have moved on from, but still about sometimes. Perhaps one hasn’t truly moved forward unless one can look back without resentment. I have real trouble with resentment toward David’s ex because of the pain she caused him, how she continues to harass us with attempts to get money out of us when her husband makes 350k a year, and she continues to try to poison David’s relationship with his children. Please pray for this situation and for me to move away from resentment toward her.
    David is getting stronger physically and helped me with housecleaning this week. He attended his first Georgia football game with his friends yesterday, first one since before pandemic. He is tired, but had a wonderful time. He has a Dr. Appointment next week and promised he would discuss his depression with the Dr. and do what he recommends. I have filled out my disability application with my attorney Friday. Please continue to pray for this process. I hold this group close to my heart in prayer. Thank you for your wisdom.
    20 years later I remember those who died on 9/11 and the heroes who saved lives and often Gabe their own. I pray we can forgive, let go of hate and anger, and engage in love and actions which make our world better. Be blessed, everyone.

  • Ally Posted September 12, 2021 3:01 pm

    There are events I feel I have moved on from, but still think about sometimes. Perhaps one hasn’t truly moved forward unless one can look back without resentment. I have real trouble with resentment toward David’s ex because of the pain she caused him, how she continues to harass us with attempts to get money out of us when her husband makes 350k a year, and she continues to try to poison David’s relationship with his children. Please pray for this situation and for me to move away from resentment toward her.
    David is getting stronger physically and helped me with housecleaning this week. He attended his first Georgia football game with his friends yesterday, first one since before pandemic. He is tired, but had a wonderful time. He has a Dr. Appointment next week and promised he would discuss his depression with the Dr. and do what he recommends. I have filled out my disability application with my attorney Friday. Please continue to pray for this process. I hold this group close to my heart in prayer. Thank you for your wisdom.
    20 years later I remember those who died on 9/11 and the heroes who saved lives and often Gabe their own. I pray we can forgive, let go of hate and anger, and engage in love and actions which make our world better. Be blessed, everyone.

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