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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

Sanctimonious ramblings make prayer a joyless discipline. Such prayer loses sight of God’s grace working for good in our lives and the lives of those around us. Paul enters prayer by focusing on who we are in Christ Jesus. Beginning prayer like Paul turns it into a joyful discovery of what God is doing in our midst. Prayer becomes a joyful thanksgiving for how God works in the world.

—Max O. Vincent, Because of This I Rejoice: Reading Philippians During Lent (Upper Room Books, 2018)

Today’s Question

What helps you express joyful thanksgiving to God in prayer? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.
—Philippians 1:3-6 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

God, I give thanks for all you have done, are doing, and will do. Because of this, I rejoice.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

What is Lent? When is Lent? Why do we set it apart? Learn more about this special season from The Upper Room’s Lent 101 resource.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

3 Comments

  • Lou Posted February 18, 2021 5:21 am

    I pray joyfully and thankfully to the Lord when I focus on his goodness and mercy and all of the many blessings as well as trials in my life that turn me more to Him. More of you Lord – less of me is my breath prayer that I pray today. Too many worries consume me and I need to let go and trust and release them to God.
    I am thankful for the prayers offered here. I pray for all who come to this place as we have entered the season of Lent. I pray to keep myself centered on the only thing that truly matters – that God so loved the world that He gave His only son for you and for me. Thanks be to God. Bless you all on this day.
    My town got 18 inches of snow on top of a foot already on the ground and we were literally snowed in- it is snowing again as I write this- I am weary from the stress of the pandemic/ weather/ work/ house maintenance – but I am grateful that I have shelter and a job and that my children and mother are all healthy and doing well. Very thankful for the prayers offered here on my behalf. I continue to pray for you all.
    God’s peace.

  • Julie Posted February 18, 2021 8:38 am

    I joyfully thank God for hismany blessings, his creation and its beauty and that he has seen me through many tragedies throughout my life. He has saved my life when several times I was near death, I trust that He saved me for reason unknown to any but Him.
    Prayers for Lou, I join her joyful prayer that she, her children and mother all safe.
    Prayers for Ally and David, that the weather that has hit thm has not left them without power. I pray that David’s pain has been alleviated and that the doctor’s have diagnose his immediate issue from the fall as well as his ongoing unsteadiness. I pray that the weather does not impede Ally’s ability to visit David and that she remain safe and well. I pray for Rachel’s continued healing.
    Prayers for April and her family who are also in the storm, may they be safe, warm, and have electricity.
    Prayers for Jill and Larry, that they remain safe from the storm as we in this area have not had the same extreme weather as the rest of the country. Prayers for Jill’s students and their mixed reactions to the cancelling of the yearly exams. May all stay engaged and enthusiastic.
    Prayers for Marcy and Lucy, may they be safe and warm as they live near Lou and so have had much snow and cold.
    Prayers for Robert, may he be safe and well as we have not heard from him in several days.
    As stated above the snow and cold in this area are not as extreme as in the rest of the country. This fact along with this areas experience of routinely dealing with such conditions means we have not lost power or the ability to drive about. Prayers for all affected and for families of those who have died. May God hold them all in his love and care.

  • Jill Posted February 18, 2021 10:12 am

    My joy bubbles up from my peace. Recognition of my peace and the extent of it can still catch me afresh and I wander at it, at My Awesome Father God. I think maybe it seems excessive (not the right word…but can’t find the right word) – because it was so lacking in my mom. And, even my dad seems to marvel when I try to express it to him. Why, Father God – have You graced me so? I used to say, why did it take so long…but now it is – why so much? GRATEFUL.
    Was able to attend my god-daughter’s tournament basketball game last night. It was a rout, but it was good to be there nonetheless. They play again Saturday, in probably an equally lopsided game. I will be optimistic that my friend will be able to get me a ticket.

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