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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

A FRIEND CONCLUDED HIS HOLY WEEK SERMON by citing the last line of “O Sacred Head Now Wounded”:
“Lord, let me never, never outlive my love to thee.”
He confessed that the phrase had haunted him his entire “conscious spiritual life,” wondering what the hymn writer might have meant, exactly, by that phrase. Was he thinking about death, praying that God would not let him live so long as to grow cold in his religious affections? Or was he acknowledging his place in that third shadow, in that third crowd where most of us find ourselves —so busy with life and its stuff that we are in danger of “outliving” our love to Jesus?

– Thomas R. Steagald
Shadows, Darkness, and Dawn

From page 133 of Shadows, Darkness, and Dawn: A Lenten Journey with Jesus by Thomas R. Steagald. Copyright ©2010 by Thomas R. Steagald. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

How do you interpreted the quoted phrase from the hymn? How does the phrase challenge you? Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, “Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.”

John 13:21, NRSV

This Week: Pray for those affected by gun violence. 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: Sister Thea Bowman (March 30).

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

Sponsored by Upper Room Ministries ®. Copyright © 2018 | PO Box 340004 | Nashville, TN 37203-0004 | USA

9 Comments

  • Jill Posted March 28, 2018 3:00 am

    It is interesting to think about that phrase. Could it be the author was worried that we would, at some point, take Christ and salvation for granted…growing cold and unaware of His Presence?
    Grateful for little blessings (little everyday miracles?) God bestows on me throughout the day, from many different angles. They uplift my soul, cause me to reflect in gratitude. Grateful for good, extended rest last night. Grateful for a break in the rain yesterday after dinner – was able to take a walk.

  • robert moeller Posted March 28, 2018 6:56 am

    I understand the author of that verse to mean being afraid that life would be longer than love for God. At this point in my life I believe I can only be alive because of the love of God.

    Tomorrow begins the toughest days for Jesus and for everyone who takes up his/her cross and follows Him. Jesus’ celebration of Passover, God’s rescue of the Israelites becomes Communion, Jesus’ sacrifice for the whole world’s redemption. Thank You, Lord!

    Thankful for the life God has given me, for family and friends, this oasis called the Upper Room, and all of you. Blessings to all of you, prayers for your well being, faith, and life. Very soon we remember, relive the death and resurrection of our Lord.

  • Julie Posted March 28, 2018 7:57 am

    At first I thought it referred to the length of life, but Iike the second interpretation given in the reflection. For many people today, it is easy to become caught up in the day to day of life and forget to pause in the busyness and remember who givs us the life we are living.
    Your words, Robert, as always, are so very moving. Thank you, I am humbled by you and by what you describe. I am not worthy of His supreme sacrifice.
    Blessings and prayers for and thanks to my UR family
    We must dare, dare again, and go on daring!
    Georges Jacques Danton

  • Connie Posted March 28, 2018 9:01 am

    I just want to take my last breath with my faith and love of God strong. I believe, by the Grace of God, that will be.
    Onward Christian Soldiers to the Last Supper.

  • Andrea Posted March 28, 2018 4:18 pm

    Please pray for my friend Jane. She was diagnosed with late stage ovarian cancer several years ago, right after her husband died very unexpectedly. She was treated into remission. She learned a few weeks ago the cancer has returned in several organs. I will take her to her chemotherapy tomorrow.

    I ponder the interpretations given here of the hymn’s words, and this interpretation came to me: May my faculties be strong my entire life so that my love of God also remains strong.

    I have hurt my husband with harsh words today and pray for his forgiveness and my self-improvement.

    Prayers and blessings.

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted March 28, 2018 5:56 pm

    I think the phrase simply means loving Jesus should be intentional reflected by our actions.

    May we do all things with love!

    Blessings

    Praying for Andrea’s friend, Jane, and commiting the chemo session tomorrow into God’s hands. May God’s presence be specially close to her during this very difficult time.

    • Andrea Posted March 28, 2018 6:06 pm

      Thank you, Mary. Blessings

  • Kris Posted March 28, 2018 8:37 pm

    I have considered this quote all day. I have experienced the deaths of my immediate family members and most importantly, my husband. I have kept vigil with several of them. At death many people are confused , lonely, afraid. It would seem that leaving this world is as tumultuous as when we enter. Thinking of all of what could happen to our thought processes as we age…. it could be easy to outlive our love for Jesus.

  • KB Posted March 29, 2018 3:11 am

    Loaded phrase for sure…Two thoughts came to me–First that we are prone to take things for granted when life is going well for us and those we love, which breeds indifference and allows other idols to slip into our life depriving us of daily devotion. Second that we can feel overwhelmed by the tragedy, personal loss, and deception in the world–violence, deceit by leaders,… Now Jane’s comment has raised another issue that is out of our control. Certainly we all stray and have moments that we do not feel the Spirit, but my prayers that daily we all growth in faith on our faith journeys.

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