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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

LOVE IS OUR LORD’S MEANING, I saw most surely in this and in all that our God made that God loved us, and this love never was satisfied and never will be. All God’s works have been done in this love, and in this love God has made everything that is for our benefit, and in this love our life is everlasting. In our creation, we had a beginning, but the love in which God made us was in God without beginning. In this love we have our beginning. All this we will see in God without end.

Encounter with God’s Love

From page 66 of Encounter with God’s Love: Selected Writings of Julian of Norwich, edited by Keith Beasley-Topliffe. Copyright © 1998 by Upper Room Books. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

What do you think of when you think of God’s love? Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.

Mark 8:35, NRSV

This Week: Pray for victims of 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: Jacinta Marto, Francisco Marto, and Lucia dos Santos (February 20).

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

17 Comments

  • Jill Posted February 24, 2018 3:45 am

    God’s Love sustains me. It has sustained my family always and have known it deeply these past few days. It has shone through via support – God’s hands and feet here on earth, in the hospital, through my parent’s care pastor, via so many pray-ers lifting countless prayers heavenward, including my precious UR family here. My family is very grateful.
    Mom’s surgery continued to be delayed throughout the day, but she finally went in around 4:30 yesterday afternoon. Surgery went very well, finished up early, and the doctor was very encouraged. We will await the pathology report on Wednesday. Mom and dad will meet with the oncologist on Monday, but will not decide on a treatment plan until the pathology report comes. The soonest she will be released from the hospital is Monday. The goal today will be to get her sitting up in a chair.

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted February 24, 2018 4:18 am

    Jill, keeping you, your oarents and sister in prayer.

    May all be well

    Blessings

    May God’s love surround us and may His live inspire us to love nore!

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted February 24, 2018 4:32 am

    May His love inspire us to love more!

  • robert moeller Posted February 24, 2018 7:12 am

    Very thankful Jill’s Mom’s surgery went well, the doctor was encouraged. Hoping for good news on Wednesday, and that she can sit up today.

    Love, God’s love, is, like God, felt but not seen. We know of it in the same way we know of the wind, the warmth of the sun. Its effect is recognizable, but it itself I can not identify. God empowers others to love us and through them we gain some idea of what it is, what it can and will do. It’s given and received, a blessing from God who is love.

    Jill describes it her life. Very thankful she and her family are receiving it as love sustains, nourishes, empowers, and gives life to the soul.

    Prayers for healing, pain relief, resolutions to the gun violence problem, safety in schools and at railroad crossings, decisions about what to do regarding a difficult job, travel both near and far, and care for a terminally ill pet. Thank you UR family for your thoughts, sharing, and prayers. God works through you. Thank You, Lord.

  • Julie Posted February 24, 2018 7:42 am

    I have trouble with the concept of love. I can and do give it, but have not received much. My grandparents were the only ones to show me unconditional love. Since they have both passed, my life has been barren of such love. My mother is “loving” and my daughter is similar.
    Jill, continued prayers as you await the results. How difficult to wait for such life altering news. God be with you all.
    Mary, I pray God directs your decision regarding your job
    Robert, continued prayers for Isis and you and Erich.
    Prayers for all of the UR members and their concerns expressed on this site. Thank you for your continued prayers for my concerns shared.
    Blessings friends
    Keep a green tree in your heart and a singing bird may come.
    Chinese proverb

    • Connie Posted February 24, 2018 8:58 am

      Oh Julie, I like that quote. Lately the tree in my heart is like Charlie Brown’s!

      • Julie Posted February 24, 2018 9:11 am

        Amen to that

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted February 25, 2018 1:47 am

      Thanks Julie and Marcy!

      Welcome back Marcy! So glad to hear from you again.

      Blessings

  • Connie Posted February 24, 2018 9:14 am

    So glad to hear Jill’s Mom’s surgery went well. Hope the treatment plan is a gentle one and her recovery is 100%.
    Glad to hear from Rusty that all is going well. Dealing with any health issue is a full-time job, that’s for sure. You and K inspire us.
    Mary, thinking of you and you parents and your job stresses.
    When I think of God’s love I also think of His Mercy and Grace that He showers on His children. Showers of Blessings.

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted February 25, 2018 2:13 am

      Thanks Connie and Lou!

  • Lou Posted February 24, 2018 10:29 am

    Prayers that all of the UR faithful feel God’s love today- God is love. Thankful for another day- I pray that I can shine God’s love on others today- Lord make me an instrument of your peace.

  • Marcy Posted February 24, 2018 7:55 pm

    Hello my wonderful, loving, UR siblings, friends and family! I’ve missed you all really bad. This is my first home, where I found those of whom I now feel so close. I’ve been without data, thus internet, since February 5th and just got reinstated today. Not up to me, I have to get my own plan. I’ve still been unable to get out. I’ve been trying to catch up just this week and take some notes….I’m exhausted. I’ll follow up tomorrow when I hope to be better rested.

    Jill, I am praying for you, your Dad and your Mom. And the news of your friend, Lisa’s daughter. Robert, I’m praying for Annaliese as she had heart testing, saw the rheumatologist and deals with the Lyme’s Disease. And I’m praying about Erich’s back and knee problems that cause him pain. Oh and Isis, this also pains me no end, such a deep hurt. She is in my prayers, too. I am happy about your counseling, I’m missing mine! Would love to hear more about the model trains, but you know this! Mary, this situation with school is untenable. This isn’t healthy and I know you have your parents to take care of. Glad your Dad is home. Maybe you could start looking for other employment, though I don’t know when you’d find the time! I’m praying for you, sweet sister! Julie, I’m so sorry this painful condition has reached your toes too! I pray for relief from this pain and warm weather that can’t come fast enough! I ache for you, dear friend. Andrea, I pray you are more energized with your quilting friends in California. I’m so happy for you that you’re seeing your daughter and grandson and enjoying your time together. I’m praying for Lowell to get well real soon. Lou and Connie, talk about Charlie Brown’s tree, I’ve been so gloomy, I can’t tell if there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Loneliness is not for me! Praying for you both!

    I know I wrote more notes but can’t think where I put it. Now that I’m back among my precious (I mean it! Precious) family here in the UR, I hope to regain my footing. I prayed for each and every one of you, missed “meeting” Rusty and K. Praying for Chloe and Paige, Betsy and Grace, Carol and Robin, Louise, Edy, Francesca, April, Gerri, Jean, Cherie, Joan, Pam, Ami, Eileen, Dorothy, Holly M., Laurie, Tori, Jan, Tim Wells, Paul Tagliamonte, Sally Friedly, Stephen Walket, Shirley Jagelski and all who visit here posting or silent. The Lord knows your needs.

    Praying wholeheartedly and most fervently for victims of gun violence. Father, please, please deal with the powerful forces keeping us from protecting our children and give those in positions of power and our leaders wisdom. IJN. Amen.

    And these three remain: Faith, Hope and Love, and the greatest of these is LOVE!!!

  • Marcy Posted February 24, 2018 7:57 pm

    See how tired I am? Thank you all so very much for caring about me. I definitely needed and continue to be in need of prayers. Thank you for your prayers! Love you all!

    • robert moeller Posted February 25, 2018 2:38 am

      Thank You, Lord! Marcy is back! Delighted to read your post. Our prayers are answered to hear from you. Thank you for your prayers for all of us. Your are very thorough.

      Hope your health, care, and situation is improving. God most certainly knows your needs and you are in our prayers.

      I’m doing well, have been to Lenten lunch-lesson, classes on race, done a questionnaire to learn more about me, worked on my model, gone for walks or to the gym, helped Erich with Isis and baking banana bread.

      Anneliese has had tests at the cardiologist, has a heart monitor implanted, seen her rheumatologist, and my understanding is that treatment is underway. She’s hoping to go to church today.

      Isis had a different day yesterday, not sure at first what the problem was, but think we have figured it out, will see how she’s doing this morning. Contacted the vet on Friday and are to call again on Monday. In general she has done very well this far, only her breathing seemed to be an issue. She eats, sleeps, plays, wanders around, purrs when petted, and seeks Erich’s company.

      The model has its underbody built, car sides and ends installed, two reinforcing partitions in place and the roof mostly built. I’m in the process of fitting the roof to the car body. Three rain gutters and two grab irons are left to install. The question of what color to paint the body has been answered – Pullman green. I have paint I will use.

      Church today, I missed last Sunday as I thought I was coming down with a cold and didn’t want to share that.

      Take good care, it is wonderful to hear from you, many blessings,

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted February 25, 2018 2:51 am

      May God strenghten you and meet all your needs.

      May all be well with you, Marcy!

      Blessings

    • Francesca Posted February 25, 2018 7:55 am

      Welcome back Marcy! Have been & will continue to pray for you.

      • Connie Posted February 25, 2018 8:36 am

        Hi Marcy. So glad to “see” you.

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