Words of Hope During COVID-19
Susan Carol Scott, author of Still Praying After All These Years, talks about two ways she has connected with God during COVID-19. One way is to carry a seashell, and the other is to pray a breath prayer. Scott teaches us a breath prayer she often uses.
Today’s Reflection
I am functioning well in my outer life, but in the secret recesses of my being, I feel messy and sad. I yearn for healing to penetrate the depths of my being. I hold the hope that the risen Lord will guide me out of the shadows while also sensing a need to stay inside the transforming cocoon for a while longer. The time required to emerge from deep grief will be different for each of us. God understands and will stay beside us…as we journey through our time of mourning.
—Nell E. Noonan, A Widow’s Prayer: Finding God’s Grace in the Days Ahead (Upper Room Books, 2015)
Today’s Question
In times of mourning, what assurance do you need from God? Join the conversation.
Today’s Scripture
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
—Matthew 5:4 (NRSV)
Prayer for the Week
God, help me listen to—and learn from—what you are teaching my heart today.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
Interested in online learning options based on your favorite Upper Room books? Check out The Upper Room eLearning.
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
4 Comments
From Psalm 27 – “I know that I will see the goodness of the Lord, in the land of the living.” My friend (who just lost her sister-in-law) shared this verse was a strong, sure comfort to her in the last days of her mom’s life and following her passing. As she shared this with me over the phone, from across the country – she knew my mom had just gone into hospice care at home. I now think of this verse afresh in light of her current grief. She and her husband are coming home by train, from Montana, and will arrive Saturday. So much for this family. Her brother, who just lost his wife, had a heart attack four weeks ago. It’s just so much.
Thank you for your prayers for this family.
Yesterday when I got finished with “class” – I met dad at a local garden store and we bought some flowers. Mom always bought her flowers from this store – so dad and I returned their last year and again this year. I believe it gives him comfort to do things in the same way. Often on mornings when I call over there – he will tell me the chores he is working on – sticking to the schedule mom had created. Washing towels on Monday mornings, sheets on Tuesday, etc.
Beautiful, warm sunshine yesterday. I was able to take a walk last evening as well as mow my lawn and work in the yard. I bought some flowers and will begin to work in my flower beds. I still have many to purchase, but will plant these first before getting more. I so look forward to this relaxing activity that I enjoy so much, thanks to my mom.
Ally – rejoicing with you and the events of today, as you bring David home. Will be praying for patience and grace for the both of you as you interact…you the assister and David the assistee.
I need God to assure me that I will be reunited with my loved one in His house. This is what I cling to as I mourn.
Prayers for Jill and Larry, for his comfort in staying true to Gloria’s rhythm and Jll’s comfort and joy in sharing a beloved pastime of Gloria’s. Prayers for Jill’s friend’s family, so much loss and pain in such a short span. God be with them.
Prayers for Ally and David, may the long awaited reunion go well and may they find joy in just being together and save the worries and concerns for the future.
Prayers for Robert and his continued physical isolation while continuing to socialize via technology.
Prayers for Lou and her family as they continue to be isolated, may they stay connected in nother ways.
Yesterday went much better. I believe God told me to just stop. I ceased verbal communication with h and it worked well and my stress level reduced significantly. It is raing today so no roofers today. Welcome to Pittsburgh weather.
Prayers, thanks and may all be healthy and safe dear UR
Hello Upper Room Reflections family and friends! Now known as New Every Morning! Yes and it is good. When the walker with wheels (Rollator) arrives, I will be able to begin a long road to recovery. My breathing is still compromised, so breath prayers don’t work for me as I can’t perform them. Just keeping motionless, eyes closed and repeating Be…Still…Know…God… is still very calming. My Aunt, the last of the greatest generation, passed away from Covid-19 when we didn’t know what it was, a few months ago. She will be remembered as the one who led me back to the Lord in 2004. Becoming mindfully prayful, slowlyn inching my way back to life again after losing my father. Her son, who is not a believer, won’t do a memorial for her. But his wonderful wife is having people write about my Aunts 95 years, which will be gathered into a book e will receieve. My Aunt was a nurse in the Navy during WWll and a surgical nurse for 40 more years before retiring. She would have turned 96 on Easter Sunday. Needless to say, I’ve been nowhere since the end of February and have accepted quarantine as a way of life for a year and a half or do. I am having essential medical treatment and have to go get the car tested for license plates, but I am thankful God has provided a helper and a plan. People who refuse to wear face coverinngs are problematic for me, as I am extremely vulnerable. I would sure enjoy getting the sun maybe in a park, but when we have tried to look, no face coverings, no physical distancing. I wear double paper surgical masks. I on’t go into all that has transpired; it serves no purpose. Seeing , reading, typing more difficult, surgical procedure possible, but not now, so please forgive typos or less than coherent sentences! Lol!
I have been thinking of you all, the regulars that I know and will catch up as i can. Julie, you speak of grief. If you have lost someone close to you, please accept my condolences. As I always say, I never “spoke” a word on the web until I had been reading your comments for six months maybe four years ago now? In any case you are always in my prayers and on my heart, Julie God bless you! * Jill I am reading of your time with your Dad recently and the two of you do one another well in your shared memories of your mother. Mine passed in 1993 and Mother’s Days, when I look through the pictures or attempt to play piano, I feel her close to me. Like your flower planting does for you. Blessings dear Jill. * Robert I am sorry Erich is unemployed as so many are and hopefully, God will reach him one day if he lets God in. Meanwhile, you are an excellent father and guide him so well. It is good you are getting another vehicle. That’s a lot of miles. I hope to keep my Dad’s 2002 on the road a bit longer . God bless you and keep you well. *
I hopw to do better tomorrow or Saturday when I’ll see you again UR reflections fam. Again, please forgive any mistakes, I am determined to keep trying!
God bless all who visit, regularly, occasionally or from the balcony, and may He keep you all safe and well!
And these three remain: Faith, Hope and Love, and the greatest of these is LOVE! Blessings to all!
Pray ing for you and praising our Father in heaven, His Son, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit!
🙏🙏❤❤🌍💙🌎💚🌎💙⛪ 🐱🐈
Life is full of surprises! What a grand surprise to read a post from Marcy! Thank You, Lord! It’s so great to learn how you are doing and despite challenges are making progress. Continued prayers for you, Julie, Mary, Lou, Jill and the entire New Every Morning family. Prayers reach out to family, community, friends, the nation and the world. Have had three days of walking in a row, Korean food for supper yesterday, many Korean movies and dramas, PBS Masterpiece Theatre, and Apple TV. Thankful for God’s wisdom to know who to listen to in this pandemic and thankful for resources that enable life. God is good, many people don’t recognize that with this pandemic, but I will witness to it.
Almost 23 years ago when I mourned the biggest loss of my life, Turning to God was the action I took and the assurances from God were profound and immediate. “Put God first and all these things will be given unto you God was with me again when my Dad and later my Mom passed away. “Does sad memory remain, of course! Can I move on, keep going, feel and be recovered, absolutely! God can and does make a difference, a lot of what God does is far beyond my understanding. Thank You, Lord!
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