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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

Over the next twelve months a breast was cut off, my hair fell out, and my eyebrows vanished. But as my body grew fragile from treatments, my inner life flourished. Cancer waltzed into our lives like an unwanted dance partner, but it didn’t get to choose the music. Through texts, Facebook posts, emails, cards, and responses to my newspaper column, hundreds of friends walked alongside Jim and me on this unexpected journey.

I’ll be praying for you, dear lady.
You’re on my heart!
I stand with you.
God will be your guide and strength.

From the start, I was never alone. If I ever doubted the value of family, friends, and my faith community, I never will again. A beginning, not an end.

—Jan Woodard, Texting Through Cancer: Ordinary Moments of Community, Love, and Healing (Upper Room Books, 2021)

Today’s Question

What helps you remember that you are never alone? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Do not fear, for I am with you,
do not be afraid, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.

—Isaiah 41:10 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

God of All,
In you I trust.
All will be well.
All will be well.
All will be well. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

Meet some of The Upper Room’s International Publishing Partners at a free online event on Thursday, May 4, 8:30 a.m. (CT). You’ll meet Tarmo Lilleoja from Estonia, Manasi Mohanty (Odia edition) from India, Juan Gattinoni from Argentina, and Makgoshi Sindane from South Africa and learn more about their ministries. The good work they are doing for the Gospel will inspire you and strengthen your faith, and your support and prayers will be an encouragement to their ministry. Register here.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

6 Comments

  • Gail Posted April 17, 2023 7:11 am

    Bible verses like the ones from Isaiah. The habit of scripture reading is a first step, or better yet, memorizing Bible verses. It’s necessary to share one’s problems in order to get the support the author outlines. So a person has to take this first step in some cases. Our church served at Trinity Table yesterday. Being in such an environment helps me to remember that God is with me.

  • Julie Posted April 17, 2023 9:32 am

    Reading the Bible. Reaching out to others.
    Yesterday, church was lovely. Several of us are going to start a caregiver’s group and we discussed how to start it. Afterward, I stopped to walk with the friend, Rosalee, that I reconnected with. We walked in my old neighborhood and she filled me in on all the neighbors. We will walk again in 2 weeks. I took her a loaf of applesauce bread I baked and she was so excited that I told her I will bake something else for her next time. I then went shopping and went to a store where several people who are vey nice and have assisted me with makeup purchases were working and we chatted. It was a very nice day.

  • Ally Posted April 17, 2023 10:54 am

    I feel very alone sometimes. Then God leads me to a passage like Isaiah 41, which reminds me so am not alone. Often, that is when someone will text or call and that connection helps me feel connected. My dear pets remind me of this as well. I have David and he can be a good companion. But I often feel alone as a caregiver, and in dealing with my own health issues. The losses this year have compounded this: a dear friend from college, my friend who was my mentor and teacher, my 2 kitties. I often feel alone on trying to solve our problems of finances. I thank Hod for a couple from church who are helping us work out a budget to easy our worries.
    Please pray for my dear friend, Mary Nelle, who is in the hospital. Pray that I can feel motivated and excited about working my business and the opportunities it can bring to make our lives better.

    • Ally Posted April 17, 2023 10:56 am

      Sorry for the typos. Thanks to my NEM for being here. Bless you all.

    • Lou Posted April 17, 2023 3:00 pm

      You are truly not alone – God never leaves your side and your friends here send you hugs from afar

    • Rick Posted April 17, 2023 3:07 pm

      Greetings all,
      Scripture, prayer and meditation, along with Daily devotionals. Being active in my faith community along with worship. Scott and I have been trying to get out as much as possible to see all the amazing wild flowers It has been beautiful the last few weeks in Southern California. The abundance of rain has bright spectacular wild flowers in the mountains, deserts and coastal areas.

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