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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

Compassion is genuine loving regard that flows freely from the heart. Its path transforms perfectionist self-hatred into authentic, empathic self-compassion. It rekindles the care we truly feel for our loved ones and fosters a relationship in which we all feel heard. . . . The path of compassion emboldens personhood. It restores our capacities to love others and ourselves with equal measure. It leads us back to our humanity.

—Frank Rogers Jr., Practicing Compassion (Upper Room Books, 2015)

Today's Question

How has your life been transformed by compassion? Join the conversation.

Today's Scripture

As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.
—Colossians 3:12 (NRSVUE)

Prayer for the Week

Open my eyes, O God, so I may see who around me needs compassion. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

Lectionary Readings

  • Amos 8:1-12
  • Psalm 52
  • Colossians 1:15-28
  • Luke 10:38-42

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

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

4 Comments | Join the Conversation.

 

Today's Reflection

The path of compassion offers an antidote to the self-hatred that consumes us. It invites us into a relationship with ourselves that truly knows ourselves as beloved; that holds our own shadows, shames, and internal furies with empathic understanding and healing love; and that restores us to the core of care that is the essence of who we are. Out of the abundance of such self-compassion we are able to have genuine compassion for others—indeed, to love our neighbors with the very same love with which we love ourselves.

—Frank Rogers Jr., Practicing Compassion (Upper Room Books, 2015)

Today's Question

When have you noticed a connection between your compassion for yourself and your compassion for others? Join the conversation.

Today's Scripture

In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another.
—1 John 4:10-11 (NRSVUE)

Prayer for the Week

Open my eyes, O God, so I may see who around me needs compassion. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

Lectionary Readings

  • Amos 8:1-12
  • Psalm 52
  • Colossians 1:15-28
  • Luke 10:38-42

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

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

3 Comments | Join the Conversation.

 

Today's Reflection

Pausing from the busyness of our lives and recognizing the tender humanity of another restores us to our own humanity. The pulse of care and connection within us resuscitates. Our hearts, normally dulled by the day’s burdens, beat freely with love. And the ensuing kindness we extend to others has the power to resuscitate their spirits as well. For compassion not only restores the heart of our own humanity; its healing care makes human once more the heart of another grown hard and cold.

—Frank Rogers Jr., Practicing Compassion (Upper Room Books, 2015)

Today's Question

What spiritual practice resuscitates the pulse of care and connection within you? Join the conversation.

Today's Scripture

[Jesus said,] “Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
—Matthew 11:28-29 (NRSVUE)

Prayer for the Week

Open my eyes, O God, so I may see who around me needs compassion. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

Lectionary Readings

  • Amos 8:1-12
  • Psalm 52
  • Colossians 1:15-28
  • Luke 10:38-42

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

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

4 Comments | Join the Conversation.

 

Today's Reflection

We can offer our presence to people amid their complex problems, listen actively, and let go of anxiety that drives us to rid ourselves and others of pain. Our faith can help us. God offers us the truth about pain and suffering through Jesus: "In the world you face persecution, but take courage: I have conquered the world!" (John 16:33). In Jesus, we cannot have freedom from trouble, but we can have peace. When those around us are suffering, we can pray for peace, for wholeness, and for God’s comfort. We need not offer explanations or speak at length (or at all) about the value or joy in suffering. Our expressions of God’s love can be enough.

—Angela D. Schaffner, Gather Us In: Leading Transformational Small Groups (Upper Room Books, 2020)

Today's Question

Is it hard for you to listen to—without trying to solve—the problems of others? Join the conversation.

Today's Scripture

[Jesus said,] "I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution, but take courage: I have conquered the world!"
—John 16:33 (NRSVUE)

Prayer for the Week

God, we praise you for gathering us like a mother hen gathers her chicks under her wings. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

Lectionary Readings

  • Amos 7:7-17
  • Psalm 82
  • Colossians 1:1-14
  • Luke 10:25-37

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

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

2 Comments | Join the Conversation.

 

Today's Reflection

Boundaries help us discern where we end and another person begins so that we do not become fused with others in unhealthy ways. As is often the case, spiritual maturity requires holding two truths at once: We can bear one another’s burdens and carry our own load. While we are an interdependent body of believers, we each hold an individual identity like an ear or an eye, a hand or a foot. We are responsible for what falls within our boundaries: thoughts, feelings, urges, desires, and preferences. It’s not in our best interest to expect others to take responsibility for those aspects of our experiences. Neither is it in our best interest to take responsibility for those areas of other adults’ lives.

—Angela D. Schaffner, Gather Us In: Leading Transformational Small Groups (Upper Room Books, 2020)

Today's Question

What personal relationships came to mind as you read today's reflection? Join the conversation.

Today's Scripture

Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. . . . For all must carry their own loads.
—Galatians 6:2, 5 (NRSVUE)

Prayer for the Week

God, we praise you for gathering us like a mother hen gathers her chicks under her wings. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

Lectionary Readings

  • Amos 7:7-17
  • Psalm 82
  • Colossians 1:1-14
  • Luke 10:25-37

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

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

2 Comments | Join the Conversation.

 

Today's Reflection

The presence of faith practices is more important than the perfection of faith practices. Levels of stress, commitments, and family needs ebb and flow, and you can adjust accordingly. When you prioritize your faith practices, you build an important foundation for leading well.

—Angela D. Schaffner, Gather Us In: Leading Transformational Small Groups (Upper Room Books, 2020)

Today's Question

Where do your faith practices usually fall on your list of priorities?
Join the conversation.

Today's Scripture

Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
—Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

Prayer for the Week

God, we praise you for gathering us like a mother hen gathers her chicks under her wings. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

Lectionary Readings

  • Amos 7:7-17
  • Psalm 82
  • Colossians 1:1-14
  • Luke 10:25-37

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

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

4 Comments | Join the Conversation.