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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

It may well be said that Christianity was founded on the most profound act of nonviolence ever witnessed. Not only did Jesus submit himself voluntarily to martyrdom, but he did so when, by his own account, he had more power than any person on earth to end his own suffering, end the wickedness of his tormentors, and bring judgment to the whole situation.

—Rosalind C. Hughes, Whom Shall I Fear? Urgent Questions for Christians in an Age of Violence (Upper Room Books, 2021)

Today’s Question

How does the sacrifice of Jesus inform your beliefs about nonviolence? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

His grave was among the wicked,
his tomb with evildoers,
though he had done no violence,
and had spoken nothing false.

—Isaiah 53:9 (CEB)

Prayer for the Week

Lord,
Even though I walk through lonely and dark times, I will fear nothing, because you are with me; your guidance and authority comfort me. (Adapted from Psalm 23:4)
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

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Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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5 Comments

  • Julie Posted July 8, 2021 8:18 am

    This reminds me of the Amish, who live their religion every day and who are staunch pacifists. Some have been beaten and bloodied without raising a finger in defense. I know I refer to the Amish often but I grew up near Lancaster and their are many Amish in the area where I now reside. I read many novels about and by the Amish. They are also forgiven of those who inflict pain on them as Jesus exemplified from the cross. The most profound instance being the reactions of the parents and community of the Amish children gunned down in the Amish school. They forgave the man and prayed for him and his family.
    Megan’s dad, Bruce, did not come yesterday but he assured it would be today. I see that she has learned to tke all he says with a grain of salt. A lesson I learned early in our courtship.
    Prayers for Ally’s job search and her and David’s ongoing health issues. Prayers for Lou and her daughter as her daughter searches for an apartment, may her daughter find an apartment and may Lou realize that worry does not help the situation. Prayers for Jill and Larry who I know are experiencing the same severe storms that I am. May they be safe. Prayers for Robert as he heals from an ear infection and Erich as he deals with dental issues. Most of all, prayers for Marti and thank you and bless you for all your hard work to keep this wonderful message board up and running which allows this small group of Christian friends to continue to fellowhip with one another every day.
    Thank you for your prayers and God bless all who visit here today.

  • Lou Posted July 8, 2021 9:26 am

    The ultimate sacrifice exhibiting non-violence is the most pure example for us. To understand how to forgive and respond peacefully is a concept that so many in our world struggle with and we see evidence of this everyday. I pray to be more peaceful and I pray to learn how to forgive the one person I know I need to forgive the most- but I truly struggle here. I’m working on it.
    Thankful for your prayers – I think my daughter and friends have found a place and have a verbal commitment- hoping to sign the lease today- it is available immediately so they said they would take it immediately- no one is waiting for anything as NY comes back to life…the students especially are coming back and it has been a mad race- but I think it is almost done and my daughter is excited and happy which is a rare thing! We talked until 1:30am about all of her plans – I just want the deal signed today! Thank you so much for praying for her and for me!
    Prayers for all here at the UR – you are always in my prayers. God’s peace today and always-

  • robert moeller Posted July 8, 2021 9:41 am

    Made it to NEM yesterday evening and read several days worth of posts. Prayers for Megan with shingles, that is certainly uncomfortable. Prayers for Jill’s many friends and their concerns, for Larry finding things to do, for Ally and David, their health and Ally’s job, for Lou’s friends and family, great news that an apartment in NYC has been found. My daughter lives in Brooklyn and upstate in Rhinebeck. Hope there is progress for Julie’s situation. The process is very slow and methodical.
    Joy that you found Syrian food that you remember and enjoy. My favorite Mediterranean area foods come from Spain and Italy, but there are foods in the eastern Mediterranean that I like.
    Thank You, Lord for the blessings of the day.

  • robert moeller Posted July 8, 2021 10:10 am

    Nonviolence is the way to go even though it often takes much longer to achieve the goal. I think of Gandhi in India and Martin Luther King in the US. In some ways Jesus’ death and resurrection is still working to achieve a goal. sadly God’s kingdom is not yet here on earth. Persist is the action that is needed. Thank You, Lord.

  • Jill Posted July 8, 2021 3:30 pm

    I see all the reactionary things which occur inside the walls of my school and it concerns me greatly. I fear they won’t “grow out of it”, but rather see this type of behavior modeled outside the walls of the school. Christ’s patience and soft words are an example to me. Yes, I can be firm, but in a loving, patient and tender way.
    My car had been making some “not good” sounds lately and I took it in today. Brakes – front and back. I will pick it up tomorrow. Scratching other things off my summer to do list also. Scheduled for gravel to be delivered and “tail-gate” spread in my driveway. I am hoping my neighbor (who doesn’t speak to me) will offer to pay half – right? Ever the optimist? I will try to tell her the date, as we share the driveway. She parks to the side of my garage. Gravel isn’t really needed there as the rest of the area between our houses to the sidewalk. I assume I will be the one raking it. Oh I want to have an attitude that honors Christ where my neighbor is concerned. But, boy is it challenging.
    Tennis match this evening. A group is carpooling up, good thing since my car is in the shop.
    My friend’s golf outing for her non-profit is tomorrow. Hoping the weather holds. She has put a lot of work into it. My dad and I are teaming up with my principal and the teacher who is recovering from breast cancer. She is not if she will be able to play every shot, but wants to give it a try. My friend’s non-profit organization is akin to Make-A-Wish. A year and a half ago she granted a wish for one of the students at my school. Hence, I was able to “hook” my principal into playing. My teacher friend has played in this with me before.

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