X

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

Note: This week’s New Every Morning reflections are structured differently to follow the format of our featured title, Rally: Communal Prayers for Lovers of Jesus and Justice, which addresses issues of social justice through reflection and over 50 call-and-response prayers known as litanies.

God is able to do exceedingly and abundantly more than we can ask for, think about, or imagine. When we recognize injustice, what we can ask for, think about, or imagine may seem like an insufficient response to the injuries affecting us. Feeling unequal to the task, we may avoid doing anything.
Our individual responses—or even our institutional ones—in fact may be insufficient. Those possibilities notwithstanding, there is another, deeper truth: God uses seemingly insufficient things to effect justice, to bring about freedom.

—Andrew Wilkes with Britney Winn Lee, Rally: Communal Prayers for Lovers of Jesus and Justice (Fresh Air Books, 2020)

Today’s Question

How is God using your small steps to bring about justice and freedom? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Glory to God, who is able to do far beyond all that we could ask or imagine by his power at work within us.
—Ephesians 3:20 (CEB)

Today’s Litany

ONE: We seek justice with discernment, rejecting the false ideal of having to
know everything before starting anything.
ALL: All-wise God, help us distinguish between essential facts and nonessential
perspectives so that we can take informed action for justice.

ONE: One small step to undo oppression is greater than an ambitious, undone
deed.
ALL: Give us the strength to begin the work and the stamina to complete
it.

Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

The final litany from Rally was written by Britney Winn Lee in the beginning days of the global pandemic. This prayer reminds us that hope endures; goodness prevails; people surprise us; and love cannot, has not, will not fail. Watch and listen.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

3 Comments

  • Jill Posted August 11, 2020 6:21 am

    I am not sure how God is using what I offer…but trusting He is and will. I suppose my input in this area is the work I do at school. Treating my students as individuals, demonstrating respect and modeling how to carry and advocate for oneself confidently, yet humbly. Supporting each student well, listening intently and valuing their opinions and feelings. As they feel comfortable, letting them express their desires and share more of their background and upbringing. Listening to what they value, and assisting them along in the pursuit of their best selves.
    I am praising God for a good report yesterday. When the doctor left my room, following an all clear, see you in ten years, I found myself lying there quietly crying…tears of relief. I honestly didn’t think I was that concerned about a bad report, but with mom passing from colon cancer and some of the issues I had been having, it was a realistic possibility that the report could have been otherwise.
    Looking to bounce back well today – with tennis this evening. I had a few small meals, with bland foods yesterday and looking for normalcy today.

  • Ally Posted August 11, 2020 8:29 am

    My steps are certainly baby steps. God has used my career to teach me about issues of justice. God has used my Black friends to teach me about things I have never experienced. God has also taught me through my career in corrections. Many who are in the system are very broken. If I can help one returning citizen make the necessary changes to find his way home and stay out of prison, that is a step toward justice for all.
    David is feeling much better and has not experienced in dizziness/vertigo since Sunday. He still tires easily, and we are working on helping him to pace himself. We give thanks to God for each day. I received info on 3 jobs to consider: Mental health case manager with our local mental health provider, group facilitator with another provider, and creative arts therapist working with forensic clients. All 3 positions fit my skill set. I covet your prayers as I seek God’s wisdom about these jobs.
    Jill, my daddy was a teacher. I don’t think there is a field where a person has more opportunities to touch lives and leave your imprint. Teaching is a true calling. I feel confident God is using you in your chosen field. Praise the Lord for a great report from the dr. Prayers for your GI issues to resolve. You remain in my prayers. I lift up each member of our UR family and know that God is using us in ways we haven’t imagined. Keep save and be blessed!

  • Julie Posted August 11, 2020 8:44 am

    I do very little in my current situation. I tried to be a social worker after I left nuclear engineering but the Reynaud’s began while I was in school and put that out of reach (pun intended). I raised and am still raising a child and she seems to have learned to have empathy, be helpful to others and identify injustice. She is very interested in getting back to volunteering which I am wary of doing at this time.
    I add my prayers of praise to Jill’s for a good report. My grandfather had colon cancer that was caught early but his brother died of it. Prayers that your doctor can determine the source of your GI issues. I agree with Ally, your work, especially in your particular school, touches many souls in a positive manner.
    Prayers for Ally as she seeks God’s wisdom concerning a new job. Prayers for David as he continues to contend with effects from COVID 19.
    Prayers, thank you and stay well dear UR

Add Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *