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

The more in touch we become with our belovedness, the more passionate we become about God and all that God has created. We become passionate about who we are, how we reflect God’s sacred image, and who God calls us to be in the world. We become passionate about the world, wanting to care for and nurture other people and all creation.

—Kristen E. Vincent, We Are Beloved: A Lenten Journey with Protestant Prayer Beads (Upper Room Books, 2019)

Today’s Question

Where can you passionately extend God’s love to other people and all creation? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Give thanks to the God of heaven—
God’s faithful love lasts forever!

—Psalm 136:26 (CEB)

Prayer for the Week

Open my heart to your love, O God.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

How do we stay centered in the midst of fears, grief, and stress? Here are some resources to help you keep—or create—spiritual wellness and wholeness in these anxious times.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

Liturgy of the Palms

Liturgy of the Passion

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

9 Comments

  • Jill Posted April 4, 2020 6:09 am

    Right now, this is a challenge as I remain isolated. I am trying to be sure to reach out to people via text or email. It is beautiful to see the emergence of spring. The buds on the trees, the grass greening up, the spring bulbs doing their thing. A mild day is forecast today – and I plan on getting out into my flower beds and clearing out the remnants of fall and winter.

  • robert moeller Posted April 4, 2020 6:09 am

    We are asked, as I understand, to use all the gifts God has given us to passionately extend God’s love to all people and creation we meet, not just in times like these, but always. Lord help us to do better. Blessings as we approach Palm Sunday. Be safe, stay healthy. Thank You, Lord.

  • Ally Posted April 4, 2020 7:37 am

    This is hard right now, as Jill said. I’m isolated at the most difficult point in my life. My husband is positive for COVID-19 and is in ICU with double pneumonia and is on a ventilator. I have been passionate in my prayers for his healing and for his care team. Our family and friends have been passionate in extending God’s love to us through word and action. Though some human touch and physical company would be most welcome, I have felt God’s presence through phone calls, texts, and prayers for my sweetheart are going to God from across the globe. David and I truly feel beloved. Please pray for us.

    • Lou Posted April 4, 2020 7:58 am

      Prayers for you Ally – and your husband.
      God is near.

    • Andrea Posted April 4, 2020 3:27 pm

      I also am praying for you and your husband, Ally. May he and you be well.

  • Lou Posted April 4, 2020 7:56 am

    I try to keep in contact with family and friends and reach out to those who are alone in my neighborhood as well- as Robert pointed out we should be doing that in these times but in times of calm as well- peace and love to all who come here today. God knows our hearts – our joys and our fears – He is near. Have faith and believe.

  • Julie Posted April 4, 2020 7:57 am

    Megan and I went for a walk yesterday and offered a treat to thse we saw along the way. We had made banana chocolate bars and divided them into bags to share with neighbrs. This is a small thing but it brought smiles to all.
    When we walked in the door h began a tirade against us accusing us of things that were not true and he would not listen to reason. He kept verbally attacking us. Then several minutes later after going upstairs to his lair to watch the news he came down and demanded we give him masks to cover his face as the governor of our state recommended. I told him we had none and another tirade ensued. We do have some for us but I felt disinclined to share after the treatment of us both immediately before and for all the years previous. We have enough for us.
    Prayers for Jill and her student D. May God lead Jill as she speaks to D giving her the wards and also the manner of speaking to help D through this trying time.
    Prayers for Robert and his new Zoom church on Palm Sunday. I hope your keyboard issues resolve soon. I emphasize as my “o” seems to acting wonky.
    Prayers for Ally and her beloved David, may both feel God’s love embracing them and supporting them through this health crisis and separation. This illness takes a particular toll as we are separated from the ill loved one as well as ourr normal support network.
    Prayers for Andrea, Lowell and Molly, April, BJ, Lou and Rick.
    Prayers and thank you UR

  • Andrea Posted April 4, 2020 3:33 pm

    This past week I have been passionate about face masks, sewing them for loved ones, friends, and our local hospital. I have been passionate about staying connected with people I care for and people who are alone. And I have been passionate about preparing simple, tasty meals for Lowell and me, walking every day, using time well.

    I pray for Jill and her passion for her students and teaching; for Robert and his passion to look out for Erich; for Lou and her passions for her children and clients; for Julie and her passion for extending her prayers to others, along with the bars she and Meghan baked; for Bj and her passion for sharing uplifting scripture; for Rick and his husband, and for Rick’s passion for pursuing a selfless profession. I pray for all UR friends and visitors, may your passions be blessed by our loving God..

  • Rick Posted April 4, 2020 7:01 pm

    Greetings Friends,
    I have reached out to my family in New England and friends near and far, As well as my church family. I’ve been able to connect via Zoom with my meetings. I have been Leaning into the load and embracing the quiet time in isolation. It reminds me of times i have spent at the Abby in quiet reflection, for a weekend at a time. Prayer and much mediation has been a healing balm for me. I’ve appreciated my walks in early morning or late evening walks about my neighborhood. Seeing the beauty of God’s work all around me. I believe that once this season is over there will be much to do after, It’s always darkest in the midst of the storm. I ask prayers for my Pastor and her family as she became positive this week for the virus. Ally, I hold your husband David in prayer for healing and all the nurses and doctors and health professionals on the front lines. I pray you will continued to feel Gods love for you and David during this most difficult time. My prayers to you Julie, as you and Megan are dealing with such constant fear and verbal abuse. I pray you both can find a way out. Continued prayers to Jill, Robert, Lou, Andrea and BJ and those who visit the UR. My the Peace of Christ be with you all during difficult season.

Add Comment

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