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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

PEACEMAKING is more than just saying “The peace of Christ be with you” in the passing of the peace at church. It involves a commitment to see the divine in each person and to behave in such a way that others discover their own holiness. I realize experiencing the world in a peaceful manner is challenging in our time of political and cultural polarization. It is difficult for me to see God’s presence in neo-Nazi marchers, white supremacists, and political leaders who intentionally fan the flames of polarization and division. I am tempted to see them as lost causes, unworthy of my respect. Yet beneath the bloviating politician is a child of God. Hidden in the neo-Nazi is the face of Jesus. Recognizing the holiness hidden in those whose politics or behavior I find repugnant does not require me to agree with their policies or beliefs, but it does invite me to respond to them in ways that bring reconciliation and peace, whenever possible.

—Bruce G. Epperly, The Mystic in You: Discovering a God-Filled World (Upper Room Books, 2018)

Today’s Question

Does being a peacemaker mean staying silent at all times? When might a peacemaker speak out?  Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
—Matthew 5:9 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Peace Prayer of Saint Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room or share it in the comment section.

Something More

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Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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8 Comments

  • Connie Posted September 10, 2019 7:56 am

    I am here….in spirit anyway. The last few weeks have been very stressful. Maybe things will improve, God willing.
    I want a peaceful life, but I am not afraid to speak up. However, to no avail!
    I am so thankful for the thoughts and prayers of the UR. Gives me strength to go on. Julie, Lou, Robert, Mary, Jill and all. (my mind is “mush” so forgive any I have failed to mention…..I always review previous posts as I am able. Love and Blessings from Connie. your sister in Christ.

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted September 11, 2019 3:41 am

      May the peace of God be with you, Connie!

      Blessings!

  • robert moeller Posted September 10, 2019 8:06 am

    Yes, there are times when peacemakers should, must speak out. Tell the truth, hold people accountable, check facts and make them public. This can be done in peaceful ways.

    Hope for good news about people who had surgery yesterday. Need to have my computer checked, get a new power cord. Computers are as vital as phones.

    Had a great walk in the Flume yesterday with my son. A great drive, nice lunch, and beautiful scenery in the White Mountains. They are still green, some color here and there.

    Not much battery left. Blessings to you all.

  • Julie Posted September 10, 2019 8:24 am

    Sometimes I think that the person who writes the question does not read the reflection. I do not feel that the reflection seals our lips. He merely says that our adversary is a child of God and shhould be treated as such. In other words respecfully. One can disagree in a nonconfrontaional manner and without denigrating the other. In fact, the people involved in the Tree of Life shooting did just that. The members of the synagogue spoke to the judge asking that the death penalty not be persued. The judge ignored them but they had respectfully made the request, complete with reasoning and refrained from commenting on the decision. What examples of peacemakers while disagreeing with both the judge and obviously the ideologies of the shooter. I long to be so.
    Prayers of celebration and rejoicing! I actually squealed out lou CONNIE! So great to hear from you and prayers for the stress to allow you rest at times. Have strength in the Lord and in your friends who never leave you or forget you especially here.
    Prayers for Mary and I pray her Tuesday went well.
    Prayers for April and BJ and their families.
    Prayers for healing for Andrea, Connie, Erich, Marcy and Robert.
    Prayers for emotional healing for Jill and Larry and Lou.
    Well, so nice to have electricity and internet today. Yesterday both came and went, with the internet mostly gone. I did not think twice to count my blessings and say another prayer for those living in the Bahamas.
    Prayers, blessings, warm hugs and thank you wonderful folk

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted September 11, 2019 3:44 am

      Thanks Julie!

      Glad to hear that your electricity came back quickly.

      Yes, my Tuesday went well. I went to watch movie with my sister and niece.

      Grateful to God for my sister and niece!

      Blessings!

  • Rev. Persida Rivera-Mendez Posted September 10, 2019 11:33 am

    I would say that we need to speak out when we see injustice and people being discriminated because of who they are…speaking out in love and peace of course.

  • Mary Jo Purdom Posted September 10, 2019 12:13 pm

    This is such a challenge. I can with God’s help.
    Thank you for today’s devotion and nudge.

  • Jill Posted September 11, 2019 3:33 am

    Staying silent is not a requirement for peace. Peace is so much more than audible quietness. There may be necessary times of disturbance in order to ultimately obtain peace. Father, beckon us on.
    This makes me think of Psalm 62:8 – “Trust in Him at all ties, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.” As I pour out my heart to Him – it is often quite messy – but once that has occurred, then peace flows. He is my refuge, my peace.
    Roger has been drinking more water than usual and I am taking him to the vet this afternoon. My last cat had to be put down because he had diabetes. He was drinking so much water in the end. I am concerned, and struggling with a decision I might have to make. Trying not to get ahead of myself.

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