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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

We see that the liturgy of Holy Communion opens us up to the one who reconciles and heals. It forms us as peacebuilders, ministers of reconciliation. To this table God invites all who “seek to live in peace with one another.” The message is of God’s forgiveness and steadfast love in spite of our failure to love God and neighbor. God invites us to “offer one another signs of reconciliation and love.”

—Thomas Porter, Conflict and Communion: Reconciliation and Restorative Justice at Christ’s Table (Upper Room Books, 2006)

Today’s Question

How is God inviting you to build peace in your community? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
—Romans 12:17-18 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

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.
(From the Peace Prayer of Saint Francis)
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

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Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

3 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted July 31, 2023 6:05 am

    Trying to decide how to help to church members who had words yesterday before worship began. Both left church in quite a huff. I’m thinking to send an email with appropriate scripture. Have only hints as to what it was about.
    Wonderful weather here today lows in the 50s highs in the 70s. Easier for me to handle the sun with those temps and low humidity. Thank You, Lord.
    Blessings to all the NEM family. Prayers for your concerns and thanks for your joys.

  • Julie Posted July 31, 2023 9:37 am

    I believe God does not call me to be a resolver of conflict but a person who models living in harmony with all. People have differing views because they have differing points of view. It is not my job to change another’s view but to respect their point of view.

  • Lou Posted July 31, 2023 9:55 am

    I believe that God wants me to model peace and I try to do that within my own family. My children do not talk my ex anymore. That greatly saddens me because we used to be very close. I think my children feel replaced by the “new family” and they are hurt by his lack of interest in them. I’m sure if he approached them they would gladly receive him- I’ve tried to encourage connection but he told me never to interfere in their relationship- it is a difficult situation but I try to model peaceful responses and never say a negative word that only encourages the bad feelings. It is so sad.
    I have a friend situation involving some conflict and I try to help both see the positive sides of the other person and I do not participate in the negative talk that people want to engage in. I try to state the positive and help people see the other side. I believe that it is our job in life to help each other and support each other and I won’t get involved in tearing others down. Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.

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