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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

Gardening (whether it’s in the yard or in the heart) involves some effort and sweat, but mostly it’s about allowing ourselves to be in harmony with the awesome creativity of the universe. We join hands with the Creator to do the tilling and the planting and nurturing together, then watch expectantly for the greening.

—Linda Douty, Rhythms of Growth: 365 Meditations to Nurture the Soul (Upper Room Books, 2014)

Today’s Question

Who can support you in watching expectantly for the Creator’s work in your life? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

I’m sure about this: the one who started a good work in you will stay with you to complete the job by the day of Christ Jesus.
—Philippians 1:6 (CEB)

Prayer for the Week

Thank you, God, for sun and showers
Thank you for each lovely flower
Thank you for each stately tree
Through all these, you speak to me.
—A Gardener’s Prayer
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

Through rich and moving stories from various people, author Frank Rogers Jr. shows ways to incorporate compassion in our daily lives. Start practicing compassion with Rogers.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

5 Comments

  • Jill Posted July 12, 2020 6:30 am

    This is a tough question now in these times. My “support staff” – not really “available” as usual. Trusted companions in my small group – we are on hiatus this summer during the pandemic. The past two summers there has been a summer study – with different ladies, yet sojourners all, who are willing to be authentic and share from deep within. Even brief check-ins after church service – these, too, are missing. Of course, my closest two confidantes are still readily available, but I do miss the interaction with my church friends. One I still see as she is on my tennis team. We do take time after our match to catch up outside by our cars. Not a whole lot of depth there, but at least interaction.
    Father – may we rejoice in this day, Your Presence in it and our ability to call on You.

  • Lou Posted July 12, 2020 7:51 am

    There are certainly people who can support me but I rarely reach out for this-in my job and in life I find that I am the person people reach out to which is wonderful but often has me feeling alone on the other side. I find lately that even my mom who I would reach out to for support needs me more and therefore I share less about what I am going through. I do have several good friends but remarkably I lack good Christian friends with whom I can share my faith- even some of my “church” friends have difficulty talking about faith and sharing and supporting each other in that way.
    Thankful to wake up to another beautiful summer day, thankful for my children who are healthy and working hard to find their way in life, thankful for the wisdom and faith found here daily, thankful for the friendships I do have and the work I need to do to deepen my faith connections, thankful for a good job, resources to do the things I need to do, and thankful for the love of God and the knowledge that we are never alone.
    Prayers and Blessings and God’s peace to all of you this day.

  • Julie Posted July 12, 2020 8:24 am

    Who indeed. Though I have recently begun a true friendship rather than the online one we previuosly shared with someone over the phone and I believe we could fulfilll this role for one another.
    Prayers for Jill and her family for health and safety.
    Prayers for Lou and her family as they seek their own way in the world and navigate their relationships as they change over time and distance.
    Prayers for Ally and David, for healing and a new job.
    Prayers for Robert, for continued ZOOM church and Bible studay and continuing model work which brings such joy and satisfaction.
    Prayers for April and her garden and her lovely surroundings as they all grow with the creators help and oversight.
    H has been spending time each day with his “friends” he went on vacation with and who instigate the divorce talk as they are sole recipients in his will and have his POA in case of incompetency.
    Prayers, thank you and stay healthy dear UR one and all

  • robert moeller Posted July 12, 2020 4:56 pm

    To be very honest, it’s God and me. Yes I am in contact with church friends, but intimate, I can share anything with, them , friends are not in my life now. Not sure if there has ever been someone that close.
    God knows me best, I’m thankful for that.

    My prayers for all of you continue, thank you for your prayers.

  • Julie Posted July 12, 2020 6:02 pm

    H just said he is going to file for divorce this week please pray for. Megan and me

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