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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

Older adults often worry about not being able to adequately express their innermost thoughts to God. You too may be concerned about fumbling over your words, especially if asked to offer a public prayer. Remember this important truth: God is not impressed by lofty words. God yearns for authentic hearts and people who want to grow in relationship with God.

—Missy Buchanan, From Dry Bones to Living Hope: Embracing God’s Faithfulness in Late Life (Upper Room Books, 2021)

Today’s Question

Which method of prayer allows you to authentically express your heart to God?
Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

O God, do not be far from me;
O my God, make haste to help me!
—Psalm 71:12 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Gracious God, open our eyes to see the gifts in this season of life. May we seek your wisdom and pursue our holy purpose with authentic hearts. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

In his new book, Everyday Contemplative: The Way of Prayerful Living, Roger Owens invites us to pay attention to our longings and desires. In this brief exercise, he offers scripture, questions for reflection, and a journal prompt so that we might become more aware of our deepening longing for God.
Listen here.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

4 Comments

  • Julie Posted February 18, 2022 8:27 am

    This is a subject I have been reflecting on lately. I feel more connected to God when i simply pray when I feel a need to share with him. I do not like prescribed prayers at certain times. They feel stilted.
    Prayers for Ally and her sister and their legal struggles, prayers for Ally’s health issues and for financial relief. Prayers for Robert and his family as they visit together. Prayers for Lou and her children who are at crossroads in their lives. Prayers for Roger as Jill performs another day filled with ear sticks.
    My leg and feet are healing. My stomach on the other hand continues to be unsettled and I am even having trouble keeping food down at times. Thank you for your prayers and may God bless all who visit here.

  • Lou Posted February 18, 2022 9:38 am

    Like Julie- I kind of pray any time without a specific method to it. I think my prayer is my daily talking to God – and I talk to him alot throughout the day- lots of thank you’s and help me ! Recently I have been involved in a Tuesday evening compline prayer group that I love – we end the day in prayer (via zoom) and then I often try to go straight to bed with the wonderful feeling of the prayer time in my heart and mind. So I guess I have structured and unstructured prayer time and that is good for me.
    Prayers for you all this cold sunny morning. I am tired of shoveling snow – another 4 inches last night. Praying for you all and for your needs. God hears our prayers. God loves us all.

  • robert moeller Posted February 18, 2022 10:35 am

    I don’t have a problem talking to God, people can be more difficult. Having a good time with my granddaughters, been out for a walk, a board game is next. I share prayers for Julie,Lou, Ally&David, and Jill with Roger. Working on trying to resolve issues with Erich. Thank You, Lord.

  • Jill Posted February 18, 2022 1:54 pm

    I am comfortable praying with others – usually in my small group or one on one. It seems lately that my morning prayer time is very disjointed. When I get discouraged, I reach for the Bible and turn to the Psalms, and pray my way through one of my go-to’s.
    Incredible weather change from yesterday – so cold again. I had an appointment this morning and then ran an errand. Picked up new rugs for my kitchen, but not sure I am going to keep them. My cabinets are white and the rug is two shades of gray with a more off-white than white pattern. Need to give it a couple of days in natural light to decide if I will keep them.
    Meeting a friend for dinner – ready to give restaurants a try again. Will be meeting early in an uncrowded (hopefully) place. Numbers are down significantly in my area – so will see how comfortable I am with it. A tennis match later this evening.
    Had some calls to make for various things. I dread calling and doing the automated thing and then waiting to speak to a real person. But I knocked out three of these calls – with a fair amount of success. Little Roger and I snuggled with the warm blanket.

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