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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

One way out of this spiritual wasteland is to discover the meaning of our life by remembering our story, connecting with God’s story, and listening to another’s story. When we remember our stories together, the acts of listening and telling help us move beyond the normal boundaries we impose on ourselves. We gain deeper insight into the ways of God’s grace in other people and in ourselves.

—Richard L. Morgan, Remembering Your Story: Creating Your Own Spiritual Autobiography (Upper Room Books, 2002)

Today’s Question

Who can you listen to and remember with as you share stories of God in your lives? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

I will call to mind the deeds of the LORD;
I will remember your wonders of old.

—Psalm 77:11 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
of Jesus and his glory, of Jesus and his love;
I love to tell the story, because I know ’tis true;
it satisfies my longings as nothing else would do.
(Source: Hymn by Katherine Hankey, 1868)

Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

The Academy Podcast shares rich content for the purpose of spiritual growth, engaging with leaders and friends in conversations that encompass the intersections of art, creativity, spirituality, parenting, antiracism, prayer, protest, and more. Listen deep. Listen wide. Listen here.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

5 Comments

  • Jill Posted September 1, 2020 4:55 am

    Certainly dad shares a lot about his memories with mom, the early years in their marriage, circumstances overcome, time spent travelling together. I have learned to appreciate listening to others’ stories…deeply personal and intense stories of God’s presence in their lives. Not only do I appreciate these opportunities, but I yearn for them. Something so missed in this time of isolation. I look forward to small group starting up here next week. But, the intimacy is lost a bit in the virtual world. Eye contact, body language – not as easily perceived.

  • robert moeller Posted September 1, 2020 7:54 am

    Have not had, except for a brief 10 week period more than 20 years ago, some one with whom I intimately shared my spiritual journey. Didn’t grow up or live my life with that experience. Perhaps the closest I have come to that 10 week experience has been sharing here on the UR. Of course, God knows everything inside out, some times it’s easiest to talk to God.

    Like your Dad, Jill, I try to remember the beginnings of my life with Soo Ok. Thankful I have letters that help, but there are details that I sense are missing and would be deeply meaningful to me. We all have our faults, even those with whom we commit to live our lives until death so us part. Hopefully we learn to live with those faults, help and be helped when we can, and in doing so keep going. When that person leaves this earthly life, the measure of our success comes in the depth of our sense of loss. It will be 23 years this November 17th, and I still sense loss. I have over come the pain, there has been some healing, and that is as it should be, but the impact of her life, our relationship, is still there.

    A new month, fall is coming, saw changed leaves on a hike in the White Mountains to Greeley Pond. A gorgeous spot deep in the woods, mountain peaks and cliffs above, a breeze on the pond, a very pleasant pond side campfire site and two small somewhat sandy beaches. Clear skies and sun.

    Blessings to all, thankful for renewed resources. Thank You, Lord.

  • Julie Posted September 1, 2020 8:33 am

    I like Robert, have no one now or ever, with which to share my story. The sharing here is the only option.
    Prayers for Jill and Larry as they both remember times with Gloria. May they enhance one another’s understanding of who she was as a person.
    Prayers for Robert as he continues to remember his time with Soo Ok. May he share these with his children and may they accept them as the gifts they are.
    Prayers for Ally and David as David continues to struggle with effects to his body from Covid 19.
    Prayers for BJ and her mom, Lou and her children and April and her family.
    Prayers, blessings and thankyou and stay well dear UR

  • Ally Posted September 1, 2020 12:21 pm

    Hello, UR Family. A little past morning. Hearing your stories about what God has done and what God is doing lifts my heart. Thank you Lord, for my UR friends. I am fortunate in that I have friends with whom I can share and who share their stories with me. My sweet friend who lives an hour or so away, comes to mind because she has great insight into the character of God. She has shared her struggles, some having to do with with family, her child, and being “different” in the deep south. We share this and each knows that the other understands. We are missing our coffee dates right now, but still share what God lays on our hearts.
    thanks to all for your continued faithful prayers for David and me. We are believing for full recovery. Please lift up a dear friend, MaryAnne, who has COVID-19 and is in hospital. She took a turn for the worse yesterday. We are praying for healing.
    Jill, I’m glad Larry can share about your mom and their early days together. It is a true blessing. Robert, prayers continue for you as you remember Soo Ok. It is a blessing to us that you share about her with us. Julie, I am so glad you share your story with us. Many prayers for you and Megan during this difficult season. Have you taken the kitties home? Our pets are such a comfort. Prayers that we all have someone with whom to share our stories. Finding ways to connect in these different times is crucial to our well-being. God is using y’all in my life for sure. Blessings to all.

  • April Posted September 1, 2020 10:11 pm

    Good evening. I used to write to a special friend and we just knew it was The Lord working in our lives the way everything was going as we shared stories and the events of our lives. She passed last year and I so miss her. I saved many of her letters and sometimes I read one to remember she is still with me. My grandchildren are starting to ask us to tell then stories of when we were young. I will use these opportunities to share with them my stories of God in my life as well as other things. I will start thinking of what to share so that I am ready.
    So good to hear of new kitties in your house Julie!! Praying for a good school year Jill and so glad to hear of the successful outcome from your procedure. I like to research the foods you mention Robert…every country has wonderful foods. Ally, I pray that David continues to recover and that you will find a good work environment. I pray for all who are meeting face to face with others, may everyone follow masking or social distancing as we practice methods to reduce the spread of COVID.
    Our HOA is interviewing new landscaping companies for next year. I am so thankful for them recognizing this need. Even though I like to volunteer, it is too much for me to pick up the slack when the main jobs are not done :((
    A new month starting today, a new day to Praise Our Lord, Blessing to All, we are all Beloved children of God.

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