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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

The art of compassion is all about seeing with our souls. When we see with our souls, we become more aware of God’s daily presence. We discover that we do not have to seek the cosmic dance. It comes to us through the simple gifts God offers us: the morning silence before words and works begin. The songs of birds greeting the dawn. The child who tugs on our sleeve and invites us, “Come see.” The full orange moon shining through the trees.

—Marilyn Brown Oden, in Compassion: Thoughts on Cultivating a Good Heart, compiled and introduced by Amy Lyles Wilson (Fresh Air Books, 2008)

Today’s Question

When we practice “seeing with our souls,” how might our experience of compassion change? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

O LORD, how manifold are your works!
In wisdom you have made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.
—Psalm 104:24 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

God,
With my eyes, I choose to see with compassion. With my hands, I choose to give and touch with compassion. With my feet, I choose to go where I can deliver compassion. With my heart, I choose to love with great compassion.

(Pause for a minute of silence and imagine how you can show compassion today.)

Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

The Upper Room’s RESILIENCE: Healing Practices for Mind, Body, and Spirit is just around the corner, September 30-October 2, 2021. This online event will be a time of reflection and interaction, and an introduction to spiritual tools that you can use in your own healing journey or the healing journey through which you lead others. Register today.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

4 Comments

  • Julie Posted September 15, 2021 8:26 am

    I think I already do this. I believe my compassion is from my soul and its recognition of another’s gifts and suffering.
    I am being evaluated for hernias and will probably need surgery. I will be telling my lawyer that due to a medical issue with impending surgery and recovery that I need the hearing on the divorce to be no sooner than next year. Hopefully this is possible as I need time to attend doctor’s appointments as well as have tests. Since h has drawn this out for three years I would think it should be allowed. I have a meeting with my lawyer next week. Please pray this is accetable to her and the courts.
    Prayers for Ally and David, for improved health and for an approved disability application, prayers for Jill and Becky and Larry as they navigate a very personal matter and attempt to remain respectful of Larry throughout, prayers for Lou’s safe travel and relaxation, prayers for Robert and his sorrow as the anniversary ofSoo Ok’s death nears, prayers for Marti and her staff. Thank you for your prayers and kind words and may God bless all who visit here.

  • robert moeller Posted September 15, 2021 8:36 am

    I’d compare “seeing with our souls” to “seeing as Christ sees.” If Christ is in us, we are capable of this.
    I am hopeful that I am doing the work Christ places in my hands. Gray, overcast, humid, expecting rain this afternoon. Had a longer walk this morning, downtown road, sidewalk work is coming along,
    One side of the road is done, curbs going in. Thankful the stone project is finished. Took pictures for a railroad modeling friend. Next to be ready for the railroad historical society convention coming up in 9 days. Hopefully more people are vaccinated, wear masks, social distance, and a vaccine for children is soon available. Prayers for wisdom and wise action. Thank You, Lord.

  • Rev. Persida Rivera-Mendez Posted September 15, 2021 8:40 am

    I loved this reflection for today, “seeing with the soul” wow it really touched and spoke to me. My aha moment was when I thought if I cultivate “seeing with my soul” then its not hard to see Jesus in the other person, to be kind to others and compassion just would flow through my being and it wouldn’t be difficult at all to be compassionate. Thank you for those words that inspired me this morning. Blessings Rev. Persida

  • robert moeller Posted September 15, 2021 9:44 am

    I add my thoughts and prayers for Ally and David, for improved health and for an approved disability application, prayers for Jill and Becky and Larry as they navigate a very personal matter and attempt to remain respectful of Larry throughout, prayers for Lou’s safe travel and relaxation,, Thankful for prayers for me and my sorrow as the anniversary of Soo Ok’s passing approaches. prayers for Marti and her staff. Welcome Rev. Persida! I agree with you. Julie, prayers all goes well with the hernia issues and extending the legal proceedings until next year. Thank You, Lord.

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