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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

WHY IS IT SO HARD for us to believe that God’s love really is unconditional and that we should imitate God’s love not only for others, but also for ourselves? Perhaps we have regarded self-centered behavior too harshly. We are unwilling or unable to give ourselves the same gentle grace that God offers us and that we believe should be offered to others. Leap from doubt to belief and remember that God loves you, delights in you, and yearns for your response.

– Norman Shawchuck and Rueben P. Job
A Guide to Prayer for All Who Seek God

From pages 389-390 of A Guide to Prayer for All Who Seek God by Norman Shawchuck and Rueben P. Job. Copyright © 2003 by Norman Shawchuck and Rueben P. Job. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

Commit to a time today to take care of yourself. Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

We have spoken frankly to you Corinthians; our heart is wide open to you.

2 Corinthians 6:11, NRSV

This Week: pray a prayer of thanksgiving every day this week. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.

Did You Know?

In need of prayer? The Upper Room Living Prayer Center is a 7-day-a-week intercessory prayer ministry staffed by trained volunteers. Call 1-800-251-2468 or visit The Living Prayer Center website.

This week we remember: Ephrem (June 18).

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

Sponsored by Upper Room Ministries ®. Copyright © 2018 | PO Box 340004 | Nashville, TN 37203-0004 | USA

17 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted June 22, 2018 6:08 am

    I consider starting the day with the UR an important part of taking care of my self. Walking, going to church, eating good meals , and having a hobby are also part of it.

    Very thankful for the prayers for Erich, they are very much needed. The lack of faith makes life tougher.

    Continued prayers for Marcy’s and Julie’s health and well being, many good days filled with comfort and peace for Gloria, support and sustainment for Larry, Jill, and Becky, a water free basement for Lou, peace and resolution for Connie, Betsy, and Andrea and their families, patience and energy for Mary who handles a myriad of tasks at school and provides care for her parents. Blessings to all the UR family. All of you are precious in His sight.

    Prayers for Joan Duffy with stage four cancer, Bob Jones with thyroid cancer, the recovery of a young man with heart problems, peace in a church dispute,
    safe travels from Debbie and Chloe as they check out a college very far away.
    Thankful Arnolds Vilcins is recovering from heart surgery and the side effects of medication used to help his heart and that the church I attend has a pastor.

    Prayers for immigrants, refugees, those seeking asylum and their children, that respect and fair treatment be given them as families. Separating children from their parents, except in cases of abuse, is wrong. Lord, help us back on the path of wisdom and caring.

    Thank You, Lord, for this site where we are able to care for ourselves.

    • Alfreda Johnson Posted June 22, 2018 9:29 am

      Self Care is so important and you hid it on the head, in that, we ought to embrace the love of Christ inwardly so that it can be spread outwardly. God not only loves us unconditional, but eternally. Therefore, self care is an extension of God’s love.

      • robert moeller Posted June 22, 2018 11:12 am

        Welcome Alfreda, loved your post, hope we hear more from you. When I joined this oasis there were not as many posters. Now we are quite a small community.

    • Andrea Posted June 22, 2018 10:34 am

      Thank you Robert, for your prayers and your comments. I pray for Erich, for his work and for his journey, hopefully, to having faith in God. Faith and prayer give one so much strength. I pray too for you, Anneliese, and all who you name in your prayer intentions. God bless you, Robert.

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted June 22, 2018 11:16 pm

      Thanks Robert for your prayers

      Keeping Erich in prayer

      May Erich know God and may he believe in Him

      Blessings

      • robert moeller Posted June 23, 2018 6:45 am

        Thank you, Mary! Just as there is power in the blood of Jesus, there is power in prayer.

        Blessing to you, your parents, students, and school.

  • Jill Posted June 22, 2018 6:26 am

    Part of my self care has recently included seeing a counselor to help me sort out, talk through my feelings regarding my mom’s outlook on her health. I am receiving Biblical based counseling and I am glad I reached out for help. My friends, specifically three of them, have been incredible throughout all of this. They each encouraged me to seek this counseling and continue to be steadfast in their support. I am so grateful for those God has placed in my life – to live life with me and I with them.
    Dad and I had a beautiful morning for golf yesterday. Almost as soon as he picked me up, he started talking about mom. That pretty much lasted for our full time together. It didn’t do much for our golf games, but he needed to talk. He knew I had been thinking about going to a counselor, and I told him yesterday that I had been seeing one. He had all kinds of questions. I encouraged him, once again, to seek out his care pastor at church and speak with him. Part of his reluctance is how mom will react. He said he was going to tell her that I was in counseling. The truth of the matter is she is the one who needs the counseling, but adamantly refuses.
    Heavy conversation, heavy times, heavy heart for dad. It tears at me so – how mother’s outlook (or lack of one) is crushing her and straining at pulling us all down with her. So, we all continue our little dance on egg shells, while trying to self care and care for each other.
    Father – I know nothing is impossible with You, and all of this is aligned with Your Will. Thank You for dad’s physical health, his comfort of mom – may he receive the support he needs to daily hang in there. Indeed, Your daily grace is sufficient. Encourage dad’s heart. Help Becky and I to know how to best love and serve our parents. Thank You for loving mom. I know You will continue to beckon her.

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted June 22, 2018 11:19 pm

      Jill, may God be your source of strength and may you experience more of His grace. May your parents be well. I commit you and your parents into God’s hands. May His presence bring you joy and peace

      Blessings

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted June 22, 2018 7:07 am

    Grateful that this long and tiring week is over

    Grateful for good health qnd a fruitful week

    Grateful that parents also have good health and all your prayers

    Blessings to all

    • Andrea Posted June 22, 2018 10:26 am

      Wishing you a restful weekend, dear Mary. God bless you.

      • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted June 22, 2018 11:48 am

        Thanks so much, Andrea!

        Blessings

  • Julie Posted June 22, 2018 7:54 am

    Prayers, continue, for Mary and her parents. I pray most ardently for Mary, for strength and for stress relief. Thankful her week is over and prayers for refreshing rest. Prayers for her parents and thankful they are doing better.
    Prayers for Gloria, Jill, Larry and Becky. May each feel supported and understood despite their unique and very personal means of dealing with Gloria’s health issues. May each feel your love and suppport of their choices.
    Prayers for Robert. Prayers for all of the concerns of others that he shared. I have never known such a God centered and selfless male. Bless Robert with continued good health and success with his railroad project. Prayers for Erich to have open ears and an open mind and an
    open heart to Robert.
    Prayers for Marcy and her health.
    Prayers and blessings for all of the UR family and thank you for your kind and caring words and prayers, they mean the world to me

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted June 22, 2018 8:44 am

      Thank you dear Julie for your prayers!

      Blessings

    • robert moeller Posted June 22, 2018 10:48 am

      Thank you, Julie, that’s very humbling. Of course you know Jesus and as Paul said, “I am not worthy to untie the thongs on his sandals.” I’ve made my own mistakes, without Jesus, I’m lost.

      Prayers there is progress with hands, foot, and the situation you are in. Glad you are seeing people for help. God is with you.

  • Andrea Posted June 22, 2018 10:48 am

    I find this reflection to be so wise. I pray for good self care for UR prayer warriors. I give thanks for this beautiful time of year, when there is still light in the sky until almost 10:00, the grass and trees are multi- shades of green, the flowers are at their peak, with the half-moon glowing softly last evening in the deepening blue dusk. Thank you, God, for the beauty of Your creation, reminding me that You are always near.

    Blessings and prayers.

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted June 22, 2018 11:22 pm

      Yes, self care is very important. I do take care of myself by walking closely with God and also eat well, sleep well and rest well over the weekends

      Blessings

      • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted June 23, 2018 2:58 am

        Thank you God for my upperroom friends and the UR ministry!

        Blessings to all

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