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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 path of compassion offers an antidote to the self-hatred that consumes us. It invites us into a relationship with ourselves that truly knows ourselves as beloved; that holds our own shadows, shames, and internal furies with empathic understanding and healing love; and that restores us to the core of care that is the essence of who we are. Out of the abundance of such self-compassion we are able to have genuine compassion for others—indeed, to love our neighbors with the very same love with which we love ourselves.

—Frank Rogers Jr. Practicing Compassion (Upper Room Books, 2015)

Today’s Question

When have you noticed a connection between self-compassion and compassion for others? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another.
—1 John 4:10-11 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Lord, open my eyes so that I may see who around me needs compassion.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

The Upper Room is committed to a ministry that is increasingly global, antiracist, and ecumenical. This is the work of discipleship and spiritual formation.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

4 Comments

  • Jill Posted August 4, 2020 4:58 am

    This was something my spiritual director emphasized with me. And I don’t feel like I was being uncompassionate with myself. But she encouraged me to BE compassionate with myself, my feelings, my longings. Being intentional about offering oneself grace can lead to one being aware of either lacking or providing grace for another.
    A friend and former colleague sold dad and I two passes to the top rated golf course in our state – at a vastly reduced price. Yesterday dad and I drove almost two hours to the course and enjoyed golf on an exquisite course. What an opportunity, one which will never likely come again. We enjoyed it so very much, feeling quite lucky for the opportunity.

  • robert moeller Posted August 4, 2020 8:13 am

    Jill, sounds like the golf experience of a life time. I enjoy seeing, visiting golf courses, just fir their beauty,Despite some family members who play golf, I have not had that desire.
    Yes, their is a connection between self-compassion and compassion for others. Some do more for others than for themselves, in others the reverse is true. I try to balance the two.
    The needed decal arrived yesterday and hopefully will be in place today. There’s been other modeling progress as well.
    A negative COVID test enables my once every 10 years procedure tomorrow I’m on a liquid diet today.
    Cooler weather, expecting wind and rain from the storm coming up the coast.
    ZOOM Bible study on understanding the will of God in about 30 minutes.
    Be safe, prayers of concern and thanksgiving for all the UR family. Thank You, Lord.

  • Julie Posted August 4, 2020 8:30 am

    I am not good at self compassion. I have been denigrated my entire life and have trouble accepting that I am beloved by my Holy Father. I can be compassionate to others but I recognize the concept the author is discussing.
    Prayers for Jill and Larry and her friend, may she be blessed for her kindness. May Jill and Larry treasure this shared memory for a very long time.
    Prayers for you Robert as I know the procedure you are having and I know tommorow will be rough as the prescribed prep is horrendous. May your test be completely clear.
    Prayers for Ally and David and their continued health and job struggles.
    Prayers, thank you and good health dear UR oone and all

  • Rev. Anita Marshall Posted August 4, 2020 10:20 am

    Just seems to me that compassion is God’s love working through Jesus’ disciples to display love in action towards ourselves and others, the environment, justice practices, swimming in baths of peace, and humbling ourselves before a God we fear.

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