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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

If we do not take personal sin seriously, forgiveness will have no real meaning. God takes our sin very seriously. Sin is an affront to divine goodness, justice, and holiness. Purity and truth constrain God to judge, restrain, and reeducate us. Certainly the Just One judges our sin. We have not well understood that God’s judgment is always in the service of love. Love yearns to restore our relationship to the communion God intended from the beginning.

—Marjorie J. Thompson, The Way of Forgiveness Participant’s Book (Companions in Christ Series) (Upper Room Books, 2002)

Today’s Question

What has shaped your perspective on sin and God’s judgment? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
—1 John 1:8-9 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Lord, guide me to know and learn from my emotions: my anger, my fears, my grief, my joys, my love. Show me how to master them so that they will not master me.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

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Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

2 Comments

  • Julie Posted February 12, 2021 8:27 am

    The stories and illustrations of the Bible are how I have learned about God’s wrath, forgiveness and continued love throughout. The Bible speaks of God’s disappointment when we sin, his correction of us when we deviate from His ways, and His desire for a loving relationship with us.
    Prayers for Ally’s continued improving eyesight. Prayers for David, may his doctor approve PT so that he can build his strength and balance. Continued prayers for Rachel and her improving health.
    Prayers for April and her family. Given her wise words of yesterday, when I read the prayer again today I thought that shame should be included in the list offered. It is something I need to work on as well.
    Prayers for Jill and Larry, may all go well tomorrow when Jill receives her vaccine.
    Prayers for Lou and her family, may she be staying warm and safe during the extreme weather.
    Prayers for Robert and Erich, may the counseling aid them in building a close relationship.

  • Jill Posted February 12, 2021 11:03 am

    The most impactful thing to me is being with a person or a small group where a person confesses their sins and struggles and seeks others to join in prayer for proper perspective moving forward, along with an openness to the correction of God. Observing authentic soberness in the wake of acknowledged sin is very moving. It allows me to take a candid look at myself and asks God’s help.
    Appreciating the leisureliness of the day. Will stop by school today to tend to treasurer’s stuff and may make a short stop at a store to pick up necessary things. Tennis match this evening.

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