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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 SKEWED PRIORITIES of the culture we inhabit run deep. They are etched into the fabric of our decision-making processes and reinforced through a thousand messages and object lessons every day.

The morality of faithlessness and instant gratification pushes on our decision-making processes every time we engage the world on its terms. From pop-up ads to song lyrics to posters on the subway walls; from selfish drivers to a boss who lacks integrity and expects compromise; from the allure of another drink to the indecent propositions of a coworker. The world is broken and we live in it: end of story.

And so we dare not leave our faith at home or bottled up at church when we venture out. We dare not pretend that we can live the Christian life on our own. If Jesus had to say, “Not what I want but what you want” (Matt. 26:39), then how much more do we need the power of God’s transforming presence in our day-to-day lives?

—Derek Maul
Get Real: A Spiritual Journey for Men

From page 68 of Get Real: A Spiritual Journey for Men by Derek Maul. Copyright © 2007 by The Upper Room. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

What or who helps you stay aware of God’s presence throughout the day?  Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.”
—Matthew 26:39, NRSV

Prayer for the Week

Give me the courage and strength to serve you, Lord.

Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.

Something more

Sight Psalms is a daily, online, photo inspiration intended to help people reflect on God’s presence in the world and in their lives through the use of images. Each day, a new photograph is posted to evoke reflection and inspiration within themes connected to the Christian year, and it is usually accompanied by a few words. Discover more.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

Sponsored by The Upper Room. Copyright © 2019 | PO Box 340004 | Nashville, TN 37203-0004 | USA

6 Comments

  • Jill Posted June 2, 2019 5:35 am

    Intentionality – being attuned into the Spirit, a growing awareness in me. Surely there are school days where there isn’t even a hint of this as interruptions and an intense schedule can be the norm. When I think I will have downtime, other things arise that fill the space. But trying to be aware, to take a moment to pause, to be grateful, to think heaven-wards.
    A friend from my church, whose dad has pancreatic cancer, will be joining me at the cancer support group this morning. It will be good to have the time in the car up there to share. We will be attending the church service first, and then the group meeting.
    Sunday morning blessings to all.

  • Julie Posted June 2, 2019 8:22 am

    The wonderful Christian family here keeps my days grounded in Christ. My Bible and devotional reading and prayer. Also seeing God in so many everyday things, my kitties, birds, flowers, leaves…….
    Prayers for Jill and her friend as they seek fellowship and healing.
    Prayers for Marcy and her health. Prayers for Mary and her father and his appetite and her burdens. Prayers for Robert and his move. Prayers for Connie and her health both of body and soul.
    I am alone with h today, prayers for strength and safety would be greatly appeciated. I will spend the day frightened and on edge.
    Prayers and blessings and warm hugs and thank you dear UR family

    • Marcy Posted June 2, 2019 8:40 pm

      Julie, I am praying for you, my friend and sister. Although commenting is difficult for a variety of reasons, I am always praying for you! You should look into a phone alert system, but you need a person to receive the message and send for help. I pray you will reach out to someone at the church, in the ministry. I know how you feel about the church, but surely they’d be happy to help in this. My Pastors are my emergency contacts! I will continue to pray for you and Megan, dear one! Sending Love to you!

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted June 2, 2019 8:27 am

    Thanks Julie!

    May God watch over you and grant you courage and strength, Julie!

    Went to church today. God is good. Give us the courage and strength to serve you, Lord.

    Blessings!

  • Connie Posted June 2, 2019 8:39 am

    I stay in tune easily because there are always things that I ask help for from God, and things that I thank Him for. I read the scriptures also and stay in connection with the UR. My paper UR Devotional was always on my kitchen table before there were computers.
    My dr. appt. did not go as well as I had hoped. I had lost a lot more weight and he is trying to figure it out. I will trust in the Lord, as I am doing what I can. Actually, I have been doing better (I thought).
    There is a new squirrel in the “hood”. He is gray on his front half and brown on his backside and tail and the regulars get pushed around by him!
    Julie, I am concerned for you. Could you get some sort of alert system on your phone?
    Have a Sweet Sabbath all.

  • robert moeller Posted June 5, 2019 5:03 am

    Nature, the UR, church, the Bible, and internet messages all help me stay aware of God’s presence throughout the day.

    I’m sending this on June 5th and the date of the reflection is June 2nd. As always I’m thankful I can go back and both read and post.

    Yes, I too pray for Julie’s safety, Marcy’s health and well being, Mary’s Dad,
    and Jill and her friend whose Dad has pancreatic cancer. Amazing the power of prayer that can address all of these concerns and even more beyond them.
    Thank You, Lord.

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