Today’s Reflection
God of restoration and renewal, thank you for your forgiveness. We confess that we sometimes walk like people who are discouraged and defeated rather than forgiven and victorious. Help us claim stability and strength in every area of our lives. Empower us with divine insight and understanding into all things that bring joy and peace, hope and prosperity into our lives. We believe and confess that today is a day of new beginnings. In Jesus’ name we pray and submit ourselves to you alone. Amen.
—Junius B. Dotson, “Sometimes We Are Discouraged,” in The Africana Worship Book (Year C), edited by Valerie Bridgeman Davis and Safiyah Fosua (Discipleship Resources, 2008)
Today’s Question
What spiritual practice helps you recover from discouragement?
Join the conversation.
Today’s Scripture
Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!
—Psalm 27:14 (NRSV)
Prayer for the Week
Abba, Help us to see beyond ourselves,
and see you in ALL of the world.
It is because of your goodness and
in response to your grace
that I pray . . . Amen.
—Prayer excerpted from Ray C. Jordan, “Help Me to See You” (Psalm 42), in The Africana Worship Book (Year C)
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
“God is the source of liberation but enlists us, God’s disciples, as a resource to accomplish this purpose,” Terrell L. McTyer writes in his reflection on liberation for the Upper Room Ministries Blog.
Read more here.
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
6 Comments
Prayer, worship, and Bible reading help me when I feel discouraged. While the effort to move to the Poconos has been temporarily suspended, efforts to improve the condo sale are in the works. Had the condo been under contract, the chance we would have had a single family home would have been greatly improved. The house we put a bid on sold for the price we offered.
Preparations for July 3rd worship with communion are underway, hopefully I will soon have a printout of needed material so worship can be planned. That same weekend our, renewed after Covid, strawberry shortcake sale will occur. Need to help with that.
So glad I read earlier posts from NEM yesterday and replied. You are in my prayers. God is with you.
Thank You, Lord.
Reaching out to send a card, email or text to encourage someone else. Reading these emails.
Welcome Joan. That is wonderful, I agree that encouraging others often encourages both the giver and the recipient.
Prayer, reading the Bible and NEM, reaching out to other believers.
Megan and I had an interesting day and night and morning with h. He had an eye doctor appointment very early this morning and that put him in a state of agitation. He spent last evening worried about getting a shower and preparing his necessary items for his morning routine. Then he spent the entire night awake and pacing about the house constantly asking Megan questions and for help. Then at 2:00 am he started knocking on my door because Megan went to bed around 1:00 am. I told him to go to bed and of course he did not and it all started again this morning until he left. But he is back already and it is still rather early in the morning. Any change to his normal routine throws him into a frenzy because of his impaired mentl abilities.
Prayers for Ally and David, for their health and for disability benefits to be approved. Prayers for April and her loved one, for moments of joy together. Prayers for Jill and her family as they enjoy one another’s company. Prayers for Lou and her family and for a prompt doctor’s appointment. Prayers for Rick and Scott. Prayers for Robert and his church as they plan for their strawberry shortcake fundraiser and for him and Erich as they continues to improve the condo for sale.
Taking time to remember past discouragements, and what – or should I say Who – led me out of them and what was learned. Turning to Lamentations 3 and soaking in the second half of it. Always, always, always getting to a point of praise and gratitude.
Got new tires put on this afternoon. While that was happening, my friend picked me up and we went to her favorite sushi restaurant and got a late lunch. Ran a few errands and then back to pick up my car.
Thinking about a bike ride this evening after dinner. A gorgeous day here with minimal humidity.
Praying the Psalms is my go-to when I’m down or discouraged. Psalm 40 is a one which comforts me. I also have some scriptures written in a little index card notebook which I read through and ponder. I pray Romans 8:26. Sometimes I phone a friend.
I’m thankful the temps have not been so hot today. Only 97F as opposed to 104, like yesterday. Still hot, but AC in our house works more efficiently.
Robert, I am heart sick over the UMC split. Praying that we find a way through this. Prayers continue for your local church. Julie, prayers for you and Megan as you manage with H. Jill, prayers for your strengthening bond with your sister. Good new about little Roger’s improving health. May he continue to progress. April, prayers continue as you care for your loved one. Lou, prayers for your health and your children. Rick and Scott, prayers for your relationship. May your love for each other grow even stronger. Josn, welcome. This is a wonderful group. Thanks to all for your continued prayers for David and me. Love to all.
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