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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

There is space for the love of God to fill me when I open up. I can love when I provide space for divine love to fill me. Instead of closing down, I open up to the presence of the One who loves me and everyone else. Empty lungs want air. A hungry and thirsty body calls for food and drink. The seeking soul opens to our Maker, Lover, and Indwelling Spirit. The deep longing within wants to be united with the Beloved.

—J. David Muyskens, Sacred Breath: 40 Days of Centering Prayer (Upper Room Books, 2010)

Today’s Question

How can you make space for the love of your Maker? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them.
—1 John 4:16 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Pause to breathe deeply. Fill your lungs with fresh air. Hold that breath briefly. Then release the air you are holding, ridding yourself of the old and making space for the new. And as you breathe, rejoice in the gift of life. Let the rise and fall of your lungs be a celebration of the amazing gift of being alive!
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

For too long Lent has been thought of as a season of self-sacrifice and discipline, but author Max O. Vincent reminds us to approach Easter with JOY in his book Because of This I Rejoice: Reading Philippians During Lent. Use promo code EVERY15 to receive a 15% discount when purchasing this title from The Upper Room online store. Promotion ends February 28, 2021.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

4 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted January 29, 2021 5:26 am

    Trust and obey, confess, repent, and forgive, then love as God loves.
    Vaccinations began here yesterday and all went smoothly, sure hope that continues. A clinic was set up in downtown North Conway. It’s where I’ll go when my turn comes. Prayers that those affected hardest, exposed the most get help first.
    The diner is done! It represents a dining car that served mostly between St.Albans VT and Montreal Quebec on the end of the Montrealer during the late 1940s, the early years of my life.
    Pearl has a new mouse toy and had a grand time with it last night.
    Hopeful our coldest weather of the winter brings much needed snow for skiing.
    Prayers, unceasing prayers, for the needs of people everywhere. Thankful for their joys. Thank You, Lord.

  • robert moeller Posted January 29, 2021 5:39 am

    The prayer needs on yesterday’s post are staggering and yet there are joys too. More vaccinations, people caring for others, and teaching safely from your office come to mind. It’s darkest before the dawn, I think we are at that point with this pandemic. Increased supply and use of the vaccine along with the CDC ‘s longstanding guidelines will make a difference. Thank You, Lord.

  • Julie Posted January 29, 2021 8:47 am

    I very much feel that my new practice of sitting quietly and breathing deeply has done the job of opening my heart and soul to our Father.
    Prayers for Robert as he awaits his turn to get the vaccine. May he remain healthy in the interim.
    Prayers for Ally and David as well as Rachel as all battle health issues as well as long days spent dealing with insurance companies, writing business plans and job hunting.
    Prayers for Jill and her students, may they soon join together in the school building and salvage the academic year, but only if doing so can be done safely.
    Prayers for Lou and may her free time soon fill with many new activities.
    Prayers for Marcy, may her new meds be allleviating her dire physical suffering.
    Prayers for Rick as he wanders anchorless, may he cling to our Lord.
    Ah, yes the sheer joy of our kitties with thier toys. Ours have so many that we keep quite a few in a basket that we had to put out of their reach as they would continue to take more out. They already have many scattered about the house!

  • Ally Posted January 29, 2021 12:37 pm

    The prayer exercises this week have helped me get rid of the junk so that I can make room for Creator’s love. Lord, I make space for Your love. Help me to find ways to express that love in these challenging times. Help me to pray without ceasing by listening for Your voice.
    Rachel is progressing, but dealing with nausea. Pray that eases up and that she remains encouraged. David has taken some falls, due to being unsteady on his feet (we feel this is a COVID after effect). I am encouraging him to let his doctor know to see what he suggests. For me, the job hunt continues.
    Robert, I’m glad to hear that the vaccine distribution seems to be going well. Good news to hear your diner is finished. Like you, I pray that though things seem bleak, we are seeing the beginning of the turnaround. Jill, praying for you and your students as you teach from your office. Lifting up everyone’s safety . Julie, like you theses exercises have helped me gain some peace a.dand to make room for God. I pray that all of us are more aware of the Lord’s presence today. Praying for Lou, that she finds meaningful, enjoyable activities that bring her joy. Lifting up Rick, that he finds ways to connect to Creator God and that God places humans in his path to help anchor and encourage him. Prayers for Marcy, that her meds work to bring healing and that she will feel our love in a tangible way. Liftin up all our pets and thanking God for the joy and comfort they bring. Praying that Georgia and all other States experiencing problems with vaccine availability with find rough places smoothed. I’m thankful that at least we have leaders who have a plan and will listen to those with knowledge of infectious disease, epidemiology, and virology. Lord in Your mercy, hear our prayers. Jesus, help. Amen.

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