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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

Chemotherapy is over for me, at least for now. Hope is like a small shaft of light on the darkest night of the year. I begin thirty-six radiation sessions in the new year. In a remarkable pair of verses, Psalm 147:3-4 (NIV), God ministers to us with one hand and paints a heavenly tableau with the other: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.”

—Jan Woodard, Texting Through Cancer: Ordinary Moments of Community, Love, and Healing (Upper Room Books, 2021)

Today’s Question

How do you feel when you consider that the God who knows the stars by name also knows and cares for you? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Our Lord is great and so strong!
God’s knowledge can’t be grasped!

—Psalm 147:5, CEB

Prayer for the Week

For this week’s prayer, insert the name of someone facing cancer or other illness.

Loving Heavenly Father,
I place _______ into your loving care, and I pray that you will comfort his/her heart and bring peace and calm as he/she faces pain, worry, and fear. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

Take advantage of our Christmas in July special on select Advent resources using promo code CHR7. See here for details.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

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4 Comments

  • Julie Posted July 23, 2021 8:41 am

    Awestruck, humbled, inspired, seen, heard…cared for.
    Thank you Robert, your words, especially given that you are a man mean so much to me…more than you could ever know. God bless you.
    I am discovering and remembering more and more and Megan is helping with this. How he dictated EVERY aspect of everything I did or did not do. I believe he is also on the autism spectrum so for instance when we went on vacation we had to stay at the same hotel in each of the 2 locations we were allowed to travel to, Disney and Myrtle Beach We had to eat at the same places and go to the same venues. For instance in Myrtle Beach ther are hundreds of mini golf parks, but we were only allowed to go to the one we went to the first time we vacationed there. Ever, despite my begging for Megan’s sake (she was a child at the time).
    Prayers of thanks for Lou and Robert’s safe travel, may each continue to be safe as they visit and may the visits be rewarding for all parties. Prayers for Jill, Larry and Becky, that Larry’s sniffles are indeed allergies and that his health and fitness remain unshaken. Prayers for Ally, David and Marcy for improved health and finances. Prayers for Marti and her crew and their good work on our behalf. Thank you for your prayers and God bless all who come to this site.

  • robert moeller Posted July 23, 2021 11:47 am

    Not all men are ogres, that’s true for women too. The bad apples show up. make the news, do harm., and cause pain. Sometimes it is done unconsciously, sometimes with full intent. We all make mistakes, how we deal with is what really counts.
    Enjoying my visit with my granddaughters, Willa and Oona, and daughter, Jennifer, son-in-law, Chris. Lovely weather and morning activities. Getting settled.
    Thankful for a safe and good trip, Lou’s safe journey, news from the NEM community. Prayers for health, well-being, adequate finances, good legal work, job opportunities. My son , Erich,is home alone, with Pearl, can get around and has resources to take care of needs. Glad so many of your are vaccinated, prayers more will do their part by protecting both themselves and others.. Keep a good lookout on Larry, easy does it with golf and tennis. Thankful for Marti, the UP and NEM or we wouldn’t be posting here. Thank You, Lord.

  • robert moeller Posted July 23, 2021 11:50 am

    That God knows me before , during and after far better than anyone else is astounding and precious.. Thank You, Lord!

  • Jill Posted July 23, 2021 5:55 pm

    I feel held, known and lavished with love I cannot comprehend. Gratitude wells up.
    Last evening, just as my broccoli was finishing up in the microwave – dad called and said he had a fever of 101.7. So, dinner was left and I picked him up and we went to the ER. Extensive bloodwork, a Covid test, a chest xray and an ekg were performed. All results but the covid test were back within an hour, with no significant issues presenting. His pulse ox was tested after he got up and moving and was sufficient for him to be discharged. This morning he was feeling much worse, but encouraged by a negative covid test, but it did reveal he had rhinovirus – basically, the common cold. He sounded terrible and his cough had worsened. He asked me to bring him some cough medicine. He still has a fever over 101. He called midafternoon and asked me to bring him a sandwich from Arby’s. I also picked up a frappacino – he loves them – and he drank it all down while I sat there with him a few minutes. He sounded a bit better, not coughing as much.
    Being at the ER – the same one I had him at for his prostate issues and mom as well – many thoughts welled up – for both of us. His hearing remains an obstacle. The PA who treated him was a former student of mine – so I feel like we got extra special care.
    Of course golf was cancelled for today, which was ok with me. This week had been hectic and I am happy to be home today, reading – after last night was spent in the ER.
    Thank you for your concern and prayers for my dad. Hopefully he will turn the corner here in a day or two – but just needs to ride this out.
    Encouraged to hear of Robert’s good trip and time spent already with his daughter and grandchildren. May Julie grow stronger as she recognizes all she has endured. Praying that Lou’s visitation is going well.

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