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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

SUNRISE AND SUNSET mark opposite ends of each day, yet each equally inspires me. Daybreak and dusk. Young and old. By God’s design, each one mirrors its opposite in beauty. In the gentle light of dawn, I embrace God’s truth. Indeed, the sunset is just as magnificent as the sunrise. I do not have to fear the journey of aging. God will never leave me. Instead of being fearful, I can seek the beauty that comes at the end of each day just as I do at the beginning. I can find beauty in both beginnings and endings.

—Missy Buchanan
Beach Calling: A Devotional Journal for the Middle Years and Beyond

From page 58 of Beach Calling by Missy Buchanan. Copyright © 2019 by The Upper Room. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

Be intentional and watch the sun rise and/or set today.  Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.
—Psalm 113:3, NIV

Prayer for the Week

Like the waves of the ocean rolling onto the sand, may God’s glorious grace rush in to my heart and soul again and again. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.

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 July 5, 2019 5:50 am

    I love the sunrise at the beach. Especially during warmer months. There is something about the sound of it, which includes the birds, the non-rushedness of it, the humidity of the morning and the scent of salt air. I think of God preparing the gift of the day – and then ushering it in with His blessing. Having always “beached” in the Carolinas – it was a wonderful experience to be on the Gulf side of Florida with my folks the few years before mom became ill. I would join them there for an extended weekend in February – and the sunsets were exquisite.
    The sunrises that I am sometimes able to catch here at home while out running – they so often remind me of cotton candy colors. I am out at sunrise, but don’t see the sun rise, per se – due to the landscape where I live. But there is no doubt of the beauty of the sky during these few moments.

  • Lou Posted July 5, 2019 6:47 am

    When I was going though an especially “dark” time in my life I would wake early and go to the shores of Lake Michigan and walk the lakeside trail to see the sunrise. I did that daily for over a year – no matter the weather – the beauty of the lake and often the spectacular beauty of the sunrise made me very aware of God’s presence- I felt like I needed to see that amazing display which would assure me that He was close by. Now I live in a house where the sunset view is unobstructed and I get to witness that as well. And I know that no matter what I am going through – God is near.
    Peace to all who come here today.

  • Julie Posted July 5, 2019 8:11 am

    I would watch the sunrise when we vacationed at the beach, it was warm, humid and salty air changed the colors near the surface. I observe the sunrise every day as I exercise in the morning. The eliptical machine is in a room of windows and the sunrise plays out in front of me in all its colorful pageantry.
    Megan and I had a relaxing picnic yesterday in a local park. There were allstar baseball games being played nearby. The sounds reminded me of my time in youth as my brother played and my mother was head of the women’s auxiliary. I spent many summer days manning the concesion stand even though I was very young. Also, my hometown is the home of little league baseball. I heard a parent mention Williamsport and knew he had the little league world series as his goal.
    Prayers for Jill and her friend, may God give them both wisdom.
    Prayers for Lou and her family as they visit together.
    Prayers for Marcy, may she be well.
    Prayers for Mary and her family, may she be filled with joy.
    Prayers for Connie, may her hummers be many.
    Prayers for Robert and Erich, may they find all they seek in their new home.
    Prayers, blessings, warm hugs, and thank you dear UR family

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted July 5, 2019 8:44 am

      I saw sunset from a cruise before and it was beautiful. I watched the sun rise at the East coast beach when our youths had an all night cycling event. Sunrise and sunset reminds me of God’s goodness and faithfulness.

      Thank you God for sunrise and sunset. Thank you for your goodness and faithfulness reflected in your creation. You are awesome, God! You deserve all our praise!

      Blessings to all and have a great weekend!

  • Connie Posted July 5, 2019 8:36 am

    I try to get to the front picture window every day as the sun comes up over the trees. After it has fully risen, it is blinding to stare at. I call out to my daughter (now in heaven) to take my hand and join me.
    A quiet Fourth of July in our city. Clear skies, no rain.
    Thankful for a call from my Grandson. He is so sweet to me. We had sent him a card and a gift of money and he said “thanks for thinking of me’ and I said “I always think of you”.
    A new little Hummer came to drink today. He may be the baby from last year who was always with his “Mama”.
    Seems like Monday!
    Love to all.

  • robert moeller Posted July 5, 2019 10:53 am

    Easier to do both at this time of my life. I’m awake at both times. Not sure which one is more beautiful.

    Had a great 4th of July with two train rides, pulled pork sandwich, and two strawberry shortcakes, plus great fireworks.
    This morning there was breakfast with the pastor at Friendly’s.
    Staying cool in this heatwave, thankfully there is little humidity so far. Expect rain on the weekend.
    Getting settled, slowly but surely.

    Amen to the prayers submitted by dear UR family members. My long night last night is catching up to me. Even though I had breakfast I’m getting hungry again. Need to take my meds as well.

    There’s a spot here in Conway where many people stop to watch the sun set above the mountain tops. Seeing the sun come up and go down never gets old.

    God is with you. Thank You, Lord.

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