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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

I am human and make mistakes often, but I have been given a gift that grounds me and humbles me every day: peace. This gift allows me to value and honor my body, including its imperfections. This gift also creates in me longing to listen for God with each breath I take and to invite you to do the same.

In scripture, as with my story, the word peace is often considered a gift. It is interpreted with various meanings including “wholeness” and “well-being.” Choose to explore God’s gift of peace today. A crisis is not required to learn how to listen for God’s activity in and around you, to use your breath and body, and to recognize God’s Spirit dwelling in you.

—Whitney R. Simpson, Holy Listening with Breath, Body, and the Spirit (Upper Room Books, 2016)

Today’s Question

Can you spare two minutes? Pause. Feel your lungs rise and fall with each breath. Use the words from this week’s breath prayer to help you focus. Repeat for a full two minutes. When your mind strays, calmly refocus on your breath. After the two minutes, consider how this exercise felt. Was it difficult? How might it enhance your time with God each day? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
—Philippians 4:7 (NRSV)

Breath Prayer for the Week

Inhale: Jesus
Exhale: Give me peace.
—Whitney R. Simpson, Holy Listening with Breath, Body, and the Spirit
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

As the war in Ukraine continues, we invite you to join us for a special Prayer Summit in The Upper Room Chapel on May 25, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. (CDT). We will hear firsthand stories from Ukrainians and from those serving Ukrainian refugees. Together, we continue to pray for peace and an end to violence in Ukraine and around the world. Please plan to join us on Facebook Live and YouTube.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

2 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted May 22, 2022 5:35 am

    No, this wasn’t hard, I did have other thoughts a couple times and they disrupted the pattern, thankfully not for long. Yes it was helpful, I need this with the stress that selling the condo is causing. Erich is having a harder time with it, wants it sold in the blink of an eye, that’s unrealistic. The market has made a big adjustment and we feel the price needs to be adjusted even though we have many views and saves. Have talked with the realtor, should decide on Monday. The warmer weather has not been as bad as expected, haven’t used our AC!
    Church this morning. Cool at the moment. High Monday projected to be in the low 70s. Blessings on this next to the last Sunday of May. Thank You, Lord.

  • Jill Posted May 22, 2022 4:51 pm

    I have tried “timing” my time in prayer…keep praying until the timer dings. I have never found this to be a satisfactory experience. I feel like somewhere in the middle is a happy medium…no obligatory amount of time at one end of the spectrum…mind roaming everywhere but God on the other end. Stillness, presence, clarity of mind. Each day, each time is a new effort.
    A good afternoon with family. Dad sure enjoys being with others, he is so social. And I appreciate the attention and conversation his grandchildren give him. Was damp and cooler, so the gathering was inside. But – still an enjoyable time.
    The sun has broken out – so I think I will spend a little time in my flowerbeds before calling it an evening.
    Church and worship time this morning was wonderful. Grateful for gifted singers and musicians, and well as speakers of truth and the Word. It is good to be in the house of the Lord.
    May the week ahead hold holy moments, times of reflection and gratitude. May we each blossom and share fruit with those in our paths this week.

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