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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

From page 17 of Holy Listening with Breath, Body, and the Spirit by Whitney R. Simpson. Copyright © 2016 by The Upper Room. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

Can you spare 2 minutes? Pause; feel your lungs rise and fall with each breath. Use the words from this week’s prayer to help you focus. Repeat this for a full two minutes. When your mind strays, simply and calmly refocus on your breath. After the two minutes, pay attention to how this felt. Was it difficult? Is this exercise something that would enhance your time with God each day? Share your thoughts.

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

Prayer for the Week

Inhale: Jesus
Exhale: Give me peace.
(A “breath prayer” from author Whitney Simpson). Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.

Something More

Invite young adults in your community to explore faith through community, conversation, and action at a Journey to the Table event. Learn more.

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

3 Comments

  • Jill Posted June 23, 2019 7:09 am

    I think this exercise would be more useful to me to use throughout the day, especially a school day, when I need to re-focus. As part of my morning time – I am not sure. Perhaps if really struggling to keep my mind centered, it would be useful.
    Another beautiful day yesterday – took multiple walks, one by myself at a park near my house and two with a friend and her dog. One before dinner and one after. It is so nice to settle back into some normalcy, in the luxury of summer time. Not summertime, but summer time. Such an expanse of time for me in the summer, I am very fortunate. She commented, while she was grilling, that I hadn’t been over for dinner for 4 months. And as I reflected on that – so true – for mom was hospitalized the first week of February.
    Things continue to be magnified. The good things are so very good and emotional things continue to bring tears quickly. Not necessarily sadness, but things which stir my heart. It can be tiring, but I am trying to not rush things – and just allow these experiences to run their course.
    Looking forward to church today – haven’t been to “my” church for several weeks now, with travelling and cancer support groups. Our pastor’s father passed this week and his funeral is this afternoon. The pastor’s sister is one of my former student athletes – and it has been nice re-uniting with her at the church. She came to mom’s calling hours – which was a blessing to me. I hope to comfort her this afternoon.

  • Patricia Simon Posted June 23, 2019 8:51 am

    I’ve actually been practicing this and it really helps me with my anxiety issues.

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted June 24, 2019 3:05 am

    Thank you God for the gift of peace!

    Blessings to all!

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