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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

WHAT IS THE Christian spiritual life? It is simply life lived in Christ—that is, a life where Christ rather than our own self-image constitutes the center of who we are. It is a Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, Spirit-empowered life like the one Jesus embodied with every fiber of his being.

Empty of self-importance and self-interest, human life is free to be what God intended: holy, humble, joyfully obedient, radiating the power of love. Paul describes this state of being succinctly in Galatians 2:20: “It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me.” This, at least, is what a mature Christian life looks like. Most of us feel quite acutely how far we fall short of such spiritual maturity. while it offers a beautiful vision of human capacity and a noble goal, it may seem a daunting, if not impossible, ideal.

That is why we need to begin with grace. The spiritual life is not even remotely possible for us apart from God’s grace. And grace is precisely what God gives to us in Christ Jesus.

– Rueben P. Job and Marjorie J. Thompson
Embracing the Journey: The Way of Christ

From “Embracing the Journey: The Way of Christ” by Rueben P. Job and Marjorie J. Thompson, Part 1 in Companions in Christ Participant’s Book. Copyright © 2001 by Upper Room Books. All rights reserved. Used by permission. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

How do you define the spiritual life? Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan lies slain upon your high places.

2 Samuel 1:25, NRSV

This Week: pray a prayer of praise every day this week. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.

Did You Know?

In need of prayer? The Upper Room Living Prayer Center is a 7-day-a-week intercessory prayer ministry staffed by trained volunteers. Call 1-800-251-2468 or visit The Living Prayer Center website.

This week we remember: Irenaeus (June 28).

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

Sponsored by Upper Room Ministries ®. Copyright © 2018 | PO Box 340004 | Nashville, TN 37203-0004 | USA

5 Comments

  • Julie Posted June 26, 2018 2:56 pm

    Prayers and blessings for and thank you to all of the UR family
    Please continue to pray for my daughter and me we live in constant fear
    I know the Bible states that God is always with us but it adds that this is so especially during difficult times
    Job went through much hardship and I fear that is my future as well

  • robert moeller Posted June 26, 2018 3:05 pm

    Better late than not at all. Thank You, Lord, today’s reflection is finally here an 3:50 pm EDT. Yes, this is a very meaning full reflection.

    For me the spiritual life begins when the sincere commitment is made and kept to put God first, accept Jesus precious gifts of love, mercy, grace, and hope, and thus embody Jesus within in me. I’m washed at baptism, an through Communion renewed by the blood and body of Christ. The Holy Spirit comes to help me as well. Inspired by Christ and the Holy Spirit I strive as best I can humanly to do God’s will, but as a human I need grace and mercy to over come my frailty. Empowered by Christ and the Holy Spirit can do whatever God wants me to do. On my own I can not.

    I am very thankful for today and today’s events. God knows what happened and I am very thankful for it. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. That is not a trite phrase, but a very strong truth.

    Lord, continue to work in me that I may be who you intended me to be. Not sure what the outcome will be, but I won’t forget this day. Days are precious, each one is a new opportunity to improve, get and be better. Thank You, Lord.

    Prayers for all the UR family, the Lord will provided for your needs. Blessings to each of you and thank you all for your prayers, thoughts, concern, and support. God’s peace be with you!

  • Andrea Posted June 26, 2018 3:41 pm

    I praise You, God, for Your mercy. I pray for your mercy in my life and for UR friends who are struggling with challenges and crises. Jesus said, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me.” Gracious God, how difficult it is to quiet our fears when turmoil and change surrounds us. Shepherd us through the valley of the shadow of death, I pray. May we walk the unknown path ahead knowing you are at our side through the darkest moments, knowing Your promise that You will never leave nor forsake us.

    Blessings, all.

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted June 30, 2018 3:00 am

    I praise you God for the wonderful hari raya feast organised for the staff to enjoy

    Blessings to all and have a great weekend!

    • robert moeller Posted June 30, 2018 2:55 pm

      Mary, what is a hari raya feast? I pray it goes well for you.

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