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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

Eve challenges us to look at where we have come from and to look again. She beckons us to consider how we tell our stories, how we participate in the making of them and the telling of them. Her story prompts us to reconsider our own stories, to question what we think we know about their contours and their meanings.

This is a story of original hunger. It invites us to trace the lines of our longings and where they have led us. It calls us to reckon with the ways we have hidden ourselves from the Holy and from one another. And in beckoning us to look back, it offers us the sustenance that will help us create the path ahead.

—Jan L. Richardson, In the Sanctuary of Women: A Companion for Reflection and Prayer (Upper Room Books, 2010)

Today’s Question

When you trace the lines of your longings, where do they lead? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

—Psalm 37:4 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Lord, guide me to reflect on—and learn from—the decisions I made yesterday so that they might reshape the longings I have for tomorrow.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

The featured book this week, In the Sanctuary of Women, highlights six women from around the world and across the centuries, inviting us to discover what their lives tell us about God. Come spend some time in the sanctuary of women, an often-ignored space in Jewish and Christian history. Read more.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

Save 45% and receive free shipping on the regular and enlarged-print editions of Disciplines 2021 with the promo code DISC45. Offer good while supplies last.

4 Comments

  • Julie Posted July 26, 2021 8:46 am

    Ah, the not so coveted first responder. I may have to buy this book (though I could build a house with all the books I have and still need to read). I have been doing exactly what this questions asks of us. I have examined my family of origin to decipher my subsequent decisions. The man who contributed his sperm basically ended his relationship with me there. He was married to my mother in name only and I rarely saw him and when I did he was rarely sober. So my longings for his love and attention have spurred my decisions regarding marriage. This is my slightly informed (Masters of Social Work) interpretation.
    Yesterday’s church service was wonderful. We had Christmas service, complete with a contata in a Celtic format. There was an instrumental quartet (cello, violin, flute, percussion) that accompanied the choir. A special guest singer who opened and closed the service. A professional opera singer! I was left in tears and shaking each time she sang. There was a light brunch afterward and both the service and the following fellowship time were well attended. I stayed to help cleanup.
    Prayers for Ally and David, God know their needs and struggles, may he embrace them and guide them through this latest dark forest to “the better place” he has for them. May He lessen their pain and anxiety and soothe their wounds and souls. Prayers for safe travel for Lou and Robert. Prayers that Larry continues to improve. Jill, they are calling for a high of 91 on Tuesday…fyi for golfing deciaions. Prayers for Marti and her crew. Thank you for your prayers and God bless all who visit here today.

  • Ally Posted July 26, 2021 9:48 am

    Good morning all, like most humans, I look back on my life, seeing many things I wish I had done differently. My longing for love led me down some paths better left un-traveled. God’s kindness pulled me out of those pits, as the Psalmist testified in Psalm 40, giving me a new song to sing. My longings led down some good paths as well, such as my career and dear friends. They also led me to David.
    David is doing well physically. I’m having issues with GI and lack of energy. We both struggle with depression due to finances. Pray for us as we explore ways out. Continue to pray for my job search. With Delta variant out there, I’m hesitant to work among people. Pray for opportunities for work from home.
    Jill, prayers as you trace your longings. The church service sounds beautiful. Thanks so much for praying for David and me. Prayers for Jill and Larry, for Lou, Robert, and other UR family. Praying we stay safe and that more folks will see the need for vaccination. Everyone, stay hydrated in this heat. Blessings to all.

  • robert moeller Posted July 26, 2021 1:18 pm

    My longings stretch over generations to my ancestral homes (Germany, Scotland) and a very favorite country (Korea). Thankful that I have been able to visit all three, gather genealogical information, and visit relatives, friends.
    Am delighted Julie to read about your church, worship, music, and what you did. This past Sunday was so busy I missed ZOOM worship. Hope to make it there this Sunday. I am still reading the Bible, now in the early chapters of Isaiah. There are verses we read during Advent and Christmas there.
    Prayers for Anneliese with Lymes disease and thyroid problems as well as recovering from serious storm/flooding damage. She’s waiting for FEMA help, insurance says it’s an act of God. Prayers too for Erich who wants to move out. I want him to be able to stand on his own, that’s a good thing, doing so now he’s at rock bottom. Prayers for Ally & David, Julie and Megan, Jill, Larry, and Becky, Lou, her children, and family., that the unvaccinated would see the light and get the shots, people would be careful in the heat and humidity. Good health, well-being, stability, safety, and faith in God for all. Thank You, Lord.

  • Jill Posted July 26, 2021 6:32 pm

    Interesting – this question causes me to reflect on my current and future longings, not longings of the past. I wonder what that means regarding my past. I suppose big picture, especially once I attained a teaching job – I just went about life and didn’t have longings. I certainly never longed for a husband or a family – was/am very independent and content with solitude. I would say my current and future longings are what I have described here before – to honor dad in his final years and to go into some type of encouragement/help of either cancer support or grieving support. This certainly blossomed from my mom’s struggles. I long to live well, to finish well, to be in tune with the Holy Spirit and His direction.
    Julie – it is such wonderful news to hear of the goodness of your time at church yesterday. I am just quite thrilled for this. May this opportunity continue to expand for you.
    Ally – praying for you and David, for financial concerns, for stability in health.
    Yes, it is to be 89 here tomorrow. I have tried to talk dad out of golfing tomorrow – as we will be out in the heat of the day, since I will be at school in the morning. He won’t hear of it. He says we will quit if it gets too hot. Becky and I continue to have conversations about how to temper his “on-the-go-ness”. We are grateful that he is so healthy and has the desire and ability to be up and about. But, goodness, the man has “ants in his pants”! I will try to get him to stay hydrated. It is a very fine line – as mother nagged. I try to encourage without crossing the line.
    Becky and I had a nice afternoon. She picked up a pizza and met me at my house when I finished up school. We ate, played a few games of Bananagrams (a word game, somewhat similar to Scrabble, but very fast paced) and then headed out for a bike ride. It was very warm today, but while riding – the movement of air doesn’t make it seem as hot as it is.
    Robert – may blessings continue to abound during your visit.

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