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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

OUR GOD is a God of relationship, who invites us into God’s family. When our families get along, we see a beautiful reflection of God’s love – family members who serve, listen, communicate clearly, and set healthy boundaries; who bear with one another and forgive as God forgives them (Colossians 3:13). When family members don’t get along, we may try to be a peacemaker, but sometimes the fights in our families are bigger than we can fix on our own.

Even with God’s help, we can’t make our relatives get along. We can be responsible only for our own thoughts, words, and behavior. We can forgive and let people know when they have hurt us. We can try not to hurt our family and ask for forgiveness when we do. But we can’t fix the problems between our family members. We can’t save them from addiction abuse, or other issues that often trigger arguments. Watching family members fight can be painful, but we believe in a God of never-ending love who invites us into a family of love.

God never gives up on us or on our families. God fights for us even while our family members are fighting. That is good news!
—Katie Mason Daley [Saint Paul, Minnesota]


devozine, March/April 2018

From page 7 of devozine, the devotional lifestyle magazine for teens, March/April 2018. Copyright © 2018 by The Upper Room. All rights reserved. Used by permission. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

Where do you see your faith at work within your family and relationships? Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

John 10:11, NRSV

This Week: pray for your neighbor. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.

Did You Know?

Help the middle schoolers in your church experience God’s love, empower your high schoolers in leadership, and engage every generation in youth ministry. Learn more at Discovery.UpperRoom.org.

This week we remember: Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz (April 17).

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

16 Comments

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted April 22, 2018 1:01 am

    I trust that God is working in our families.

    May we be united, forgiving and loving one another unconditionally

    Blessings to all and have a happy Sundsy!

  • robert moeller Posted April 22, 2018 5:46 am

    I hang on, cling to faith in God. My son tries to convince me that my faith is based on nothing real. I do what I do because of my faith in God.

    Despite an early start to the day with Pearl getting us up very early, the rest of the day went well. There was a positive job interview, Erich will be hearing again soon. The prospect for the future looks better. Thank You, Lord.
    Thank you all who have prayed for us.

    We may have a second day of sunshine in a row.

    Have a blessed Sunday,

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted April 22, 2018 6:52 am

      Robert, glad to hear that Erich had a positive job interview and the day went well for you

      Blessings

      • robert moeller Posted April 22, 2018 7:21 am

        Thank you Mary! Lots to be thankful for. Church today.

  • Jill Posted April 22, 2018 6:14 am

    Today, my sister, her husband and I will gather at mom and dad’s to celebrate my mom’s 82nd birthday. Tomorrow she will begin chemo. Today is likely going to be charged with much emotion. I have been sitting here praying for today – that each of us would have an extra measure of grace for ourselves as well as to extend to each other. I am also pleading with God for mercy for my mom. I had a difficult time sleeping last night – it really hit me – I am scared for mom. For the side effects she may have to endure and for how that will impact her mentally and emotionally. I trust and I know this is all in God’s hands – and yet I feel like this is quite a big ask – for my 82 year old mother to endure this aggressive chemo regimen.
    Father – soften my mother’s heart. May we all stand bravely with her, supporting her, loving her.
    Father – help me to be mindful each moment of today to glorify You in interactions.

    • robert moeller Posted April 22, 2018 7:18 am

      It’s a blessing to be able to celebrate your Mom’s birthday and have a family gathering. It’s also tough to do this the day before chemo starts. Heartfelt prayers for all of you, especially your Mom and Dad, but all of you are involved. God be with you all, this and every day. In Jesus’ name I pray.
      Amen.

      • Connie Posted April 22, 2018 7:59 am

        Happy Birthday to your Mom, Jill. May she have many more-ones that are “quality” ones, filled with good health and happiness.

        • Andrea Posted April 22, 2018 3:05 pm

          Prayers for you, your mother, father and sister, Jill. I hope the celebration of your mother’s birthday today goes well, and I will certainly be praying for her tomorrow. Prayers too for you and your sister to work together amicably in supporting your parents. Blessings.

    • Andrea Posted April 22, 2018 3:41 pm

      Prayers for you, your mother, father and sister, Jill. I hope the celebration of your mother’s birthday today goes well, and I will certainly be praying for her tomorrow. Prayers too for you and your sister to work together amicably in supporting your parents. Blessings.
      (This first got posted as a reply to Connie…so am re-posting it.)

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted April 22, 2018 6:48 am

    Jill, keeping you and your family in prayer

    May your mum have a blessed birthday

    Blessings

  • Julie Posted April 22, 2018 7:28 am

    Jill, I had already started praying your exact words. I have been praying that your mother not experience severe chemo side effects and that the chemo treatment be effective and for your mother to remain positive. I also pray for you and your sister and father. God bless and be with you all as you move forward into unchartered territory.
    Mary, so glad to see your comments. Missed you. Prayers continue for you and your parents. Your posts are so uplifting.
    Robert, prayers for succss for Erich. I, too, am a science oriented person (degrees in both physics and nuclear engineering) and still can and do fully believe. There have been archeological discoveries of items and places that corroborate stories of the Bible. But also, there are some things that even science cannot explain. We know these things occur or exist but cannot explain or see. Neutrinos are a good example. But, I think there are some things one must take be faith. We cannot see love, but know it when we feel it or receive it. God is love personified.
    Blessings aand prayers for and thanks to all of the UR family
    Ideals are like stars; you will not succeed in touching them with your hands. But like the seafaring man on the desert of waters, you choose them as your guides, and following them you will reach your destiny.
    Carl Schurz

    • robert moeller Posted April 22, 2018 7:44 am

      Thanks for your prayers for Gloria, Larry, Jill, and Becky Most welcome and needed. Thank you too for your prayers for Erich and me. Your post is helpful to me. I know there are scientists like you who believe and yes, not everything can be proven by science. I am also thankful for that Carl Schurz quote.
      Blessings and prayers for you, your hands and foot, and most of all your well being.

      • Julie Posted April 22, 2018 8:54 am

        Thank you, Robert. Your wise counsel is most appreciated. Unfortunately, those closest to us are often the ones who take us for granted. Have a blessed day.

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted April 23, 2018 8:52 am

      Thanks Julie for your kind comments

      Blessings to you and may all be well with you and your family

  • Andrea Posted April 22, 2018 3:40 pm

    I share my beliefs but I do not try to persuade someone to believe as I believe or to adopt my values. I feel the best I can do is to live out my beliefs and have that speak for me. Often I fall down, I am human, but with God’s help I get back up, and that is the example I give to my daughter.

    I think that “judge not, that ye be not judged” is applicable. Acquiring true faith may be a life-long journey and it cannot be forced. Some people have been very hurt in their religious family, and/or by their church or pastor.

    I do not believe in a punitive God. I believe God is Love.

    With family members, I think kindness is important, and forgiveness too, but not to the point of allowing abusive behavior so that one’s own well-being is eclipsed. Not everyone has a family in which family members are capable of being supportive and trustworthy. In some dysfunctional families, good boundaries and a healthy distance are necessary. In such cases, offering prayers for family members is perhaps the best one can do, or perhaps meeting occasionally, or even just leaving the door a bit open – but also keeping eyes wide open.

    I am aware that Marcy has not posted for quite a long time and fear something may have happened to her. A prayer for Marcy, that she be held in God’s Everlasting Arms.

    Wishing all a blessed week ahead. Spring seems to have arrived in the upper midwest, after two big snowstorms last week. Fingers crossed.

    • robert moeller Posted April 23, 2018 4:09 am

      Andrea, I’m very much in agreement with your post.

      Yes, prayers for Marcy’s well being. Miss her very personal posts to each of us.

      I am concerned for Anneliese too, I know she was having problems with her computer, but she also has a a variety of serious health problems. There is the possibility she could be in the hospital. Prayers that she is ok.

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