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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

Each of us is unique. We’ve all heard that, and I absolutely believe it. Each of us reflects God in a way that no one else can. That’s why it’s so important that each of is free to be our true self, in order to reflect the aspects of God that only we embody.

—Mary Lou Redding, God Was with Me All Along: A Guide for Capturing Your Memories and Telling Your Story (Upper Room Books, 2021)

Today’s Question

What aspects of God do you best embody when you live as your true self? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

[O Lord,] it was you who formed my inward parts;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

—Psalm 139:13-14a, NRSV

Prayer for the Week

You are invited to replace the prayer below with one you recall from your own childhood.

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
Guide me safely through the night,
And wake me with the morning light.
Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

New Every Morning Readers,
The featured book this week, God Was with Me All Along, was written by Mary Lou Redding, who served as the editor of The Upper Room daily devotional guide for many years. We invite you to take advantage of a free 30-day trial subscription to the email edition of The Upper Room, the only daily devotional written entirely by its readers. To start your free trial, visit UpperRoom.org/welcome.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

4 Comments

  • Lou Posted March 8, 2021 8:27 am

    God is Love- and I try my best to show love to those I meet both in my work and in my life. I’m not always perfect but I strive to love others the way that God loves us.
    Warmer weather in the Midwest and my daffodils are poking up along the house although I have two feet of snow still in the yard. Spring is coming and it will feel good- it has been a rough winter and we all want to feel the sun.
    Love to everyone here at the UR – prayers for Jill as she continues an unbelievable job – thank you for your love of your students. Prayers for Julie as she works her way through the next phase of her life, prayers for Ally and David and their health struggles, prayers for April – your faithful posts encourage me always, prayers for Robert as we all wait to hear from him. Prayers for all who post or not- God loves you.

  • Julie Posted March 8, 2021 8:38 am

    This is something that I am trying to answer for myself. Now that h is not controlling every aspect of my life and my very being I am relearning to be … me. I need to renew my self as a person and a child of God. But I, like Lou, try to treat others with love and respect always. I KNOW the importance of kind words and compassion.
    Prayers for Lou and her daffodils, may both trhive in the warm Spring sunshine.
    Prayers for Ally and David as well as Lewis kitty. May all receive God’s healing and peace.
    Prayers for Jill and Larry, and I second Lou’s thanks to you for your superhuman job you have been doing and will continue to do for the love of your students.
    Prayers for April and her sage counsel and warm words.
    Prayers for Marcy as she continues to improve both physically and emotionally.
    Prayers for Robert, we love you and hope you are well.
    Prayers for all who visit this warm gatheriing of friends, posters and readers both. We and God loves you and honors you.

  • Jill Posted March 8, 2021 12:45 pm

    In my most Christ-like moments, I exhibit supreme patience and am tenderly compassionate. In the ordinary moment to moment aspects of my day, I strive to listen well, to speak clearly so as to be understood and to show respect. God is at work on my temperament, making me gradually more patient and less selfish.
    For me, it is a deep concern that we have not heard from Robert. Father – of course, You know his situation. I pray for Erich and his daughter, whose name escapes me at the moment. Father – thank You for his input here and that his absence is so significantly felt.
    Lou – I keep checking for crocus action under my mailbox. There are little green sproutings, but no signs yet of the beautiful crocus bloom. I am anxious to get out for a walk…I have one more class. The sun is out and it is supposed to be mild.
    Julie – may your authentic, compassionate self be experienced and appreciated by others, as you move forward from this traumatic period. May God continue to sustain you.

  • Ally Posted March 8, 2021 2:24 pm

    The psalmist says that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Each of us is a unique spirit. I admit I’m not sure in which way I am unique. My prayer is that I embody an aspect of love. May it be so, Lord. David reports that he is working hard in therapy. Today he worked on balance while standing, standing 25 minutes unassisted. Pray he continues to build stamina. Praise God for healing and progress. Kitty Lewis came home this morning. He is much better, but tired because he didn’t sleep much while at the vet. Vet thought he would recover better at home where all is familiar, including food. He is currently resting in a sunbeam. Ill offer him some food when he wakes. He is not100%, so prayers are appreciated. Spring is bursting out: daffodils blooming, cherry blossoms are spectacular, azaleas peeping out. Lou, glad spring is coming to your area. I know it is welcome after such a rough winter. Julie I know God is working on bringing out your try self. Its kind of like you’re goo in the cocoon . God is working on building your wings. When the time comes, you will emerge strong. Jill, prayers continue as you prepare to go back to the classroom. I echo your concern for Robert. I pray he is well and safe.

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