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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.

 

Words of Hope During COVID-19

Rev. Rachel Gilmore, on staff at Discipleship Ministries of the United Methodist Church, reports on how the COVID quarantine has offered her family creative opportunities to slow down, reconnect with God, and deepen their relationships with each other.

 

Today’s Reflection

Those who practice the grace-full art of forgiveness know increasing joy and freedom in their relationships. Forgiveness is one of the eminent signs of the vitality of the Holy Spirit in our midst. The Spirit ever plays the flute within, inviting us to dance to its tune. The Spirit keeps nudging the image of God hid deep in the soul, reshaping it to look more like the one who fashioned it. The Spirit breathes possibility into impossibility and authorizes us to forgive as God forgives.

—Marjorie J. Thompson, Companions in Christ: The Way of Forgiveness (Upper Room Books, 2002)

Today’s Question

How has the Holy Spirit enabled you to practice forgiveness? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
—2 Corinthians 3:17 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace, your love, and your forgiveness.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

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Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

4 Comments

  • Jill Posted May 1, 2020 6:54 am

    The Holy Spirit does not rest – always pushing us on, making us aware of where forgiveness is needed – indeed, required. I was able to see the deep, bitter root of unforgiveness in my mother. It surely hurt her so much more than the other person. Memories still remain past forgiveness, but God’s grace is greater.
    Ally – thank you for your story yesterday regarding the hurtful peer from your childhood. Wise, wise words from your mother.
    The pictures on Facebook from the drive-by birthday celebration were truly heart-warming. Jim was so blessed by it. Good to see smiles on peoples’ faces as they rolled down their windows and wished Jim birthday greetings. Dad also had a tele-conference with a doctor yesterday and while his shoulder is still bothering him some, the doctor told him to go ahead and try golfing. So, if the weather cooperates on Sunday, we will give it a go.

  • Julie Posted May 1, 2020 8:39 am

    The vitality of the Holy Spirit is necessary in order to lead us through the painful work of forgiveness. Without some presence that is vibrant enough to push us to deal with the hurt that another inflicted we would never seek to forgive.
    Prayers for Ally and David. I feel honored and humbled that you, Ally, not only have allowed us into the struggle you and David are going through but now also have shared a painful memory. Thank you. Prayers for David, may his rehab get easier and may he regaiin all functions with no lasting effects.
    Prayers for Jill and Larry. How wonderful that so many could come together, even in this time of social restriction, to celebrat and give and receive joy. Prayers that you and Larry can enjoy golf on Sunday.
    Prayers for Robert, his family and friends, may he continue to remainsafe and well and isolated.
    Prayers for Andrea, April, BJ, Lou and Rick and their families, mmay all be safe and healthy.
    I tried calling the eye doctor but no answer. Will try again today. H is home and meandering about aimlessly. This isolation has made him at times surely (put mildly) and morose.
    Prayers and thank you and stay safe and healthy dear UR

  • Ally Posted May 1, 2020 8:55 am

    It is only through the Spirit that I am able to do it at all. It should not be hard to forgive, as forgiveness brings tremendous peace. Unfortunately, our humanness tends to encourage us to nurture our hurts and resentment. There have been times I have lain awake at night ruminating over old wounds that I have not allowed to heal. Lord, help me to forgive when by my own power I cannot.
    I had a very encouraging conversation with the nursing director at the rehab facility yesterday . She went over David’s chart with me and told me what his progress notes say. He is working very hard. Progress is rather slow due to the nature of the virus, though he is negative for it now. This thing wipes the body out due to antibodies working overtime and damaging healthy tissue in efforts to combat something they don’t recognize. It just takes time to overcome. David has been approved by medicare for 17 days of therapy in house and then home health will take over. I feel he needs the full 21 days Medicare will pay for. Today I will call his rehab case mgr. to see what we need to get him approved for the extra days. Please pray for this process as well David’s continued healing.
    Julie and Jill, your words of encouragement truly bless my heart. It was a painful memory that I shared. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, I was able to let it go and have empathy for my classmate and joy at the contributions she made as a teacher of special needs children as an adult. I am sad that she could not see her worth and beauty in Christ, who loved her as His child. I am praising God for the joys He is bringing us in these crazy times. Be blessed, everyone!

  • robert moeller Posted August 19, 2022 6:14 am

    Words, posts from two years ago! Certainly know the writers, understand the gist of their messages, but there are missing details that put a haze on them.
    A new and tougher question for today. I think I’m not so aware of the Holy Spirit, believe it is at work, has guided, nudged, directed me.
    Next to buy the books needed for the class three of us at church are taking to help bolster the worship team ministry. Modern technology has the class online, very helpful since it is coming from out of state.
    New glasses in the works after my eye exam yesterday. Taking special eye focused vitamins to help with potential macular degeneration. Getting old if I’m not already there!
    My prayers, hopes, and blessings for NEM continue! Pray without ceasing! Thank You, Lord!

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