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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

Note: This week’s New Every Morning reflections are structured differently to follow the format of our featured title, Rally: Communal Prayers for Lovers of Jesus and Justice, which addresses issues of social justice through reflection and over 50 call-and-response prayers known as litanies.

This is a litany for the night. It is a prayer for those who choose to gather together after the heavy work is done or when it is paused. It is a litany for ministers, activists, nonprofit workers, and children of God in all walks of life who are laboring and resting in justice as it is in heaven.

—Gary Francis with Britney Winn Lee, Rally: Communal Prayers for Lovers of Jesus and Justice (Upper Room Books, 2020)

Today’s Question

When you complete or pause the heavy work of the day, what spiritual practices replenish your soul? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

I will satisfy the weary,
and all who are faint I will replenish.

—Jeremiah 31:25 (NRSV)

Today’s Litany

ONE: We say today:
ALL: You are Lord.
ONE: Who is Lord?
ALL: God is Lord of all. There is none like you. To you only do we reserve
this name. We proclaim that you alone have complete authority over
our lives. We submit to your supreme control. We submit to your
will. We walk in your way. We acknowledge you as our source of life,
breath, purpose, and love.

ONE: Lord, Lord.
ALL: We call your name: Lord, Lord.

Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

The final litany from Rally was written by Britney Winn Lee in the beginning days of the global pandemic. This prayer reminds us that hope endures; goodness prevails; people surprise us; and love cannot, has not, will not fail. Watch and listen.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

3 Comments

  • Julie Posted May 16, 2021 7:56 am

    I prat each night as I lay in bed. After I pray I confess my sins and ask forgiveness and lastly give thanks for the blessings of the day.
    Today I am alone with h while Megan is with her father. This week she and I meet with the lawyer to revue the case before the court proceeding to just have both lawyers submit evidence and discuss people involved in the hearing itself.
    Prayers for Robert and Erich and their relationship. Prayers for Ally’s and David’s health. Prayers for Jill as she recovers from her shots. I know the shingles shot also gave me some time to recover from and my arm was very sore, swollen and red. I took an ice pack with me for the second shot and it helped. Prayers for safe travel for Lou. Prayers for all of the UR.

  • Jill Posted May 16, 2021 10:43 am

    It is a struggle for me to have meaningful, meditative spiritual practices at the end of the work day, especially in solitude. Wednesday evening small groups – I am more focused when it is in person, and hope that will be the case come this Fall. My church is doing a once a month book study this summer and it begins this Wednesday. I signed up for the group which will be meeting outside.
    Feeling much more like myself today, but haven’t done anything significant yet. I didn’t run and I watched church on-line. I am going to pick up a pizza and head to my dad’s. After eating, we will plant the flowers in the back. I told him we could take a walk after that, if my energy is good.
    Windows are open and Roger goes from one to the next. Lovely to have the sounds and smells of spring running through the house.

  • robert moeller Posted May 16, 2021 12:10 pm

    I’m like Jill, at the end of the day, which comes much earlier than it used to mostly because I’m up at odd hours in the night and start the day very early, I say, “Thank You, Lord” and am off to sleep. The last few days have been tough for Erich, sadly the perception he has of me because of decisions that were made. I’m no longer in relationships where such decisions would be made. He is wary that they could happen in the future. I have promised him that they won’t. Progress preparing for the hot and humid days of summer. Now have an AC in the living room, bedroom ACs are at the ready, and the curtain that should keep the living room cool is being sewn.` Wonderful worship today, many hymns resonated with me, had a tailgate meeting afterwards in the church parking lot. Prayers for Julie’s upcoming court date, her safety, and well-being; Jill’s recovery from the aftereffects of shots, school, Dad, and sports; Lou’s travels and children; the health and welfare of Marcy; David’s health and Ally’s job posibilities. Easter tide ended today, next Sunday is Pentecost. More meetings over the next two days. Have prep to do for them. Many blessings. Thank You.Lord.

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