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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 primordial encounters with God precede our later articulation of what God means to us. Before we could use language, before we even knew what language was, a Loving Presence brought us into existence from our mother’s womb. Surrounded by petitions for divine aid, vows of praise, and poignantly expressed despair, the psalmist smuggles in this dash of retrospective awe when he says, “Since my mother bore me you have been my God.” The same is true for us. We can also retrieve these memories of God in our first moments, before our first moments, and use them as a defense against environmental and social harms, as a source of devotion that undergirds our connection to our Creator and to our self.

—Gabby Cudjoe-Wilkes and Andrew Wilkes, Psalms for Black Lives: Reflections for the Work of Liberation (Upper Room Books, 2022)

Today’s Question

When have you felt that God was far away from you? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

be strong, and let your heart take courage;
—Psalm 22:1, 19 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Gracious God of Liberation, free us
from our enemies. And when we are the enemies, transform
us from oppressing others into removing the yoke from their
necks and practicing freedom. In Christ’s name, Amen.
—Prayer from Psalms for Black Lives by Gabby Cudjoe-Wilkes and Andrew Wilkes.

Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

This week’s featured book, Psalms for Black Lives, is now available in audiobook. Listen, pray, and develop a justice imagination wherever you are. Learn more here.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

3 Comments

  • Ally Posted February 9, 2023 12:09 pm

    I have often felt that God was far away. And silent. In those times, I struggle to maintain a connection to God. I know those a the times when God’s grace sustains and holds me up. Hearing about what God is doing in the lives of others is a great encouragement.
    David continues to progress. Yesterday, he cleaned the kitchen. He still has moments of unsteadiness, so I help him with showers and occasionally with transferring from sitting to standing. He is making an effort to be more independent and thoughtful. We are pursuing trying to get some help from the VA and exploring what type of aid Medicare will cover. It would be great to have someone come and stay with David when o have to go out. Thanks to all for your prayers. We can feel them.

  • robert moeller Posted February 9, 2023 2:35 pm

    For 50 years my relationship with God was at a different, a lower not as deep, level. The very unexpected, very sudden, and deep hurt of her passing brought about amazing changes. I experienced consolation believing she was at peace. It took almost a year before the autopsy report finally explained the cause of her passing. New experiences brought me closer to God. I felt God’s presence.. I firmly believe God is with us always, here and now, tomorrow, forever. Thank You, Lord.
    Grateful for David’s multi-faceted progress. It is a blessing to all who know him, for they too benefit from this improvement. Prayers that there will also be help from the VA and Medicare.
    Prayers, for Julie, Megan, and h; Jill, Becky, Larry, and Don, Jill’s church, school, tennis group, godchildren,; Lou, her children, Mom, and work.
    As much as I appreciate winter, there is a doldrum effect. Somehow I sense it here with so few posts.
    The word dwindle comes to mind. Just as God is always there, spring too will come, life isn’t gone, on bright sunny winter days, yes the sun shines in the winter too, it comes to life with skiers on the slopes, snowshoers in the woods, and ice fishing, skating, and ice boating on ponds and lakes. White, the presence of all colors at once, is with us. There’s shimmer on the icicles. Thank You, Lord for winter.

  • Jill Posted February 9, 2023 4:45 pm

    I don’t know that I have a sense that He is “far away”. But, I would say I struggle to sense His Presence. I also think that it is likely a result of my moving away or being not tuned in, focused.
    The new metal detectors were rolled out today – we were the first school to get them as we are the biggest school in our district. Not unexpectedly, it took longer – because they seem ultra sensitive. The students were to remove electronic devices, metal water bottles, etc. But it still seemed the detectors were going off. Going to take some time to smooth things out.
    Grateful to be home after school – first time this week. Definitely going to get to bed early – as last evening was later than usual with small group.
    Prayers for the concerns of the regular posters here. May you experience His peace and presence.

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