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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

MATTHEW’S GOSPEL records Jesus’ teachings about the futility of worry. Jesus points to the birds of the air and the lilies of the field, which live in the moment, do no strategic planning or forecasting or saving for a rainy day, and yet they are provided for. He reminds us that each day holds its own troubles — and blessings. Worry about tomorrow gets in the way of living today to the fullest.

—Kim Barker, Linda de Meillon, Leigh Harrison
Birthed in Prayer

From pages 112-113 of Birthed in Prayer: Pregnancy as a Spiritual Journey by Kim Barker, Linda de Meillon, Leigh Harrison. Copyright © 2008 by the authors. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books.Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

What worries you? Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
—Luke 3:21-22, NRSV

This Week: pray for someone beginning a good habit. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.

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Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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7 Comments

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted January 8, 2019 2:35 am

    Yes, God I commit all my worries into your hands for you are in charge of my life. Thank you God!

    Looking forward to tonight’s cooking class, chilli crab

    Blessings!

  • Jill Posted January 8, 2019 3:42 am

    The concern foremost in my mind is being able to appropriately care for my parents as their health declines. This goes beyond physical support, and I think this is why I feel such discontent where my mom is concerned. The mental anguish she endures on a daily basis – and I cannot impart any peace or comfort to her. By me being silent and honoring her desire to “not talk about it” – is this what God is having me do? Is this the best demonstration of His love? Oh Father – please move me in the direction You would have me go and to speak the words You would have me speak. And if You require silence, assure me of this. I want to be obedient.
    Thank you all for your prayers – I know even when I don’t mention a specific request, you are all faithfully before Him.
    Prayers for Kelsey and a safe delivery. Lou, I appreciate you putting voice to your gratitude for the time with your children over the holidays. Grateful for Connie’s husband’s recovery from his cold. Always happy to hear from Rusty. Julie – I am glad you have this standing commitment every other Sunday with your daughter. How refreshing that time must be for the both of you. May Mary’s activities continue to bring her opportunities to share her joy and love. Prayers, too, for her parents and sister.
    Father – thank You for today, for the opportunities before us.

  • Julie Posted January 8, 2019 8:11 am

    Worry is my constant companion these days. I am fear of the future and I try to take solace in scripture and in giving my future to God. Still….the worry will rear its ugly head.
    Prayers for Mary and may she enjoy her feast tonight.
    Prayers for Jill and her family. May her father’s cold resolve quickly. May Jill find the strength through her faith to meet all her parents needs.
    Prayers for Robert and Erich and their move.
    Prayers for Betsy and her daughter in law, may all go well with delivery of a health child.
    Prayers for Lou as she enters a new year still grieving her old life. May time continue to heal the pain.
    Prayers for Andrea and Lowell and Lowell’s upcoming medical procedure. May it go better than before.
    Prayers for Marcy, may she have pain relief today.
    Prayers for Connie and her wonderful descriptions of nature each day.
    Prayers dear UR family

  • Andrea Posted January 8, 2019 8:35 am

    Thank you for your prayers, Jill, Julie, and Lou.
    I love the passage about the birds of the air and the lilies of the field.

    I slept poorly, worrying about my husband, who is having an invasive procedure this morning. While I lay awake, I laid my hands on him and prayed for him, as he slept soundly. I need to put my trust in God. I prayed also for each of you and your prayer concerns.

    I am so grateful for UR friends, older friendships now renewed, and newer friends as dear as the old.

    Prayers for Jill and her parents, for Robert, Erich, and Anneliese, for Julie and Megan, for Marcy whom we miss and her caregiver Mary, for Lou and her children, for Connie and her husband, for Rusty and K, for Mary and her parents, for Kelsey and her baby, and for all who visit UR.

    Jesus “reminds us that each day holds its own troubles — and blessings.” Wishing all a blessed day.

  • Connie Posted January 8, 2019 8:49 am

    I try not to worry, but am not always successful. There are things that need to be addressed so I guess that is a form of worry-I call it resolution. I rely on “My yoke is easy and my burden is light”. TYJ
    Praying for a good outcome for Lowell and that he can begin his PT in good time. Hope Jill’s Father’s cold improves with each day. May Julie get some answers that will benefit her life. Marcy…FHL.

  • robert moeller Posted January 8, 2019 4:27 pm

    It took a long time for me to slow down from worrying, now and then I still do, but God has helped me through some tough times and worry is much less than it used to be. I do th best I can and leave what I can’t do to God. I think that is what God expects us to do. We are most definitely not all powerful or all able.

  • robert moeller Posted January 8, 2019 4:37 pm

    Trying to get back to what I think I should be doing here, praying for all of you. Progress is being made here, we are moving forward, have steps to take, oner at a time, and with God’s guidance and wisdom things will come out as according to God’s plan.

    Yes. all of you, Jill, Julie, Andrea, Betsy, Connie, Rusty, Lou, Mary, Marcy and Mary, and all the UR family, your prayers and my prayers for you are lifted up. Know that God is with you and that you are with God. Thankful for your prayers. Tomorrow should be a less busy day, a storm is predicted to start soon and last the whole night. Will see where we are in the morning.
    Thank You, Lord, for all You do for us each and everyday.

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