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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

Discipleship Ministries staff member Scott Hughes tells how he has found ways to practice daily spiritual disciplines and connect with others during a stressful time of social distancing.

 

Today’s Reflection

We do not, I think, borrow our children from God, nor from one another. In my imagination, the call of God on a mother, on Hannah, on Mary, on the rest of us is not to hold our children more lightly—nor more tightly—but to love them more fiercely. I do not understand myself as a deputy to God in mothering my children but as a stargazer, looking in wonder at the ongoing work of creation standing next to me, awed and frequently perplexed by the heavenly creature that God has sent to live with me.

—Rosalind C Hughes, A Family Like Mine: Biblical Stories of Love, Loss, and Longing (Upper Room Books, 2020)

Today’s Question

How does spending time with children help you experience wonder and awe at God’s creativity? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you.
—1 Thessalonians 3:12 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

God, who is both Father and Mother, I give thanks for your unconditional love, protection, and guidance.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Something More

How do we stay centered in the midst of fears, grief, and stress? Here are some resources to help you keep—or create—spiritual wellness and wholeness in these anxious times.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

5 Comments

  • Jill Posted April 15, 2020 6:06 am

    I don’t know that I have ever considered God’s creativity – when surrounded by my students. Certainly aware of their uniqueness and His creating them in that way. But – creativity sure fits.
    I know how I longed to be with my god-children – watching them at one of their sporting events, or in attendance at one of their birthday parties – last year when I was immersed in caring for my mom. Even a simple picture texted from my friend lifted my spirits.
    Ally – so glad to hear of the continued, steady improvement for David. May you both continue to trust in Our Father’s timing.

  • Julie Posted April 15, 2020 8:41 am

    Oh yes, I see God’s blending of Megan’s father and myself into the unique creation that reflects all of us, her father, myself and her Father. I know many here share my love regarding our fur babies and i thank God daily for trusting me to care for their precious souls while here on earth. Likewise I took very seriously the privedge of carrying Megan in my womb and caring for her all these years. God gives us a great gift and trusts us to seek His guidance as they are His children and creation above ours.
    Prayers for Ally and David and thanks to God for his coontinued healing of David. May Ally and David be reunited soon.
    Prayers for Jill, Larry, their family and her godchildren and students for safety and health.
    Prayers for BJ and her mom, may they stay healthy and safe and may God bless BJ as His special child.
    Prayers for safety and health for Andrea, Lou, Rick and Robert.
    Welcome to David (name?), our new commenter, may you feel welcome here and safe and may you be healthy.
    Prayers and thank you and health and safety for all UR

  • Julie Posted April 15, 2020 8:42 am

    Sorry, newcomer Larry, Welcome!

  • Andrea Posted April 15, 2020 1:01 pm

    I fiercely love my daughter and grandson. I pray for God’s guidance on how best to guide my daughter and SIL. When I pray for my grandson, I picture Jesus saying “Let the little children come to me.” I believe I must strive to embody Jesus to my grandson, to my daughter and SIL.

    I am ever so thankful for Lowell and how he blesses my life, and I pray I may equally bless his, that we may be God’s Love to each other.

    With continued prayers for David and Ally, for Jill, her father, her school community, her colleague’s grieving family, for Julie and Megan, for Robert and Erich, for Lou and her children, for Rick and his husband, for Bj, for all UR friends and visitors. Praying for your health and welfare in this challenging time, that you all will remain strong and safe. Grateful we are one in Spirit.

  • April Posted April 15, 2020 4:49 pm

    There is nothing so satisfying and delightful as playing with young children!! They are so fresh and new, eager to learn, laugh freely and often…their future is before them, and they are ready to explore it!! I am reminded to do that too, even if I have been down the road a few years. Every new day is a new beginning, so with that in mind, I am trying to do that.
    I pray for answers to the questions COVID-19 has asked and for His help and healing in these days. May He be with and beside patients, healthcare workers, families, pastors, etc. May He infuse wisdom into the hearts and minds of our leaders during this time. May we adopt the term physical distancing instead of social distancing as all of society is touched by this pandemic and pray for a solution soon.
    I pray for our UR Family Members, Robert and Erich, Jill and her father, Julie and Megan, Lou, Andrea, BJ, Rick, Larry, David and Ally, Marsha, Connie, all families and friends. God is with us….Blessings.

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