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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

WHY DO SO MANY praying Christians feel as if their prayers “die at the ceiling” or echo in the dark? Perhaps something crucial is missing.

I suggest that what’s missing is the sense and the experience of deep connection and real community: of spiritual intimacy not only with God but with other praying believers. Believing and praying others, members of our spiritual family who gather with us around Word, Table, Bath, [baptism] and Hours, are a gift of God to absorb the echo of isolated orisons. Believing, praying others help us hoist before God the concerns that are too heavy for any one of us alone to lift “past the ceiling.”

I believe God has placed it in our hearts to pray together: to meet in some place and time, to give ourselves to some form or fashion, to pray both with and for one another. When we don’t pray like that, or do so only rarely, we sense the loss even if we cannot articulate it—as when we hunger for something we cannot name.

– Thomas R. Steaglad
A House of Prayer

From page 16 of A House of Prayer: The Power of Praying in Community by Thomas R. Steagald. Copyright © 2014 by Thomas R. Steaglad. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

Do you pray regularly with others? Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake.

2 Corinthians 4:5, NRSV

This Week: Pray for those single mothers and fathers. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.

Did You Know?

In need of prayer? The Upper Room Living Prayer Center is a 7-day-a-week intercessory prayer ministry staffed by trained volunteers. Call 1-800-251-2468 or visit The Living Prayer Center website.

This week we remember: Margaret Gaffney Haughery (February 9).

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

Sponsored by Upper Room Ministries ®. Copyright © 2018 | PO Box 340004 | Nashville, TN 37203-0004 | USA

15 Comments

  • Jill Posted February 8, 2018 3:21 am

    The women’s small group Bible study I joined at my new church this past Fall is different in many ways from my other group. And being intentional about setting apart time to pray is one significant difference. Prayer requests and intentions are shared and we will sometimes pray as a big group, and other times we break into duos or trios and pray. When we break into the smaller pods, I get such a stronger sense of unity before Our Father. Unfortunately, group was cancelled last night due to weather. I missed our time together.
    Julie – I hope Tazzie is doing ok, getting the proper medical treatment.
    Grateful for a snow day yesterday. I had not slept well the night before – so just lounged around for most of the day, drifting in and out of sleep, like and with my cat. Also, had an appointment with my new rheumatologist. My prior one unexpectedly left the practice I was with. Was able to find a younger female one – a bit of a drive away – but I liked her. She saw no reason to change anything as I continue to have little inflammation and have very good functionality in my hands. So grateful to God.

  • robert moeller Posted February 8, 2018 4:33 am

    I pray together with the UR family. There is a prayer chain at church butI have not used that.

    Snow began here around 11 am and lasted until 8 pm yesterday. School was cancelled the day before. Since I am retired I haven’t experienced a school snow day in 11 years. Thankful that safety comes first and everyone usually headed to school is off the road.

    Prayers for Tazzie, pets are so close to us. Concern here for Isis. She had surgery, mammary glands on one side removed. She has recovered well. Erich is concerned that she may not be breathing well and is anxious. Will call the vet and make an appointment.

    Prayers for Anneliese who will see a second cardiologist on the 19th. Her palpitations do seem to be decreasing. Thankful that an abandoned cat left by neighbors is being cared for and hopefully soon will be in a shelter.

    Prayers for Marcy, Mary’s school and her dad, Andrea’s husband, Lowell, her daughter and grandson, Julie’s hands, knee, and feet, Betsy’s calling, Lou, her children and mother, Connie, April, Sally, and those we miss dearly.

    Thankful for trains running on the layout and the arrival of supplies needed to complete a model.

    Prayers for single parents and blessings to all of you.

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted February 8, 2018 6:03 pm

      Thanks Robert!

      Blessings

  • Lou Posted February 8, 2018 6:33 am

    This prayerful community is a blessing. I also have a group of mothers from my church that I pray with – when my first child was leaving for college five years ago I worried about how I would handle that “loss”. One morning I woke up and called my pastors and said I wanted to start a moms group for college students where our objective was to intentionally pray for our students away at school- that group has been a true blessing – some of the moms kids have graduated but we still meet twice a month and pray for our children.
    Prayers today for all here at the UR – blessings, healing, and peace. I am thankful for those here that offer prayers and support for me.
    Prayers for my son as he has a job interview today- prayers for my oldest daughter away from me at school, prayers for my youngest daughter who has been uncharacteristicly distant with me- Lord grant them Your peace.
    Prayers for all in the path of a winter storm expected to give us a foot of snow in the next 24 hours.

  • Betsy Posted February 8, 2018 7:23 am

    Communal prayer for and with others is a powerful thing. Our ladies Bible study group, as well as my Sunday School, regularly lifts up concerns and praises as we pray together. I feel intercessory prayer is also a great link that bonds us all her at this site.
    Prayers for those pets we hold so dear in our lives; Isis and Tazzie; Jill’s cat and our dog, Gus. They have such unconditional love for us. I took some puppies to a mobile adoption event at our local university yesterday. To watch how these college kids loved on these sweet little guys. I know there is a special place in heaven for our furry friends!
    Thank you for the continued prayers for my ministry opportunity. After prayer and talking with the spiritual leader, I’ve decided to hold off until a later time. I’m feeling that God wants me to wait and rest at this time. Many things are on my plate right now, and I need to focus on these. I do feel lighter that this decision has been made. Thank you for your prayers.
    Thankful you’ve found a trusted rheumatologist, Jill. Praying your progress continues.

  • Julie Posted February 8, 2018 8:11 am

    This wonderful group of prayer warriors is my prayer group. I relish my connection which you each day. Especially after I posted my request for Tazzie prayers. Yoour unconditional acceptance and subsequent prayers and comments were brought me to tears. Thank you. Tazzie is home, on medication but eating and seems much better.
    Prayers for Isis and Erich. I do indeed feel your pain and anxiety.
    I have been praying fr Mary in the evening as I found that she is 13 hours ahead of EST.
    Prayers for each one of you who post and thank you for your prayers for myself and again for Tazzie. I also say prayers for all who visit including those who do not post.
    Blessings to all

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted February 8, 2018 6:07 pm

      Thanks Julie!

      My dad’s doc and therapists will have a meeting on the 14th to discuss when my dad can be discharge.

      Blessings

  • Julie Posted February 8, 2018 8:12 am

    Everything you can imagine is real
    Pablo Picasso

  • Andrea Posted February 8, 2018 8:14 am

    Betsy, it is good you discerned that you need rest. Prayers for safety for all who have had a large snowfall. Prayers for Annneliese’s palpitations and pain issues to resolve, for Erich’s anxiety, and for Isis, for Tazzie; and prayers for Robert, Jill, Betsy, Marcy, Lou, Mary, Julie, Connie, April, Louise, Francesca, and those whose names I’ve overlooked. UR prayer warriors are my main, regular prayer group. It is a blessing to pray for UR friends and to ask for prayers. My friends here at home are prayerful also and we ask for prayers from one another. Prayers for single parents, that they receive the support, resources, companionship and rest they need.

    I will have breakfast with my daughter in a little while, go to a doctor’s appt., and then join a group of quilting friends to sew. My daughter is constantly exhausted. She is a stay-at-home mom and I am concerned about her. I ask that you keep her in your prayers.

    Please also pray for my Sri Lankan friend, Kumar, that his tour guide business in Sri Lanka grows and better supports him and his family, and that his respiratory health improves.

    I pray I can figure out which foods are causing me to cough or become hoarse. I have radically altered my diet but still have some issues. It is an ongoing issue to manage. I am thankful for good doctors and much improvement. I also pray to get on top of housecleaning.

    “…all things work together for good for those who love God….”

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted February 8, 2018 6:09 pm

      Thanks Andrea!

      May all have a wonderful week ahead!

      Blessings

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  • robert moeller Posted February 9, 2018 2:56 am

    Thankful for the prayers for Erich, Isis, and Anneliese. Vet appointment made and Anneliese has a doctor’s appointment. A second doctor is likely for the heart ablation she may need.

    Made it through the big snow storm, prayers that others did as well, Thankful for resolution to Betsy’s calling opportunity, a forthcoming decision on Mary’s dad leaving the hospital, Lou and her college moms group, Tazzie and Julie,
    Andrea, Lowell,Andrea’s daughter, grandson, and son-in-law.

    Prayers for Marcy, Louise, and others we haven’t heard from. Lord, they are in Your hands. Thank You, Lord.

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted February 9, 2018 6:31 am

    Thanks Robert!

    I will continue to pray for you, Erich and Annaliese.
    May all be well with you and your famiky

    Blessings

  • Joan Posted February 9, 2018 8:26 am

    Please pray w me for my friend.

    • robert moeller Posted February 15, 2018 1:12 am

      Prayers for you and your friend. Thankful she has a friend praying for her, and now many more praying for both of you. Lately I am bombarded with emails that keep me busy getting to the emails that really count. Rest assured you are not forgotten.

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