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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

SET ME FREE, O GOD,
from my empire-prison
of human self-importance.
Help me to serve you and your creation
with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love.

– Sam Hamilton-Poore
Earth Gospel: A Guide to Prayer for God’s Creation

From page 45 of Earth Gospel: A Guide to Prayer for God’s Creation by Sam Hamilton-Poore. Copyright © 2008 by Sam Hamilton-Poore. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

Pray today’s prayer. Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven–whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows.

2 Corinthians 12:2, NRSV

This Week: pray an increase of love of neighbor. 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: Thomas (July 3).

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

8 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted July 5, 2018 5:11 am

    The moment I think I might not be in the situation described in today’s reflection, I fool myself. It’s like the scripture that describes us as thinking we are sinless.

    Only God gets me through the situations I face, thank You, Lord.

    Have read all the posts from yesterday, so many wonderful experiences for many of you. Thank You, Lord. Hopefully I can write more shortly. Have a slightly busy morning before leaving to see my daughter and granddaughters.
    Back tomorrow.

    God be, is, with you. I’m thankful for that.

  • Jill Posted July 5, 2018 5:35 am

    Empire-prison of self importance. We delude ourselves if we don’t recognize this. Father, thank You for the transformation work You do moving us to Christ-likeness. We are nothing without You.
    My mom’s friend was unable to see us yesterday. Mom, dad and I were able to go to my nephew’s impromptu cookout instead. I took the fruit salad and coffee cake to my mom’s friend. Her daughter was a mentor to me growing up and we were very close for quite a while. She moved to Montana when she retired from teaching. I have been up there four times, the last time in 2012, when I took mom and dad with me so they could see Glacier National Park. Since then, our phone calls are very infrequent. She has been here since April, living with her parents, care-giving. We sat and talked for a few hours, like we used to several years ago. We were both in tears at times, sharing our struggles along this care-giving path. She wanted to come see Roger and we sat a bit here, too. We sat at the kitchen table and prayed together. Indeed, the struggle is real. But so is Our Father and His sovereignty and His desire for us to walk through this season of life with our parents. Grateful for the time we had. It may have been a blessing that mom didn’t get to see her friend, as she is really struggling.
    Off to golf with dad this morning. Hoping to beat the rain. Storms are coming and will put an end to this heat wave. Looking forward to this time with dad.
    Thank you all for your kind words and prayers. My soul is buoyed by the support here.

  • Betsy Posted July 5, 2018 6:54 am

    True words in today’s devotion. I can become imprisoned by my inflated feelings of self. Help me to break free from these walls, Lord, and experience the freedom of grace and charity.
    Spent the holiday with neighborhood friends at a bbq and watched fireworks. So blessed to live in a country where I can worship and socialize freely free of danger and judgement. Keeping all who come hear to read, pray and rest in His word a blessed day.

  • Julie Posted July 5, 2018 8:01 am

    I am chastised, Lord, by the words of this prayer. Lead me now as I continue on this new road. Lead me along the new path you have for me, but let me not forget Lord. In the midst of my struggles, open my eyes to the suffering of those around me. There are children being ripped from their parents, those living in war torn countries, and as always many hunger and thirst. I am humbled, my worries are minor.
    Prayers for Jill’s friend’s mother and for all who care for their parents.
    Prayers for Mary as she cares for her students and her parents. May Yu care for Mary, Lord.
    Prayers for Robert and for safe travels as well as a wonderful visit with his daughter and granddaughter.
    Prayers for Betsy and her sage words.
    Continued prayers for Marcy, may she have transportation to her appointment and relief from breathing issues, pain, nd all other physical issues. Her faith is a testament for me to follow.
    Prayers and blessings to all of the loving and supportive UR family

  • Connie Posted July 5, 2018 8:22 am

    “Human self-importance” can indeed overtake a person. I have to remind myself that others have difficulties and we must focus on theirs also. God loves us all and watches over us, so we need not fear.
    Seems like the beginning of the week, not a Thursday! Our 4th was very quiet with rain, but the fireworks were not affected. I watched them on t.v.
    Blessings to all.

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted July 5, 2018 9:32 am

    I commit all the needs of my UR friends into your hands, Lord.

    May all their needs be met!

    Thank you for all your prayers.

    Grateful for another fruitful and happy day with my new colleague.

    Blessings

  • Andrea Posted July 5, 2018 12:31 pm

    This is true of me at times, thinking my needs are central. Help me, Gracious God, to have a more loving perspective. Help me in my relationships to better consider the needs of others. May I love my neighbor better, the familiar neighbor, the less known neighbor, and the stranger.

    Prayers for a safe and good trip to visit your daughter and granddaughters, Robert. Mary, prayers of thanks that you are having happy, fruitful days at work with your new colleague; may that be the new norm.

    Grateful for a beautiful summer day – a little on the warm side, but that’s summer.

    Blessings, all.

  • Marcy Posted July 5, 2018 5:12 pm

    Hello blessed UR siblings and friends. I struggle with today’s Reflection. I am in a physical prison and thinking about ways to better serve God, often results in frustration. My only action is the Holy Spirit’s leading me when I am outside of myself, praying for others by their name and personal concerns. I also pray for other parts of the world and the circumstances of many. Too many “I’s” already, but the concentration is on other people, places and circumstances.

    Thank you Robert, Jill, Betsy, Julie, Connie, Mary and Andrea for today’s comments. Thank you for your prayers as another migraine has struck. I continue to keep you all in prayer, posting, reading only or visiting. I pray for the UR family as a whole; God knows your needs. Thanking God each day for His blessings, praying in patience, listening for His instruction and praying His will be done with my health, whatever He decides.

    And these three remain: Faith, Hope and Love, and the greatest of these is LOVE! Sending Love and Light!

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