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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

PURSUE GOD’S PURPOSE FOR YOU. God’s voice may become clearer through your relationships with others: family, friends, community. God will help you to see the next step.

Stepping Out on Your Own: Devotions for High School Graduates

From page 66 of Stepping Out on Your Own: Devotions for High School Graduates. Copyright © 2010 by Upper Room Books. Used by permission. All rights reserved. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

What purpose are you pursuing? Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts!

Psalm 84:1, NRSV

This Week: pray for those who are learning a new skill. 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: Rose of Lima (August 23).

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

16 Comments

  • Jill Posted August 21, 2018 4:26 am

    Grateful to have my purpose of teaching back in my life, my schedule. This is the beginning of year 26. Yesterday morning was full of meetings and the afternoon was for us to work in our classrooms. This was the first year I had not been in to school early to set up my classroom. Partly because I knew I would not be seeing students this week and I would have ample time to prepare. Freshmen only come Thursday and Friday of this week. The other grade levels come next Monday.
    My other purpose is honoring and loving my parents well in this phase. Of course, my overarching purpose is to honor and glorify God – in all areas of my life. These two lines seemed blurred at times for me – because I must be true to My Saviour first and foremost. I am trying to discern what He would have me do…to speak truth in love to my mom. Yet dad is super reluctant to upset the apple cart – so he holds his tongue. Allowing her to continue on in this deep depression while not addressing it with any doctor – I am very frustrated with this. I don’t feel we are doing what is best for her, not arming her with the proper tools to face her situation. I want to honor my dad’s wishes. Is God asking me not to? Very tricky. So, I continue to pray the serenity prayer…serenity, courage, wisdom. Father – lead me, speak clearly, sustain us all.
    Grateful to re-connect with colleagues yesterday at our staff breakfast. Grateful to have gotten many little tasks accomplished. Grateful for my beautiful impatients which have endured the warm, dry summer and continue to color my back yard flower beds.
    Prayers for the UR family, their families and needs. Father, surround us with Your unfathomable love, today and always.

  • robert moeller Posted August 21, 2018 7:16 am

    Very thankful the UR daily reflection is in my mailbox, have not had it for two days. Tried to find it to no avail.

    What a post from Jill to start the day! Prayers and blessings as you start your 26th year of teaching. Prayers for your Mom and Dad, you and Becky, as each of you deal with cancer directly or indirectly.

    Had a wonderful weekend with a “holy hike” on Saturday, praying, singing, reading scripture, and walking through the woods, being by the water, in the mountains. Sunday, worship with a message on the forgiveness part of the Lord’s prayer, and a lunch honoring 50 years of service at a fire station. Yesterday, a walk, a visit with a neighbor, and the assembly of the cab, water
    tank- coal bin of the steam locomotive model I’m working on. Had great meals on all three days with my son.

    I lift up Marcy, Julie and her daughter, Mary, Betsy, Connie, Lou and her family. April, Pam, Rusty and K, Glenn and the entire UR family, members of the church I attend, especially Joan Duffy, Phyllis Grout, Bob and Betty Jones, Anne White. Thankful for the healing of Arnolds Vilcin and Richard White.
    Prayers for Anneliese as she has cataracts removed. Prayers for Erich as he looks for a job and plans for the move that will come next year.

    Blessngs, God’s love, grace, and mercy to you all. Thank You, Lord. Amen.

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted August 21, 2018 7:23 am

    Grateful for public holiday tomorrow,

    My purpose at this moment is to teach well and live well to glorify God. Also, praying for my parents daily. Trying to meet their needs. Will be bringing my mum for her medical check up soon. This is very challenging for me. I need all the prayets and help to do it. May everything go smoothly from taking a cab and getting my mum ready. Grateful for two helpers at home to help me.

    Blessings!

    • Connie Posted August 21, 2018 8:19 am

      Prayers are with you and angels are watching over you and yours.

    • Andrea Posted August 21, 2018 12:19 pm

      Mary, may you enjoy your holiday tomorrow! I will pray for you, your mother, and her upcoming appointment. May it go smoothly. God bless!

  • Julie Posted August 21, 2018 7:58 am

    Unfortunately, as I have mentioned, due to my fingers I have been reluctant to anything. I cannot work outside the home because my fingers are covered in gangrene in the winter. This also keeps me from seeking volunteer duties. My primary focus is helping my daughter. I pray daily for God to guide me so that I may guide her.
    Prayers for Jill and her students. Prayers also for her family and the difficult situation. May God guide them to the appropriate solution for Gloria.
    Prayers for Robert and Erich and Anneliesse. May the operation go well for the cataract removal. May Erich find a suitable job and may Robert and Erich find a new hometown.
    Prayers for Mary and her mother. May the doctor appointment logistics go smoothly and may they have a good public holiday. May God takee up Mary’s yoke as she helps her parents.
    Prayers for Marcy and Roger. Prayers for Connie, Betsy and her family, Lou and her family, Andrea and her family, especially her grandson.
    Prayers for April and Gail and Kn.
    Prayers and blessings dear UR friends and thank you for your prayers.
    God bless you all

    • Connie Posted August 21, 2018 8:21 am

      And God bless you, Julie, on this Tuesday Day.

    • Francesca Posted August 21, 2018 10:31 am

      Hi Julie. Been thinking about you and a program at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. Their Center for Talent Development services gifted students from preschool through high school. Gifted LearningLinks ( GLL ) offers online classes for students and your background /abilities sound like they would be assets for teaching young people. Maybe go on line and just check it out. May God continue to bless your efforts & beautiful spirit.

    • Andrea Posted August 21, 2018 12:34 pm

      Thank you, Julie. May you be guided in supporting your daughter. May God strengthen and lead you every step along the way through the difficult process of divorce. God bless.

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted August 21, 2018 7:40 pm

      May God grant you wisdom to mentor and guide your daughter, Julie.

      May you be fruitful and refreshing despite your curcumstances!

      Blessings

      Thank you so much for your prayers Julie!

  • Connie Posted August 21, 2018 8:17 am

    The purpose I am pursuing is moving out into the world more and that my purpose is God-centered. It sound easy, but there are many barriers presented.
    Thankful for:
    A doctor appt. for my husband kept.
    A tuna sub sandwich from Subway-a treat.
    A few hours of sleep.
    Yes, Jill, very tricky but I know you will be lead by your faith, wisdom, compassion, and strong will to do what is right for your parents without taking away their fragile independence. Prayers.

  • Francesca Posted August 21, 2018 10:10 am

    I thank God for this devotion. Definitely not a high school grad but it fits! Pain from sciatica keeping me out of the classroom , but continue to teach on line. Find myself praying more and more for students. God, is that my purpose now? Jill, God bless you for 26 years of teaching! May we all find our God-given purpose and “re-purpose ” in our lives.

  • Andrea Posted August 21, 2018 12:17 pm

    My purpose at this point, retirement, is to be a blessing through creating things with fabric; to a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend; and to listen to where else God may lead me in the years ahead.

    I ask for your prayers for my daughter, who is struggling. She continues to be anxious, tense, and very over-protective of her little boy. I am concerned about him. I think my daughter may be depressed. I have learned I cannot give her advice. My best course is to just be there as a support and to pray. I pray she will be guided to relax and let go a little. Please pray too for my guidance and wisdom. I appreciate your prayers.

    May we all dwell in God’s lovely dwelling place, the Everlasting Arms. Blessings, all.

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted August 21, 2018 7:35 pm

      Thank you all for your prayers!

      Andrea, may God grant your daughter strength and be her ever present help!

      With your support, your daughter and grandson are so blessed.

      May you enjoy your retirement and be filled with joy, love and peace!

      • Andrea Posted August 21, 2018 11:45 pm

        Thank you, dear Mary! I pray for your work load to be reasonable and for you to have helpful colleagues. Prayers too for your students.

        • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted August 21, 2018 11:58 pm

          Thanks so much dear Andrea!

          You are such a blessing!

          May God bless you abundantly!

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