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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

WITH REMARKABLE FREQUENCY, the first word God speaks to individuals and groups poised at the edge of momentous decision or holy encounter is this: “Do not be afraid. Do not fear.” What is intended goes beyond an attitude adjustment on our part. What is intended are lives empowered by that decisive word, so that “do not be afraid” finds its fullest expression when we do not live afraid. Faith does not call us merely to live without fear inside the sanctuary. Discipleship calls us to confront appeals to fear in the world around us and to live our lives and bear our witness accordingly.

– John Indermark
Do Not Live Afraid

From page 11 of Do Not Live Afraid: Faith in a Fearful World by John Indermark. Copyright © 2009 by John Indermark. 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 see your response fear as a witness to your faith? Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

And immediately they left their nets and followed him.
Mark 1:18, NRSV

This Week: Pray for compassion. 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: Anthony of Egypt (January 17).

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

11 Comments

  • Jill Posted January 21, 2018 5:30 am

    If anyone were to ask me how I have felt about what has occurred over the past several months – I believe much of my response would center on God’s assistance. As I said a few days ago, this would not have been the case a few years ago.
    A very close friend has noticed how I have “received” the news of my diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis. There definitely is an undertone of peace and acceptance. These health issues my parents are experiencing…I would have fretted terribly about them in the past. But, now, while very difficult to see them struggle, I am not overcome by distress. I wish I could pass along my peace to my mother.
    My sister and I spent much of yesterday at my parents’ house. Dad, while weak, looked much better yesterday. We played cards for several hours and ordered in dinner. Dad is hoping to feel well enough to attend church today.
    I, too, am looking forward to church. Three days of being together with family – while good in many ways, has also been taxing. I am anxious to worship, see other supportive friends and have a quiet remainder of the day at home.
    Marcy – praying that your needs will be met, each day. Andrea – so glad you were able to see your grandson and daughter – that the time was good.

    • Marcy Posted January 21, 2018 6:45 pm

      Thank you, Jill, for praying for me. You are so strong and steady, learning so well through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Praises your Dad is doing so good as he recovers from his hospitalization and has the catheter removed in the coming days. God bless!

  • Andrea Posted January 21, 2018 7:02 am

    Thank you, Jill. You have been very strong, truly God’s grace.

    I pray for UR friends that we live unafraid and that our lives confront fear- mongering in the world.

    Blessings.

    • Marcy Posted January 21, 2018 6:39 pm

      Thank you, Andrea, for prayers, as one of the recipients. And it is heartening to hear how well your visit with your daughter was on Friday. Also, thankful for the visual prayer, it’s been an awful day and tomorrow my car may be towed for no good reason and I have cried so much to you all, I’m not even kidding when I say I’m deeply embarrassed by my reactions. I thought God had made me stronger; I must have missed something as I’m overwhelmed. I pray that this family will still consider me as such, when I regain my strength.

      Hope, faith and love are all still here and I pray for compassion for each soul crying out to God today and every day.

      • Andrea Posted January 21, 2018 7:55 pm

        Marcy, I am praying fervently for you, for relief of your isolation. Could you call your pastor and ask for people to sit with you? I pray for you to rest and gain strength. I picture Jesus beside you and you leaning on Him as He bears this for you. I picture you in the Everlasting Arms. Your tears are blessed and He wipes them tenderly. Gracious God, be with our dear Marcy.

  • Connie Posted January 21, 2018 8:07 am

    Stories of courage, like Jill’s, strengthens the “flock”. There are many such stories on this site, and I am thankful for each and every one of them.
    “The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous runneth to it and is safe” Proverbs 18:10
    We run to the tower on this Sabbath Sunday, Lord, and hope you find us righteous. In your name, Amen.

  • Julie Posted January 21, 2018 1:30 pm

    Please continue your prayers for me
    As I will continue to pray for each of you
    Blessings to all who visit this group of supportive and loving believers

    • Andrea Posted January 21, 2018 8:07 pm

      Julie, I hold you in prayer. For you and Marcy, from Isaiah 49: 15 – 16, “I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands.”

      • Andrea Posted January 21, 2018 8:08 pm

        God has our names inscribed in the palms of his hands.

  • Marcy Posted January 21, 2018 6:30 pm

    Julie, you are always in my prayers, but I have said your name in several special prayers for specifics I’ve chosen from what I know, what you have mentioned here. Thank you, for your prayers and please know that although I’m not myself yet, my prayers and conversations with God are still strong. You are loved and cherished here, Julie, and have been for a long time, I know. I’m praying Andrea’s visual prayer for you, Jesus being very near to you and holding you in His Everlasting Arms.

  • robert moeller Posted January 22, 2018 7:27 am

    I am confused, I try to start the day with refections, not sure what happened yesterday, thankful I was able to go back and read yesterday’s reflection. Miss a day and you miss a lot. Thankful for Jill’s report on her Dad and Mom, time with them and her sister.

    Concerns why Marcy’s car is being towed, thankful for Andrea’s prayers for Julie and Marcy. Connie’s post reinforces and sums up our relationship here at the UR. Thank you, Connie. Lots of well shared support here, we all need it and benefit from it. Thank You, Lord, for filling our thirsty hearts.

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