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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

WHAT HAS YOUR ATTENTION at this very moment? This reading? Perhaps, but we all know that we can give modest attention to several things at once. We eat, read, and listen for the phone all at the same time. When our search for something consumes all our energy and all our faculties, everything else fades away and disappears. Even a ringing phone goes unanswered when we are seeking to give answer to another call deep within. What are you searching for that consumes all your energy and attention? The quest for God is a search worthy of such all-consuming passion and energy.

– Norman Shawchuck and Rueben P. Job
A Guide to Prayer for All Who Seek God

Rueben P. Job, page 375 of A Guide to Prayer for All Who Seek God by Norman Shawchuck and Rueben P. Job. Copyright © 2003 by Norman Shawchuck and Rueben P. Job. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

What has your attention at this very moment? Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them.

Mark 9:2-3, 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

12 Comments

  • Tim Wells Posted February 10, 2018 5:22 am

    Family members who no longer interact with their family. What prayers will they fell? What prayer do they need to bring joy back into their life?

  • Jill Posted February 10, 2018 5:34 am

    At the very moment I was reading the question about this very moment, my cat was trying to find a spot on my lap, where my laptop was sitting. After he gets done with his breakfast, scopes out the view from a couple of windows he heads to my chair, pokes around, jumps up on the arm and waits for me to move my laptop so he can have “his spot” on my lap. We do have our routines, he and I.
    This morning my thoughts are with my parents, my Bible studies that I need to get cracking on and the activities of today and tomorrow. Today begins the basketball league for inner city boys at the church I used to attend. Each Saturday morning for this month and next – I will be running the scoreboard/clock. I have been doing this for quite a while now – I would guess 15 years or so. These boys, some from my school, come for a devotional with their coach and then play a game. Snacks/breakfast items are provided by the coaches. There are some hard core kids and the refs and coaches work hard with them to mind their language and their behavior.
    Grateful for sunshine and milder temperatures yesterday and a walk after school. Grateful for good sleep last night and being able to sleep in a bit.

  • robert moeller Posted February 10, 2018 6:56 am

    Thoughts of a visit to the vet yesterday distract my attention to today’s reflection. Thankful Isis will be with us a little longer and that the meds will provide her some help. It’s very tough watching a beloved pet go and seeing your son deal with it. He asks,”If God loves us why is this happening?” I don’t have an answer. I just know that faith in God has helped me through many situations and I cling to that.

    Starting the day with the UR helps.

    Thankful for the posts from Tim and Jill. An important question Tim, I pray that family members will pray. There is an old saying, the family that prays together, stays together.

    Jill, the story of your morning routine and the basketball tournament are heartwarming and positive. That’s a wonderful activity you participate in. I have no idea how you do the many things you do while being a full time teacher. As a history-foreign language teacher there was so much that needed to be done after class, finding time to do the activities you do was close to impossible.
    Prayers for you, your parents, and sister as all of you deal with your parents’ health.

  • Andrea Posted February 10, 2018 7:05 am

    That sounds like a neat event and a great community service, Jill.

    My attention is taken up with my husband’s snoring in bed, as I sit in tbe chair in our bedroom. I see a shatp crescent moon from the south window and light beginning to fill the east.

    This morning I will spend time with my neighbor friend. I pray to be fully present to her.

    I had outpatient surgery on a finger on Thursday and I pray for good healing. I think of Julie and pray for her hands, and I think of Anneliese and pray for her health.

    May I also be fully present to my husband this weekend. He turns 75 tomorrow. Every day with him is a blessing and I pray for many more days and years together. I pray to take good care of him.

    With prayers for all UR friends. Welcome, Tim, I echo your prayer. Prayers too for single parents, may they find strength and support. Wishing all UR visitors a blessed weekend.

  • Connie Posted February 10, 2018 7:54 am

    This morning I am wondering how in the world will we remove so much snow. Up to 2-3″ yes, but why doesn’t our snow-removal guy come like he said he would. Oh well, it is what it is. Prayers Please.
    Today I am thankful, though, for a warm house, a stocked cupboard, my comments that I read here.
    Yes Tim, why is that?

    • Connie Posted February 11, 2018 8:01 am

      I re-read yesterday. We had over a half foot of snow with the 2-3″ more on top of that. Sounded pretty “wimpy”, but it was a LOT. ha.

      • robert moeller Posted February 12, 2018 5:06 am

        How much is “a lot” of snow is relative. To some any is too much, for others it takes 48 inches in 48 hours and call out the National Guard. What we are able to handle is also a factor. How much umph you have counts.

        Hope a good result happened and your snow problem was resolved.

  • Julie Posted February 10, 2018 7:59 am

    After readiing Robert’s post, thoughts of Isis and Erich fill my mind. Prayers for both. Thoughts of my kitty who was recently in the vet hospital as well as thoughts of the cat that we watched pass away a year ago. God loves us and that is why we have pets to share our lives. We show the love of God to these loving creatures and know a fraction of His feelings for us as we ache for the pain our pets experience.
    Welcome Tim and hope to hear from you in the future.
    Blessings and prayers for all of the UR family

    • robert moeller Posted February 12, 2018 5:13 am

      Thank you Julie. Erich has had two cats, Black Cat and now Isis. Black Cat got an incurable disease and was taken to the vet to stop the suffering. Isis has been with us for only 7 years and will soon share the same end. These cats mean a lot to Erich. It’s the toughest part of having a pet. Pets bring such joy that these times hurt even more.

  • julie Posted February 10, 2018 8:03 am

    Find your Greatness
    Rebecca (character from Wonder)

  • Octavio R Stewart Posted February 12, 2018 7:13 am

    Good morning blessings. I will just like to remember all. That the Sabbath was giving to us for a day of rest yes and to praise and worship or creator. Remember we belong to Him and in obeying the fourth we become one with our maker again.

    Shalom.

    • robert moeller Posted February 12, 2018 3:17 pm

      Thank you Octavio. Yes, I agree. Glad to hear from you and welcome to the Upper Room.

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