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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

CENTERING
Imagine that you are in a boat rocking wildly on the choppy waves of a rough ocean. Then the waves become calm, and the boat moves gently with the water. Feel the rhythm as the boat lifts and falls like a cradle being rocked. Allow yourself to relax.

PRAYING
Ever-present God, thank you for being here with me right now. In the chaos of my life, I often forget that you are always with me, always seeking to bring me peace.

People demand so much of me and my time. I face the requests of others, the needs of others, the expectations of others — always others.

I have so much to do and so many responsibilities resting on my shoulders.

I feel overwhelmed, as if the world around me is a heaving, crashing sea, and I am adrift in a small boat, unable to keep the waves from closing over me.

Only you can bring order out of this chaos. Say the word, All-Powerful God, and I know the seas will be calmed and that I will be safe. I know this — yet I’m afraid to let go of the tiller and trust you.

My mind skitters around my many concerns: What if something doesn’t get done? What if someone is angry with my actions? What if…?

Even as I say these words, I can hear how foolish they are. You, the God of my life, are also the God of order. Bring order to my life, and in doing so, take care of all those concerns that rise up around me like stormy waves. Calm the seas of my busyness; still the waters of my “doingness.” Let me drift on the gentle swells of your love and care. ….

Thank you, O God, that the same hand that stilled the waters holds my hand.

LISTENING
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” —John 16:33

RETURNING
Throughout the day, imagine yourself on a calm ocean, quietly rocking in a small boat.

– Quiet Spaces: Prayer Interludes for Women

From pages 106-108 of Quiet Spaces: Prayer Interludes for Women by Patricia Wilson. Copyright © 2002 by Patricia F. Wilson. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. Note: See MyQuietSpaces.org, the website for women that was inspired by this book. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

Practice today’s mediation and carry it with you throughout the day. Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless. And I will make my covenant between me and you, and will make you exceedingly numerous.”

Genesis 17:1-2, NRSV

This Week: Pray for victims of gun violence. 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: Jacinta Marto, Francisco Marto, and Lucia dos Santos (February 20).

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

15 Comments

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted February 18, 2018 2:47 am

    The prayer above is most appropriate for me. I am indeed overwhelmed!

    May God help me!

    Blessings to all

  • robert moeller Posted February 18, 2018 4:48 am

    Yes, Mary, God is helping you. I truly believe that.

    Yes there have been times when I feel overwhelmed. I would not be human if that was not so. It has taken me a long time to learn that trusting in God will get me through whatever is troubling me.

    Thankful for Sunday, a day to worship God, I regain strength at worship.
    Prayers for peace and and an end to gun violence, healing for those who are ill or hurting, reconciliation for friends and family estranged, wisdom for leaders, and well being for everyone. May those we miss be returned to us.
    UR family you are in my prayers, Julie’s hands and toe, Jill and her parents, Mary and her dad, Andrea, Lowell, Andrea’s daughter and grandson, Connie, April, Pam, Chloe, Lou and her children and mom, Marcy. and Rusty. May all of your needs be met and God’s peace rest on you.

    Your boat rests on calm waters and you are safe.

    • Andrea Posted February 19, 2018 12:03 pm

      Thank you, Robert. My husband is still sick, he has a harsh cough. I have managed not to catch it from him.

      Prayers for you, and for Julie, Mary and Lou. I pray for strength for you and for all UR friends. Prayers for Mary and Jill’s parents, for Anneliese, for Erich, for Lou’s children, and for all those not named here for whom you pray. Prayers for Jill and Marcy, who have been missing for some days now.

      I have used the image of my being in the boat with Jesus during the storm when He commanded the waves to calm. I had a lovely children’s book depicting that miracle that I often read to my daughter when she was little. It is one of my favorite stories from Jesus’ life.

      May you all have a blessed day and week.

      • robert moeller Posted February 19, 2018 7:00 pm

        Prayers for Lowell, lots of people with colds, flu, upper respiratory illness.

        Stayed home from church Sunday, not something I like to do, as I had the sniffles. Naps and tea help, but prayers are best.

        • Andrea Posted February 19, 2018 8:22 pm

          Prayers for you, Robert, to shake the sniffles and get back to full health and energy. Blessings!

          • robert moeller Posted February 20, 2018 5:52 am

            Prayers, naps, and tea helped and I feel better. Thanks, Andrea! Off to the gym this morning.

  • Betsy Posted February 18, 2018 7:21 am

    The water and the movement of the sea. I will return to that imagery often today. God, you are our support during overwhelming circumstances. Thank you for calming us and protecting us.

    Thankful to return to worship today. Today we talk about sacrifice and where God is leading us to do His work. Open my heart to this message.

    Prayers tor all the families, students, teachers and community members affected by the senseless violence last week in Florida. Surround them with your grace and mercy, Lord. Amen

    • robert moeller Posted February 18, 2018 8:38 am

      It irks me when I try to remember everyone in prayer and leave some one out.
      Prayers for you and Grace, hope you are getting the rest you need. God’s peace to you.

  • Connie Posted February 18, 2018 8:25 am

    “Lord, the sea is so big and my boat is so small”

    • robert moeller Posted February 18, 2018 8:41 am

      No matter how big the ocean or how vast the universe, God is with us. Snow here last night so I think of you and your driveway. Have the sniffles this morning so decided to stay home from church.

  • Lou Posted February 18, 2018 5:37 pm

    Yes God is with us all-
    I too feel very overwhelmed and consumed by my sadness recently- just feel like I can’t quite get over the hump- I try to keep my family together the best I can but feel like I am failing. Happy that my son showed up at worship this morning – grateful for my Sunday school class and the message this morning-
    Trying to get over the hump-
    Trying to focus on God’s blessings not the loneliness and overwhelming sadness I feel.
    Prayers for all who come to this place looking for God’s peace –
    Prayers for the Florida families and all who have experienced devastating loss. God is near –

    • robert moeller Posted February 18, 2018 7:26 pm

      Lou, feeling overwhelmed puts you in God’s hands and there you are safe.
      You are able to do what you do because God is with you. Bless you, your children, and your Mom.

      • Lou Posted February 19, 2018 7:24 am

        Thank you-

  • Julie Posted February 19, 2018 8:07 am

    So much pain and suffering and feelings of being overwhelmed in the world and in our little world here. I, too, have been feeling overwhelmed. Broke down yesterday and sobbed for a good 15 or 20 minutes. I highly recommend this. Just let it out when you find you can’t go on. I always feel so much better.
    So know that you not alone. Not only is God with you, but I am also.
    Blessings and prayers for each one here. All concerns have been recorded in my prayer journal and are lifted heavenward every day
    The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. Nelson Mandela

    • robert moeller Posted February 19, 2018 7:43 pm

      Julie, your action, taking your tears to God, and the quote from Nelson Mandela are spirit filled. Bless you and thank. You are God filled and thus able to deal with the hand and toe problems you face. You wonder what you can bring to the UR , but it is obvious to me that you are a blessing to all of us.

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