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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

FROM THE BEGINNING, O God,
you formed light that I might see;
sky that I might look;
earth and sea that I might seek and search.
You formed creatures of every kind—
swarming, flying, swimming, creeping—
that I, O God, might find my place with them;
that I, O God, might praise your making them.
Open my eyes,
too often closed;
clear the sleep from my heart,
too often settled;
that I may seek the blessing of your presence,
O God of my beginning, O God of my life.
Amen.

Today’s Question

Pray today’s prayer. Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

[Jesus] told those who were selling the doves, “Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!”

John 2:16, NRSV

This Week: Pray for families in conflict. 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: Gabriel Francis Possenti (February 27).

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

16 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted March 4, 2018 4:49 am

    All that is owes its existence to God. I believe that. How it all happened / happens I do not fully know. Thank You Lord that we are able to see Your creation. I marvel at it everyday.

    Prayers for Marcy and Anneliese who desperately need medical help. Pray that Mary finds a new job, Julie’s hands and foot find relief, Lou makes her way with preparations to sell the house, Betsy finds peace and rest, and Jill’s Mom and Dad make good progress with their health. Prayers for Jill, her school, and her sister.

    Thankful to see the movie Gandhi last night, its a great tribute to an amazing man. Working my way through the results of a hacked bank account, have stopped it, now have to recover and make sure bills paid from it are covered.
    Many things in life have two sides to them – a positive and a negative. God will see me through. Pearl is doing well. Had a wonderful dinner last night. It was a cooperative effort.

    Church, choir, communion, and a class today. Blessings to the UR family as we journey through Lent.

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted March 4, 2018 7:06 am

      Thanks Robert for your prayers!

      May God protect your wealth and health. May all be well with Anneliese, Erich and you.

      Have a wonderful week ahead every one!

    • Awi Posted March 4, 2018 9:04 am

      Mahatma_Gandhi faith religion was Hindu. While he did not deny Christ He serve a Hindu God. Good works DO NOT ACCOUNT FOR AN AMAZING MAN. Nelson Mandela was also a man who was responsible for the killings of many Africans. Malcolm X also fought for right of blacks but by VIOLENCE. TBESE WE’RE NOT GREAT NOR AMAZING MEN. DO NOT ADMIRE OR BOAST ABOUT THOSE WHO DRESS IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING TO FOOL THOSE WHO DO NOT FOLLOW JESUS’ TEACHINGS. NOW MARTIN LUTHEE KING BILLY GRAHAM…THESE WERE GREAT MEN OF GOD. PEACE MY BROTHER.

      • robert moeller Posted March 4, 2018 4:23 pm

        To me Gandhi was an amazing man, he helped India achieve independence.
        I’ll leave decisions about who is a great man of God to God. That’s not for me to judge. Only God truly knows.

    • Marcy Posted March 4, 2018 6:34 pm

      Robert, sorry to hear of Annaliese’s setback. I’m praying for her along with you and Erich. Pearl sounds like a handful, that’s why her name was Bungee? Like Pearl better. Also, can’t imagine the bank account pain in the neck, hopefully caught before anything went missing. Glad you had a nice dinner last night. I think Gandhi was pretty awesome, by the way. Thank you for your comforting words and prayers, Robert.

      • robert moeller Posted March 5, 2018 1:35 am

        Marcy, surely hope and pray Medicaid and ACA Blue Cross Blue Shield come through for you and make possible the health care you need. God protect and guide you as you deal with them. Thank you for your prayers for Anneliese, I have not heard from her. Hopefully she is getting the treatment she needs.
        Pearl is a very active 4 year old, but she also takes long naps. Some habits are being changed, but all in all she is a wonderful cat, we are thankful to have her. Good progress with the banking problem, hope for more with a trip to the bank this morning. Aside from running a few trains I’ve been busy with other activities (followed hockey games, went for a walk, church, meal prep) and have paused on combine work. Should get back to it this week.

        Glad you made it back inside after that trip to the mailbox without oxygen. A lady at the gym has an oxygen supplying device she wears around her waist making movement and workouts possible.

        It’s sad that Gandhi’s India split into two, now three, countries based on religion and location. While primarily Hindu, he accepted other religions. His accomplishment was political.

        God be with you, prayers for healing and recovery. I’m reminded of a phrase used about Elizabeth Warren, “nevertheless she persists.” God will help you
        persist.

  • Jill Posted March 4, 2018 4:49 am

    Yes, Father – I seek the blessing of Your Presence. Stir my heart, focus my eyes, attune my ears, hold distractions at bay.
    Father – I lift Marcy to You – I know You are aware of all that is happening. And we want to trust You, Your ways. Might Your Spirit comfort her, might her needs be met. Break through. I ask that You provide her daily bread today.
    Grateful for the return of deep, restorative sleep. Grateful for abundant sunshine, despite chilly temps. Grateful for friends and loved ones showering my mom with get well cards and flowers…she needs the encouragement.

    • robert moeller Posted March 4, 2018 4:26 pm

      Thankful that Jill, her Mom, Dad, and hopefully sister too are getting rest, attention. It’s very much needed with all that has gone one there this week.
      Blessings to you and all the UR family.

    • Marcy Posted March 4, 2018 6:39 pm

      Jill, I’m praying for both your Mom and your Dad. You’ve all been through a lot lately! Prayers for you and your sister and just everything with teaching school and your well-being although I know your strength comes from God through your wonderfully strong connection to Him. God bless you and keep you.

    • Marcy Posted March 4, 2018 6:42 pm

      Jill, thank you for your prayers. I’m so weak right now! I am seeking His comfort every day as I pray through tears. They don’t stop!

  • Marcy Posted March 4, 2018 6:28 pm

    O God, I ask that You would heal me, at least enough to be able to attend church and go for walks again. I’m unable to walk out in Your creation, God.

    Loving UR siblings and friends, I tried to retrieve my mail without oxygen, barely got back up the 21 steps to my apartment. Fearful enough not to try that again. It seems the last four months, one thing after another hits me, and I can’t solve anything before the next one comes. Nevertheless, I’ve been doing okay, until this. Tomorrow I face another grueling day trying to get some kind of insurance reinstated before the oxygen company starts calling, not to mention the price of my prescriptions and Dr office calls to specialists. Everything stops and I’m afraid. There’s no reason this should have happened. Unfortunately, I’m in worse condition this year than last, and the Medicaid wasn’t revoked. The ACA Blue Cross Blue Shield has to pay for oxygen. I’m so tired, weak and sick. I’m sorry if I’m repeating myself and being a burden.

    Thank you, Jill, Robert, Andrea and Mary for your prayers. I’m an emotional mess!

  • Andrea Posted March 4, 2018 7:56 pm

    I offer this to my UR friends today:

    Isaiah 43:2
    When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
    and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
    when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
    and the flame shall not consume you.

    What a powerful Bible verse. It is echoed in this song by Rogers and Hammerstein, which many singers have recorded. I love Susan Boyle’s rendition, which can be googled.

    When you walk through a storm
    Hold your head up high
    And don’t be afraid of the dark
    At the end of the storm
    Is a golden sky
    And the sweet silver song of a lark
    Walk on through the wind
    Walk on through the rain
    Though your dreams be tossed and blown
    Walk on walk on with hope in your heart
    And you’ll never walk alone
    You’ll never walk alone
    Walk on walk on with hope in your heart
    And you’ll never walk alone
    You’ll never walk alone

    • April Posted March 5, 2018 8:39 am

      Thank you for this beautiful reminder of the presence of God in our lives all the time. I remember that this song was often sung at High School Graduations, I wonder if it still is. Blessings to my UR family, let us walk on today with the light of His presence.

      • robert moeller Posted March 8, 2018 6:16 am

        Yes, April, it is a wonderful song. I do not remember it being sung at any graduations I went too, but I surely think it makes very good sense to do that.
        The barrage of emails these days has me a bit behind in replying to posts.

  • Joan Posted March 4, 2018 9:36 pm

    I would like to have the reference for today’s writing, if possible.

    Marcy, prayers for your healing and for comfort.

    • Joan Posted March 4, 2018 9:38 pm

      Never mind! I see the book photo above – it didn’t show up in my email. Love this book. Thank you!

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