X

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

THERE’S A WONDERFULLY PERSONAL element in the way Jesus meets the women [at the tomb] and says, “Greetings!” One translation says, “Good morning.” It reminds me of the way Australians say, “G’day!” or the British say, “Cheers!”

The earthshaking promise of Easter is that God has not forsaken any of us. The risen Christ will meet us along the confused, chaotic, fearful paths of our lives and speak the same words the women hear at the tomb, “Do not be afraid.”

Too often we build our lives on the bedrock of fear: fear of terrorism, fear for the economy, fear of people who are different from us, fear of anything politicians tell us to fear in order to maintain power, fear of rejection, fear of sickness, fear of death. But the Resurrection shatters the power of fear. Because Christ is risen we no longer allow fear to dominate, control, or manipulate us. We don’t remain imprisoned in the tombs of our past failures or buried under the weight of present anxiety. In the risen Christ old things pass away and everything becomes new.

– James A. Harnish
Easter Earthquake

From pages 11-12 of Easter Earthquake: How Resurrection Shakes Our World by James A. Harnish. Copyright © 2017 by James A. Harnish. 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 old things have passed away from you. How has Christ made them new? Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

The people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we detest this miserable food.”

Numbers 21:5, NRSV

This Week: Pray persons who are experiencing new beginnings. 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: John of God (March 8).

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

13 Comments

  • Jill Posted March 5, 2018 4:03 am

    God has taken my racing thoughts, my out of control thinking – and banished them. Replaced is the placidity of His Love, Peace and Strength…so rich, so full, so calming. As I ponder this – I am so unworthy – yet He calls me righteous, desiring so much more for me. What Love is this?
    The part of the reading above, regarding fear – I feel so badly for the fear my mom lives with. To have seen it on such a grand scale these past few weeks – really tears at the heart. Father, I continue to request that her heart will be softened and she will trust You, Your ways, Your Sovereignty.
    Last evening, I played my first competitive team tennis match since July. It was so wonderful. So good to be back with my team. So good to have my competitive juices flowing again. My hands and feet seemed to hold up well. It also was a good stress reliever. So very grateful.

    • Marcy Posted March 9, 2018 10:02 pm

      God’s blessings from heaven to you, Jill. You need this respite. You are strong even in your rest!

  • robert moeller Posted March 5, 2018 6:15 am

    I have concerns, but they do not make me afraid, There has been progress with my hacked bank account, I expect more progress today. I will be at the bank soon. Thank You, Lord.

    Prayers of thanks for Jill’s tennis match. Yes, physical activity is very helpful in relieving stress. My walks help me too. Prayers for Jill’s Mom, Dad, and sister. Healing, relief, restoration are needed. Thank You, Lord.

    Prayers for Marcy, Anneliese, Julie and their medical problems. Lord, You are with them. I pray for Mary and a better job, for the WV teachers on strike for better pay and benefits. May the WV Senate and the teachers find a solution,
    Prayers for Connie and Robin, Andrea and Lowell, Rusty and K, Chloe and Paige, Lou and her children, Richard and Anne, Betty and Bob, Arnolds and Beverly, Kristin and Chris and for all couples in need of You, Lord. Prayers for Jenny and Erich that they accept the Lord in their hearts.

    Thankful for a new day and a new week. Lenten lunch at my church on Thursday.
    Peace be with you all,

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted March 5, 2018 7:10 pm

      Thanks Robert

      Blessings and your trip to the bank be fruitful

    • Marcy Posted March 9, 2018 9:59 pm

      Thank you so much for your prayets, Robert. Keeping you, Annaliese, Erich, and your church friends in mine.

  • Julie Posted March 5, 2018 8:03 am

    I have been better lately at not letting other people and their actions affect me or my response. I used to let evey little thing affect me and my mood, getting angry or frustrated often. I realized I and only I have a right to affect my mind and moods.
    Prayers for you, Robert, as you continue to deal with the bank. I pray it is finally resolved today.
    Prayers for Jill’s mother and family. This is indeed a fearful time for her and none of us know how we will respond in a situation that we have yet to live personally.
    Prayers for Mary and a new position. Prayers for her parents’ healing.
    Prayers for our dear sister, Marcy, I lift her and her fear and her insurance issues to you Lord.
    Good day yesterday with my daughter. Coninued pain, especially in fingers, but foot and knee a little better. Thank you again for your prayers. Seeing eye doctor today for yearly check. Feels like visiting an old friend. I went to his father who would talk about him and his education. Then he joined his father in practice and has been my daughter’s eye doctor since she was 2 years old.
    Blessings and prayers for each one of my UR family and your individual concerns.
    How like an Angel came I down.
    Thomas Traherne

    • Andrea Posted March 5, 2018 10:46 am

      Thanks for this quote, Julie. I love the poems I have seen by Thomas Traherne.
      Blessings.

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted March 5, 2018 7:12 pm

      Thanks Julie.

      Glad to hear that you have been better lately.

      Blessings

    • Marcy Posted March 9, 2018 9:53 pm

      Thank you for your prayers, Julie. I’m still praying for warm weather, even with the sstorms, so your fingers and toes don’t hurt you so much. God bless you, my friend!

  • Connie Posted March 5, 2018 8:31 am

    I heard a good sermon. It was about being so used to hearing scriptures that sometimes we “skim” through them. I think I am guilty of that at times, and my Lenten goal is “no skimming”.
    A lot of things have changed for me in the last couple of years. I am trying to adjust and accept and replace the changes with new outlooks. I’m not very good at it yet! However, I have “overcome” before and God is on my side.
    Julie, Jill, Robert and all…..Bless you this coming week.

  • Andrea Posted March 5, 2018 8:54 am

    In a boat during a tempest, Jesus commanded the fierce waves to subside, and the lake became still. How very human it is to have fear. Gracious God, be with Marcy, Julie, Jill’s mom, and all who experience fear in frightening circumstances. May they sense Jesus’ presence right beside them, commanding the waves to be still. May Your Loving hands calm their hearts and minds. May they receive necessary sustenance, support and resources. Loving God, shephard us through the darkness and through the fierce storms in our lives. We are Your sheep and You are loving and faithful to Your flock. May we sense that we are safe in Your care.

    Before I had a Lectio Divina passage, i used the mantra, “I am safe in God’s strong arms.” I will use this mantra with Marcy, Julie and Jill’s mom’s names.

    My husband still has a deep cough. He will see the doctor again today. I pray for his recovery. I pray to be a good support to him.

    With prayers for all who are experiencing new beginnings, and with prayers for all dear UR friends.

    • Marcy Posted March 9, 2018 9:50 pm

      Thank you, Andrea, belatedly. I am reading here that I should have no fears, but already the medicine for migraine prevention has run out and I’m suffering. Please continue to pray for at least Medicaid to be restored! I pray Lloyd’s cough diminishes and pray for God to keep you both safe and well!

    • Marcy Posted March 9, 2018 9:55 pm

      Andrea, so sorry, I meant Lowell. Don’t know any Lloyd’s! Must be my aching head!

Add Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *