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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

THOUGH I MIGHT stub my toe and lose my balance, though I might tumble on the floor and fracture a bone, I will never fall out of your reach, precious Lord. Never.

– Missy Buchanan
Talking with God in Old Age: Meditations and Psalms

From page 45 of Talking with God in Old Age: Meditations and Psalms. Copyright ©: 2010 by Missy Buchanan. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

Set aside time to be aware of the nearness of God today. Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.

Psalm 51:1, NRSV

This Week: Pray for persons who experience chronic pain. 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: Patrick of Ireland (March 17).

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

19 Comments

  • Jill Posted March 14, 2018 3:21 am

    Yes, My Lord is near. He sustains me each day. How I need Him.
    I am so grateful for my mom’s surgeon, how she speaks with mom, the tender care she provides. I am not sure my mom even receives it, but I sure appreciate her “bedside manner”. Mom was so distraught at the doctor’s office yesterday. Nevertheless, the staples were removed – the doctor was so very encouraged by how the wound looked and is healing. She encouraged mom to begin to transition back to normal activities. I hope, with dad’s persistent encouragement, this can begin. I am skeptical though, because mom is so down. In the words of the doctor “lymph nodes were affected” – and that is all the further she went with that…leaving it up to the oncologist appt next week for us to get further information. Searching a few reputable (in my opinion) cancer sites, this isn’t the best news moving forward. But, the doctor coupled that statement with “I would expect you to have a long time of good quality of life”. So, until we see the oncologist a week from tomorrow – we are left to interpret those statements in our own way, I suppose.
    So I lean into James 5:16…the fervent prayers of a righteous man availeth much. Thank you, UR family for your continued support.
    Grateful for a good night’s sleep, amidst so many thoughts coursing through my mind.

  • robert moeller Posted March 14, 2018 5:32 am

    Thanks be to God for the medical care Jill’s Mom received, the wonderful bedside manner of the doctor, the good healing of the wound, and the words, “I would expect you to have a long time of good quality of life”. Prayers for an uplifting of Gloria’s spirit.

    Prayers for Jill, Becky, and their Dad, Larry as they support and care for Gloria. God’s peace to all of you.

    Prayers for Julie, her physical, mental, and spiritual health, her daughter, and a resolution of the tough relationship with “the husband.” Julie, your action toward your husband is what Jesus would have you do and you did it. You are blessed by what you did. Granted it did not produce the desired results, but you were right to do as you did and great in heaven is your reward.

    Thankful for posts from Andrea, Marcy, and Mary. Sharing support for each other is a blessing. You and your family are in my prayers.

    Have some work to do to be on the road today, lots of snow, and the prediction more is coming.

    • Marcy Posted March 14, 2018 1:05 pm

      Robert, I hope the weather doesn’t keep Annaliese from seeing her heart doctor today. I pray the medical professionals get to the bottom of this, especially the heart palpitations. Also, body cramps are extremely painful, as I can attest to personally.

      I tried to look up the Landecker layout, but was unable to find anything. They show other layouts. Is is a collector’s item? I hope you receive the roof walk (how neat) soon for the Canadian National boxcar soon so you can complete it. I was wondering, how do you decide what to sell from your collection? It is refreshing for me to talk trains a little, Robert. Thank you!

      When I received my three other cats ashes, they included a little cross inside and a sympathy card. I also received one from my vet. One year later, they sent me another one. I don’t have that vet anymore, and I miss them. I had five cats at one time! I know the loss of Isis is still fresh, and I pray that Pearl entertains both you and Erich. It sounds as if she’s doing her job! Your description of her is beautiful. My cat, Lucy, an orange tabby with gold eyes, is a handful! She has some genetic issues with her teeth, she only has her large teeth, none of the little ones. When I adopted her from the shelter, I almost adopted her neighbor, Sooty, a black male with a white spot on his chest. He looked just like my Trevor McGee. (What a name!) It’s a good thing I didn’t adopt Sooty as I’m allowed only one cat here. God knows best, in the small things, too!

      Thank you for your prayers, for me as well as others. I will continue to pray for you, Erich, Annaliese and Pearl. I am grateful for the conversation.

      • robert moeller Posted March 15, 2018 4:25 am

        Thank you for your prayers!

        Anneliese made it to the doctor’s office, had three episodes while there, the doctor monitored them and retrieved information from the monitor. Heart ablation is needed. New meds given to help. She will see another doctor on the 24th. Home safe and sound.

        I will be very surprised if you find a Landecker layout. It is a name I gave my layout based on the area where my family comes from in the northeastern part of the German state of Hessen. A hill with the ruins of a castle is the Landecker and the area is called Landecker Amt. For a short time, relatively speaking, a railroad called the Hersfeld District Railroad ran through Landecker Amt. My layout is influenced by this railroad, but also by trains that ran a bit earlier when my great grandfather still lived there. There is also a set of cars from the Langenschwalbach near Wiesbaden and another set from a railroad near Darmstadt. All are in today’s Hessen.

        There are a few factors that are helping me decide what needs to go: space, is it s duplicate, and accuracy.

        Keeping ashes of beloved cats is a new concept. It is something my son wanted to do. He very dearly loves Isis, picking up the ashes was tough for him. The connection between him and Isis was very special, strong, almost spiritual. There have been other cats, Tiger, Black Cat, before Isis and Pearl.
        Isis helped Erich through some very tough times.

        • Marcy Posted March 15, 2018 8:24 am

          I am glad Annaliese was able to get to the dr yesterday. Now they know what is to be done. And the new medication will help, I pray. I hope so, for both her sake and yours.

          Ahh, no wonder I couldn’t find the Landecker layout as it is a location. That whole area in Germany sounds so pleasant when you describe it.

          I was extremely close to Little Guy. I still miss him like I do my parents, as strange as that may sound. He and I barely escaped with our lives together, yet he never met someone he didn’t like. If a friend came over who was upset, he would comfort them, just go jump in their lap and lay down, even if he didn’t know him. If it was me, he would put his paws around me, get as close as he possibly could, and purr.

          • robert moeller Posted March 15, 2018 8:58 am

            Bad Hersfeld is the biggest city near Landecker Amt, it has the ruins of the largest Romanesque monastery north of the Alps, a place where Luther visited on his way back to Saxony. Schenklengsfeld is the biggest town in Landecker Amt. As much as here a many good things about this area where my family comes from, the Holocaust eliminated the Jewish community in Schenklengsfeld before WW2 and only restored buildings and a cemetery remain. This area of Hessen was hard hit in the Peasant’s War and 30 Years War and was taken over during Napoleon’s time. . When my ancestors left there was a blight causing the end of flax production and linen weaving. Nearby salt mines were used by the Nazis to store gold and art they accumulated. It was recovered by American forces. This is an area of rolling hills and forests called the Fulda Gap and was the area projected to be the invasion route the Soviets would take if they invaded. It borders what was East Germany. Have to take the good with the bad.

          • Marcy Posted March 15, 2018 9:07 am

            I understand better, now. Thanks for the conversation, Robert. Not a good day. God bless you!

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted March 14, 2018 5:53 am

    Thanks Robert!

    Jill, keeping you, your mum and dad in prayers

    May all be well with everyone

    Blessings

  • Julie Posted March 14, 2018 7:54 am

    Robert, I shed tears of gratitude as I read your post. Thank you for saying the words I needed and didn’t even know. I must do what is right for me and my soul. But walk a fine line due to the necessity of maintaining my emotional well-being. Prayers for your safety as you deal with the snow.
    Jill, so wonderful that your mother has a kind medical professional. Many I have encountered can be rushed. Prayers for an equally kind oncologist.
    Prayers for you Mary as you care for your parents. Prayers for them and for your new job.
    Blessings and prayers and thanks for each of the UR family and their concerns shared and not
    Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the single candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.
    Bukkyo Dendo Kykai
    The Teaching of Buddha

    • Marcy Posted March 14, 2018 1:15 pm

      Julie, thank you for praying for us here in the UR family. I truly wish you the very best and pray that God steps in and leads you to happiness. Another month or so, and we should be warming up, helping you heal! I care very much about you, Julie, and will be keeping you and your daughter in my prayers. Much Love to you, my friend.

    • robert moeller Posted March 15, 2018 4:43 am

      There’s a lot to spirituality , better known to me as God, that I don’t understand, can’t explain, but am sure is true and exists, Julie. To the best of my knowledge it can’t be proven by science, history, or math, but it definitely present and has power. Jesus, Emanuel, God with us, taught us and exemplified God in a way humans could understand.

      I believe all people search for God, understand God in different ways, and should be respected for that, but for me Christ is the only way, truth, and life.
      I have less than a rudimentary understanding of Buddhism despite living in Korea. Buddha did not say he was a God, but in East Asia he is considered a god.

      Peace, healing, and pain relief to you now and always from the One who keeps us from falling.

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted March 14, 2018 8:34 am

    Thanks so much dear Julie

    Keeping you in prayer too

    May all be well with you

    Blessings

  • Andrea Posted March 14, 2018 9:38 am

    Julie, I love the quote you give us today.

    Jill, you and your family are encircled in the prayers of your UR friends.

    We are all encircled in the prayers of UR friends.

    Thank you, Gracious God, for this holy site and the prayers warriors who gather here.
    Blessings

    • Marcy Posted March 14, 2018 1:19 pm

      Thank you for your prayers for us, Andrea. You are a kind and gentle person appreciated by all. God’s light surely shines through you! God bless and continued prayers for you and your family.

  • Marcy Posted March 14, 2018 11:56 am

    Hello to you all in this loving space of encouragement, sent straight from God, our Father Almighty. I am blessed to know you and so are all who come here in distress or joy. I am thankful for the prayers of he UR family; through them I am sustained and uplifted.

    From today’s reflection: “….I will never fall out of your reach, precious Lord. Never.” Comforting and reassuring words indeed. I spend my days in nearness to God. It’s a blessing to be able to open the day with intercessory prayers. Then on to devotionals, Bible study, coming to all of you and generally spend entire days with God. I’m able to pray on migraine days, but no reading. It’s the “silver lining” of my situation. Thanks be to God.

    Praying for the school kids around the country today as they remember the seventeen lives lost in Parkland, Florida. I am praying for the families and friends of those who lost their lives, for God’s healing presence and loving comfort to be manifested in them.

    And these three remain: Faith, Hope and Love, and the greatest of these is LOVE!

  • Marcy Posted March 14, 2018 12:16 pm

    Dear Jill, it is wonderful that your Mom’s doctor is so gentle and generous with her time. I will be fervently praying about Gloria’s lymph nodes, that nothing serious has been found, and that the oncologist can provide good answers. The statement that the doctor made about her having a long time with a good quality of life is uplifting. I will be keeping you, your Mom, Gloria, your Dad, Larry, your sister Becky in my prayers, as always, Jill. Maybe your furry friend, Roger, can curl up beside you tonight. My Lucy performs her duties as my therapy animal very well! I am also sending my Love to you, straight from my heart, to yours.

  • Marcy Posted March 14, 2018 1:22 pm

    Sweet sister Mary, keeping you and your parents in my prayers! I meant to ask you, what does your new job entail?

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted March 15, 2018 11:40 pm

      Thanks dear Marcy!

      I am giving tuition and teaching creative writing

      Blessings

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