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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

A COUNTRY BOY attended a formal dinner party. When the scalding-hot mashed potatoes touched his tongue, he spat them back out onto his plate. Looking up at the other guests, he said, “You know, some fools would have swallowed that.”

That’s evidently what folks in Corinth say when they hear Paul preaching about a crucified Christ [1 Corinthians 1:18-25]. Paul uses the word from which we get the word moron. The idea of a crucified savior is a contradiction in terms. You’d have to be a fool to believe it.

Paul says that some folks look for signs, miracles, or estoteric experiences. Others look for rhetorical wisdom that will confirm their assumptions or provide theological justification for their prejudices. But Paul dares to believe that the moronic word of the cross is God’s power that is stronger than human strength and God’s wisdom that is wiser than human knowledge.

– James A. Harnish
Easter Earthquake

From page 61 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 is powerful about Paul’s image of Christ crucified? Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Psalm 51:7, 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

8 Comments

  • Julie Posted March 15, 2018 8:01 am

    As an individual with several advanced degrees in varous science disciplines, accepting anything merely on words is against my nature. However, I was taught during Catechism classes that our belef should be based faith. We need to believe the words of the Bible with our hearts rather than our heads. Faith does not make sense and that is its beauty.
    Blessings, prayers, and thank you for all the UR family who visit, post and share
    Paradise on Earth is whre I am.
    Voltaire

  • April Posted March 15, 2018 8:33 am

    I learned yesterday that a co-worker has been in constant pain for almost 2 weeks and cannot sleep at night. She looked so tired and moved so carefully so as to not make the pain worse. I immediately thought of those in our UR family who also suffer with pain as I spoke with her and looked into her eyes. This week we are asked to pray for those who experience chronic pain. I lift you all up in prayer. Blessing.

  • Connie Posted March 15, 2018 8:48 am

    “Whiter than snow”…..we have a few patches of snow left and they are still white. However, some are less white and muddy. Lord, help me to be “whiter than snow” and not the muddy mix. Purge me with Hyssop. Amen
    April, I also talked with a neighbor yesterday who is in pain. Pain steals her sleep and her energy and I am praying for her. Prayers for your co-worker also.
    Prayers for families….Jill’s, Mary’s, Lou’s, Robert’s and all who have shared here. “Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in human love”.
    (Julie, love your quotes.)

    • April Posted March 15, 2018 7:50 pm

      Thank you Connie for prayers for all. We have no snow here now, the sky is blue with fluffy white clouds. Sweet dreams to all.

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted March 15, 2018 11:48 pm

      Thanks Connie for your prayers

      Please pray for good tenants and rental as our tenants are moving out this month

      Blessings to all and may all be well with you

      • Connie Posted March 16, 2018 8:25 am

        Will do.

        • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted March 16, 2018 9:02 am

          Thanks dear Connie

          May God bless you abundantly

  • robert moeller Posted March 15, 2018 9:45 am

    There may come a day when science, math, and history provide the proof so many humans hunger for, but this scripture passage and Jesus’ words about wheat dying to provide a harvest tell the story of faith. Faith is a truth too.

    Those suffering from chronic pain need to be lifted up daily. I know people who suffer from this and present the warmest countenance. Pain saps your energy. Lord, You are able to sustain those with chronic pain without narcotics. Thank You, Lord.

    I’m very thankful that Anneliese made it to the doctor despite the snow and the doctor was able to monitor three episodes she had at the office. Ablation and electric shock to restore a regular heart beat are prescribed. She has medication to take and will see a second doctor on the 24th

    Isis is home, Pearl is keeping us active and entertained..She’s a very loveable cat.

    Lenten lunch today, less snow, the driveway was plowed yesterday. Time to get ready.

    Blessings and prayers for all.

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