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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

MATTHEW REPORTED that early on Easter morning, “There was a great earthquake” (28:2). And nothing in this world has ever been the same. The Resurrection shifted the center of gravity in our lives so that everything we think about our world and our lives has changed. The empty tomb is God’s confirmation that the way, truth, and life revealed in Jesus Christ is the way the whole creation will be saved.

– James A. Harnish
Easter Earthquake

From page 108 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

Has this Easter changed shifted your perspective? How? Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!

Psalm 133:1, NRSV

This Week: Give thanks for the Risen Lord. 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: Martin Luther King, Jr. (April 4).

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

10 Comments

  • Jill Posted April 3, 2018 3:43 am

    I would say my perspective has changed a bit over the past 6 weeks, and Easter just happened to be in that time space. I was grateful for the events of last week, in some ways an ironic coinciding with events tied to my family. It was special to gather with new friends and acquaintances who have become increasingly integral in my new church home. As I try to accustom myself to my family’s “new normal” – I am trying to “not cling to” what is past, yet cherish it tremendously, and count on it to see us all forward.
    Got much accomplished at school yesterday. March passed in a blur and there are deadlines to meet this week, before spring break. Grateful for small group last evening.

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted April 3, 2018 4:40 am

    As i mature, i am beginning to see things from a different perspective. I learn to treasure family and friends more.

    Today, i spent time with my parents, peeling oranges for them and fed my mum. Also, i brought my nephew out for a meal.

    Blessings to all

  • robert moeller Posted April 3, 2018 7:46 am

    May faith is secure. Easter has made that surer.
    Had a good and safe trip to Brroklyn and have had a wonderful time playing with my granddaughters this morning. Waffles for breakfast, an email to my son. Getting ready for what’s next today.

    Prayers for strength, courage, and wisdom as the UR family and family members face the challenges of the day and week. God can and will help us through them. God asks that we lean on Him. What a blessing that is.

    Thankful for posts I received while on the train yesterday. It was quite an interesting day and trip.

    • Julie Posted April 3, 2018 7:52 am

      Thankful for safe travel and quality time spent with family for you, Robert.

  • Julie Posted April 3, 2018 7:49 am

    Going back to church after such a long absence was quite wrenching and moved my soul in many ways. Still trying to process. I am not comfortable with the changes or the new pastor. But many people greeted me warmly and I had a nice chat with a woman I always liked and respected.
    Mary, you are such blessing to your parents. I pray for them and you.
    Jill, prayers for your family and your collective new normal.
    Blessings and prayers for and thank you to ALL of the UR family
    ‘Tis always morning somewhere in the world.
    Richard Henry Hengist Horne

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted April 4, 2018 12:56 am

      Thanks Julie!

      Glad to hear that you went back to church after a long time.

      May you enjoy the fellowship and worship services.

      Blessings

  • Andrea Posted April 3, 2018 10:08 am

    Praying for my heart to be more open, my patience and tolerance stronger.

    Praying for my daughter and SIL as they parent a very bright 3 y.o. My daughter struggles with IBS, fatigue, anxiety, ups and downs.

    May the Resurrection spirit dominate our souls.

    Blessings and prayers.

  • Kenneth Miller Posted April 3, 2018 3:54 pm

    Easter blessings to all. My name is Ken and this is my first posting to this UR site. I was compelled too after reading today’s UR Daily Reflection called Resurrection Shift and wanted to share something that has really had a profound shift in my Easter perspective. Maybe yours too?

    Empty Tomb or Open Space?
    Now that we have all experienced another Easter, I was paging through my journal today and came across this really profound thought provoking piece about Jesus’s tomb from an article I read in Ministry Matters in 2014. Enjoy and ponder….

    Maybe it’s not the things that catch our eye that are really real. Maybe the most real thing in the world is the empty tomb. And maybe empty is not the best word to describe what it is. Empty space implies a lack, as if the only thing to say about the tomb is that the body is missing. But what if it’s open space—open to possibility and God’s new thing? Ministry Matters 4-9-14

    Keeping Faith Alive,
    Ken

    • Andrea Posted April 3, 2018 4:51 pm

      Thank you Ken, that is lovely and indeed thought- provoking. Blessings!

  • robert moeller Posted April 4, 2018 1:55 am

    Thank you Julie for your post to me and for your report about going to church. Over time some things change. God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit remain constant in their love for us. I’m glad that church was not totally disappointing. There are positives in your report.

    A wonderful observation Ken. I agree. As Christians we are delighted to find an empty tomb. Christ is alive. Opportunities exist.There is hope and a future.

    Had more wonderful time with Willa and Oona. Had a good walk and made it to the post office. All is well with Erich and Pearl.

    Prayers for a member of a nearby church who lost her house, barn, and cows in a fire on Easter. Help is being organized.

    Prayers for the UR family, hope to hear from Marcy and Rusty.

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