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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

THANK YOU, Gracious God, for my home.

Thank you that even though your own son had no home, I have been blessed with a place to live. Thank you for its walls, its roof, its windows and doors.

…As I consider my home, I think of those who do not have walls, floors, ceilings, or a roof. I think of them, cold and shivering in the dark. I love my home, but my treasure isn’t in my possessions, in my home. …

And in my gratitude, O God, I also offer you a prayer for the homeless of this world —
those across the sea,
those in faraway lands,
those in other nations,
and those in my own backyard.

I don’t know how to pray for these people, Gracious God. I suppose I’d like to ask you to give a home to each person. I know you can do this only through your people.

I am one of your people. Open my heart so that I can share my wealth and prosperity with others.

Quiet Spaces

From pages 48–49 of Quiet Spaces: Prayer Interludes for Women by Patricia Wilson. Copyright © 2002 by Patricia Wilson. 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 are the homelessness ministries in your area? Pray today for those who are homeless near you. Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

Luke 24:36b, NRSV

This Week: pray for increased faith. 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: Dietrich Bonhoeffer (April 9).

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

10 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted April 14, 2018 5:31 am

    Yes, I am very thankful for a place to live. It stays dry when it rains, is warm when it’s cold. Prayers for the homeless here, there, and everywhere. Thankful to have been able to help and hope to do more.

    Thankful for a long walk yesterday up and down the higher hills in the area.
    More progress with benchwork shelves to organize the room. Pearl has been up, fed, and is wandering about.

    Rainy, snowy weather has postponed today’s railroad historical society meeting. A music oriented, hymn sing service at church tomorrow. Music
    is so powerful and moving.

    Prayers for Gloris, Larry, Jill and Becky, and the treatment; Marcy’s health insurance and recovery, Rusty and K’s treatment, Julie’s hands and foot, and her safety. Lou’s house purchase and move, Mary’s Dad’s birthday and .
    her job. Prayers for Andrea, her daughter, grandson, son-in-law, Lowell and visitors; Betsy and Grace, Chloe and Paige, Francesca her husband and son;
    Connie’s health, April, Joan, Mark, and Ken.

    Thankful to hear from Anneliese, she was sick for a few days, recovered, then did more than she should and has bad back pain. Erich is making progress with job applications, a new keyboard is coming, and Word is installed on his computer. Thank You, Lord for hearing our prayers prayed in the name of Your Son, Jesus. Amen and Amen.

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted April 14, 2018 6:35 am

      Thank you Robert

      Prayers for Erich that he never gives up and keeps trying till he gets the job most suitable for him

      Prayers for Anneluese’s back to be recovered soon

      Prayers for Robert’s progress on the bench work shelves to organize the room

      Thank you God for a place to stay, my parents’ house. Hope to have my own minimalist dream home one day

      Blessings to all

      • robert moeller Posted April 14, 2018 7:02 am

        Thank you, Mary! Quite wonderful to have such quick supportive responses.

        Blessings to you and your family.

  • Betsy Posted April 14, 2018 7:51 am

    We are so blessed to have warm homes. We’ve experienced strong storms over the past few days, and I can’t imagine not having a safe place to come to. We take so much for granted.
    Glad to hear of Annalise’s recovery from her back pain, Robert. That can be so debilitating. Prayers for Jill and her parents.
    Thank you, Lord, for family and friends who are our shelter and protection in our lives. So blessed to have such friends who visit here daily.

    • robert moeller Posted April 14, 2018 7:56 am

      Glad you have a warm strong place to shelter from storms, and yes, the support from the friends at this site is God-filled.
      Bless you!

  • Julie Posted April 14, 2018 8:12 am

    I thank God daily for my home which provides safety and shelter and protection from the elements. I often include prayers for those without homes.
    Betsy, I loved you interpretaion regardng the people in our lives, especially here, being our shelter as well. Thank you for sharing. Blessings and prayers for you and your family.
    Prayers for Robert, Erich and his job search, Pearl, and Annaliese and her health.
    Prayers for Mary and her parents. How is their health lately?
    Blessings and prayers for and thanks to all of the UR family, in Christ’s name, Amen
    I am only one,
    But still I am one.
    I cannot do everything,
    But still I can do something;
    And because I cannot do everything,
    I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.
    Edward Everett Hale

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted April 14, 2018 10:04 am

      Thanks Julie!

      My parents’ health is excellent at the moment.

      May all be well with you

      Blessings

    • Connie Posted April 15, 2018 9:25 am

      I love this, Julie. And thus, I will not refuse to do what I can do.

  • Kenneth Miller Posted April 14, 2018 11:39 am

    Blessings to all,
    I also share the same praise as today’s author, and say thank-you most gracious and loving God for my home here on earth too. However, I would like to share yet another home we all have yet to discover.
    I just finished reading another daily devotional book called “Jesus is Calling” by Sarah Young, perhaps you have heard of it or read it yourselves. Today’s message was about our heavenly home. At the end of our life-path is an entrance to heaven. You know that you will reach your home in My perfect timing: not one moment too soon or too late. The absolute certainty of your heavenly home gives you Peace and Joy to help you along your life’s journey.
    Prayers to all of you in this wonderful group of loving Christians and may your life journeys be blessed.
    Keeping Faith Alive!
    Ken

  • Ken Linscott Posted April 14, 2018 7:10 pm

    I belong to a small group called “Journey 21” which is part of our Presbyterian Parish in Timaru NZ. We meet once per month to study relevant items as we each journey in this wonderful world.
    I learned this morning that next Sunday the 22nd March is “Earth Day.”
    The first Earth Day in 1970 is considered to be the birthday of the modern environmental protection movement.
    We learned a lot about this movement, and in particular, as a Chief Seattle quoted; “The earth does not belong to us. We belong to the world.”
    That is a clear challenge to us to walk together as we journey. So blessings to you fellow travellers. Ken.

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