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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

DO YOU SOMETIMES get a sense that where you are right now isn’t where God intends you to be — that somewhere you took a wrong turn or headed in the wrong direction? Do you ever look around and ask yourself how you ended up where you are? Do you have moments when you wonder where God is?

Perhaps you’re feeling stuck in a rut of habit and complacency. All growth seems to have stopped in your job and in your relationships with family and friends. The trouble with a rut is that it’s comfortable. It’s easy. You don’t have to think. But underneath stirs this nagging feeling. ….

In our Christian walk, it’s only when we step off the broad and easy road that we discover the joys God has for us. It takes courage to leave the comfortable rut and step out boldly. However, this is when you feel that tingling sense of God with you as you begin to fulfill God’s purpose for your life — rather than just spinning your wheels in the same old place.


When You Come Unglued

From pages 16-17 of When You Come Unglued… Stick Close to God by Patricia Wilson. Copyright © 2007 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

How is God calling you to step out boldly? Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

“Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.”

Luke 24:39, 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

  • Jill Posted April 15, 2018 6:12 am

    I don’t know that He is asking me to step out boldly. Pray boldly, ask boldly – yes. But in the midst of this storm – rest in Him. Eyes on Him. Pray boldly – thought a lot this past week about Ephesians 3;20 – “Now to Him Who is able to do immeasurably more that we can ask or imagine…” Can I, do I ask Him for healing for my mom? Do I ask Him for minimal suffering for my mom? What does immeasurably more look like to Him in this situation? And, in the end, these four words…Thy Will Be Done. So hard, but so necessary. Too often, I stop before those four words even form in my brain. Father, forgive me – help me to desire Your Will above all things, help me to get there when I am unable to get there on my own.
    Got much needed rest this past week – deep, long lasting sleep every night – feeling much better physically. The total otherness of the beach was very good, as was the lack of a schedule and just slow, lazy days. With all of that came much time to think, read, pray and some tears, too. And much of His Presence.
    Mom seemed to have a pretty good week. Took a big step and went to a wig-maker. Her voice sounded strong all week. Today – she and dad are coming over for dinner. It has been a very long time since this has occurred.
    Grateful for safe travels. Grateful for my little guy Roger greeting me and giving me a week’s full of love since I arrived home. Good to be away, but very good to be home.

    • Andrea Posted April 15, 2018 8:00 pm

      Jill, I am so glad to hear you had a restorative vacation. I think, believe, that God accepts as a prayer exactly what you wrote above, that you do not know how to pray; that God wants us to ask for our heart’s desires; and that your desire for your mother to be cured, healed, to not suffer, are worthy things to ask God in your prayers. I know from the many comments you have made over the years that you desire God’s will, and God knows that.

  • robert moeller Posted April 15, 2018 6:53 am

    Jill, very glad you had a great restful helpful week at the beach and your Mom had a good week too. Your Mom is preparing for treatment. It is a blessing your parents are coming for dinner. This, Ephesians 3;20 – “Now to Him Who is able to do immeasurably more that we can ask or imagine…” Can I, do I ask Him for healing for my mom? Do I ask Him for minimal suffering for my mom? What does immeasurably more look like to Him in this situation? And, in the end, these four words…Thy Will Be Done. So hard, but so necessary, says it all. We all struggle in some way or another with well being here on earth and the promise of eternal life after this earthly existence.

    Jesus asks that, ” the cup be taken from Him,” but then says, Thy will be done.” As followers of Christ we are asked to do the same. We trust in God with a faith that tells us all will be well.

    Thankful for a hymn sing-music oriented worship today, progress with job hunting, applications are in, there has been an interview. The car has had needed maintenance, food shopping done, shelving being installed.

    A wintry mix today, 1.5 inches of new snow, some ice as well, a weather advisory. Just have to drive carefully and slowly, take extra time.

    Blessings to all on this second Sunday after Easter. We remember Easter every Sunday. Where would we be without Easter?

  • robert moeller Posted April 15, 2018 6:59 am

    I think God wants me to stay the course I’m on, provide support and be as constant as the Lord enables me to be. I’m a care giver, have been asked to do that, and will do the best I know how.

  • Lou Posted April 15, 2018 7:08 am

    This morning I do not understand what God is calling me to do – another major challenge has landed in my lap and I do not know what God wants of me. I just have to have faith- maybe that is just what God wants. I do not know. Prayers of healing, undertanding and peace for my youngest child.

    • robert moeller Posted April 15, 2018 7:13 am

      Prayers for you, Lou, and your youngest child. God most certainly is with you and your children . Yes, keep the faith, it is sustaining. Month after month, and year after year, it has kept me going, made it able to continue.

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted April 15, 2018 8:33 am

      Lou, keeping you and your youngest child

      May God increase your faith as you lean on Him.
      May His healing touch be upon your child.
      May there be peace, understanding and grace
      I commit Lou and her family into your hands, Lord
      May you protect them and provide for all their needs

      Blessings

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted April 15, 2018 8:07 am

    Thank you God for blessing our fellowship at my dad’s birthday celebration.

    Thank you for refreshing Jill and bringing her safely back.

    Blessings to all and have a wonderful week ahead

  • Connie Posted April 15, 2018 9:21 am

    Thankful for:
    Jill’s restful week and her Roger’s love.
    That Mary’s Dad had a good birthday.
    For Robert’s faithfulness.

    Lord, help Lou in any challenges she faces.

    Jill, I prayed hard for healing for my daughter and never stopped-God answered and now I pray “Thy will be done, I love you, Lord”. In your Mother’s life there could be a miracle in the making and you can proclaim it to His glory. Never give up. We love you and yours.

  • Andrea Posted April 15, 2018 9:52 am

    I have read that healing is not the same as cure, that healing can happen even when illness or difficult circumstances persist.

    The Thomas Merton prayer has been so helpful and solacing to me when I have felt stuck and unsure of what action to take:
    “My Lord God,
    I have no idea where I am going.
    I do not see the road ahead of me.
    I cannot know for certain where it will end.
    nor do I really know myself,
    and the fact that I think I am following your will
    does not mean that I am actually doing so.
    But I believe that the desire to please you
    does in fact please you.
    And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
    I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
    And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road,
    though I may know nothing about it.
    Therefore will I trust you always though
    I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.
    I will not fear, for you are ever with me,
    and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.”

    Prayers for you and your mother, father and sister, Jill. Prayers for Lou and her children and the challenges they face. For Robert, Erich and Anneliese; Mary and her parents and her new job; Julie and her home situation and health; Connie and her husband; for Marcy, for her health, support, and access to necessary resources; and for all UR friends.

    We are now digging out of a major snow storm. The winds were gale force and it was a complete white- out. Everything was cancelled metro- wide. Prayers for travellers whose flights and connections were interrupted and for all are unable to shovel sidewalks and driveways without help.

    Blessings to all on a very white Sunday. While it is truly beautiful, the greening of spring will be most welcome.

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