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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

IN THE RESURRECTION, God in Christ has given second wind to prayers that have not gone answered as we hoped and to those who have not been healed as we sought—and to a realm that, while long deferred, will bring holy purposes to chosen fulfillment.

– John Indermark
Gospeled Lives

From page 73 of Gospeled Lives: Encounters with Jesus, A Lenten Study by John Indermark. Copyright © 2008 by John Indermark. 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 holy purposes are you seeing fulfilled? Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.

1 John 3:23, NRSV

This Week: pray for your neighbor. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.

Did You Know?

Help the middle schoolers in your church experience God’s love, empower your high schoolers in leadership, and engage every generation in youth ministry. Learn more at Discovery.UpperRoom.org.

This week we remember: Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz (April 17).

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

7 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted April 20, 2018 5:03 am

    I am alive and able to help others. Thank You, Lord!

  • robert moeller Posted April 20, 2018 5:17 am

    I was once told I spent too much time in the past. I think it is possible to do that, and hope I really don’t. We are reminded during communion as often as we eat the bread and drink the wine to do it in remembrance of Jesus. That is vitally important. Yesterday I remembered an event leading up to my wedding, and today I remember that wedding.

    Thankful that there is progress in Erich’s job hunt. Hope he finds a job that works for him. Thank you for your prayers. I pray for your needs and concerns for I believe there is power in prayer.

  • Jill Posted April 20, 2018 6:25 am

    Not to be a contrarian, but this question nags at me a bit…for I feel like there is a holy purpose I am questioning. Maybe not a “holy purpose”, but a situation in the midst of my mom’s situation that is, quite frankly, increasingly frustrating for me. There are many emotions evoked when I think about my relationship with my sister. On one level, I am saddened that we can’t support each other…or at least it doesn’t feel like it once could have been. Our views on spirituality seem to diverge more and more. Anymore, when I finish a phone conversation with her – I feel like the guy on the Geico commercial who is banging his head on a beam in a barn. Just repeatedly hitting his head as hard as he can. Sometimes it is all I can do to not throw the phone across the room. Yet, like the fellow, I keep returning and trying to – what, persuade – her? We just see things so utterly differently.
    I know God is faithful and is sustaining my dad through this. Mom is not as weepy as she had been, but still has times throughout the day when she questions why this has happened and just cries. I know this weighs so heavily on dad – I just hope he is not wavering in his faith. He still attends church and I am so grateful for the interaction he has there. He attends a Tuesday morning men’s Bible study. And today is their once a month Bible study gathering with a group of friends from their old church. Mom is not going today – I am going to take her shopping a bit while dad is at the study this afternoon. I encourage dad to stay in the moment – just taking on the day…not looking too far down the road. And to trust God will provide daily bread.
    Prayers for wisdom and endurance for Erich as the job search continues. How fortunate he is to have your unwavering support, Robert. Your faithfulness reminds me of my dad.

    • robert moeller Posted April 20, 2018 6:53 am

      Spiritually I think my son and I may be more like you, Jill, and your sister. I believe. I don’t need historical evidence of Jesus, the apostles. I have felt experienced God and feel God’s support. Erich needs physical, scientific, historical proof. I believe there are spiritual truths that don’t rely on physical evidence. Having said that, I’m reminded that Jesus told the disciples to examine his wounds and see that He was alive. He asked for something to eat and ate a piece of fish.

      I am very anxious to see Erich find a job and make progress. He needs help and will have it.

      I’m thankful that you, Jill, shared your concerns. Prayers for God’s guidance and support for you, your Mom, Dad, and sister.

  • Julie Posted April 20, 2018 8:12 am

    Perhaps I am missing some key piece of the story but I fail to see why spiritual philosophical differences prevent you and your sister from working together for the good of your parents, Jill. Not one of my family members shares my deep faith. Some attend church, but that is the extent of their faith. My daughter does not believe of attend church. We do not discuss religion. They are not receptive and family love is important. I have never believed that I should impose any of my viewpoints on others. Just as I would not want them to try to push theirs on me. We respect one another’s life choices. You tow need to act as a team for your parents.
    Prayers for you Robert. I,too, tend to dwell in the past and strugge with how much is appropriate. Prayers for Erich.
    Blessings and prayers for and thank you to all of the UR family.
    Do a deed of simple kindness; though its end you may not see, it may reach, like widening ripples, down a long eternity.
    Joseph Norris

  • Connie Posted April 20, 2018 8:49 am

    Yes, a “second wind for prayers”. I always used to get a “second wind”, a restoration of energy in the afternoon, but that time is gone. However, my prayers stay strong, and when they don’t, my prayer-ers step in!
    The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and I am happy. Wishing all of you a good day.

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted April 20, 2018 9:26 am

    Grateful for the weekends and another fruitful day.

    Blessings to all and may all be well with you 🙂

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