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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

THE LORD’S PRAYER contains two sections that help you reflect on and pray for a greater knowledge of God. The first line of the prayer, “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,” reminds you that you should enter into the presence of God with great reverence for the Almighty and personal humility in that holy presence. Later in the prayer, the line “Give us this day our daily bread,” reminds you of your reliance on God’s goodness. This triggers a sentiment of gratitude and leads you back to the humility that comes from admitting your absolute dependence on God. Using the Lord’s Prayer or the prayer below, you can speak with God.

Holy God, you encompass more than my senses and mind can comprehend. I know that I do not know, and all my words are not enough. But I have faith in your commandment to love you with all my senses, with all my mind, and all my soul. I believe that I am created in your image, and this gives me hope that you are near. Open my spirit to your goodness and mercy. Amen.

– Christopher Maricle
Deeply Rooted

“From pages 43-44 of Deeply Rooted: Knowing Self, Growing in God by Christopher Maricle. Copyright © 2016 by Christopher Maricle. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books.
http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

Pray the prayer at the end of today’s excerpt. Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

For dominion belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations.

Psalm 22:28, NRSV

This Week: pray 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: Anselm
(April 21).

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

6 Comments

  • Jill Posted April 25, 2018 3:46 am

    Yes, Father – open my spirit to Your goodness and mercy. I know You are good and merciful. Yet, my heart is angry – for there seemed such a void of these two things on Monday for my mom. But – they were there, You were there. Had her throat constricted on the way home, sitting in rush hour traffic – I don’t know what my dad would have done. Yes – mercy was evident that this occurred at the cancer infusion facility.
    I have tried to remain confident throughout all of these past two months – but, being truthful – I am questioning why Monday’s events played out as they did. Father – forgive my questioning heart, renew my spirit. Yes – God is good…all the time. All the time…God is good. (Isn’t that what Heidi would say…several years ago??)
    I was over with my folks yesterday after school. It is like the clock has been turned back to when she came home from the hospital. She was in bed all day and looked pretty pitiful. Dad said she did get up for breakfast and lunch, but she is incredibly weak and her hands were shaking quite a bit as she tried to eat. Dad is really low – he so longs for mom to find reason to have hope and sees how crushing this is to her mentally.
    UR friends – thanks for helping me carry this burden, for your prayers. I know He hears, I know this is all ordained by Him. There is a purpose.

  • robert moeller Posted April 25, 2018 7:18 am

    Jill, hear you loud and clear, understand your emotions. Monday was a very tough day. Thankful your Mom was able to eat even if with shaky hands. It is a challenge to have faith in this situation. God most certainly is with all of you.
    Thank God for that. Prayers for your Mom, Dad, you, and Becky.

    Thankful for today. Slept later than expected.

    Hopefully news about Anneliese today.

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted April 25, 2018 7:44 am

    Jill, keeping you and your family in prayer. May God be our souce of strength and hope during this very difficult time. May God’s presence be specially close to you and your family and may He surround you and your family with with His amazing love and grace.

    Lord, have mercy on us. Hear our prayers, O Lord!

  • Julie Posted April 25, 2018 7:55 am

    Jill, lifting your mother daily in my prayers as well as you and your father and sister. My heart goes out to all of you.
    I, too, try to give my fear and worries to the Lord completely, but find I still fear and worry. I know I should trust completely inHim, but it is difficult for me, I am only human.
    Robert, praying you hear from Annaliese. Prayers for you, Erich and Pearl.
    Mary, I lift you and your parents to the Lord daily. May He strengthen and bless you.
    Blessings and prayers for and thanks to all of the UR family
    Today I have grown taller from walking with the trees.
    Karle Wilson Baker

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted April 26, 2018 7:31 am

      Thanks so much dear Julie!

      May God’s presence be so close to you and your family!

      May all your fears and anxieties be removed! May you be filled with joy and peace instead!

      Blessings

  • Andrea Posted April 25, 2018 8:14 am

    Jill, my prayers are with you and your parents and sister in this difficult time. It is a blessing that your faith is strong.

    The prayer in the reflection is beautiful. “Open my spirit to your goodness and mercy.” I pray these words today. I pray for strong faith, for myself, for UR friends, and for all who visit UR.

    Blessings.

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