X

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

IF YOU DESIRE to seek the presence of God in your life, be silent and rest in prayer. Only through this interior quiet can you truly listen for Jesus.

Why is silence necessary for listening, and what happens when we enter into the silence of solitary prayer? We begin to let go of ourselves, which allows us to hear God.

God is very gracious and patient. God does not usually interrupt us or push rudely into our affairs. If we choose to ignore God, God allows that. Such is the humility of a God who died on a cross.

Therefore if we wish to pray – and by this I mean open ourselves up to the possibility that God will speak to us, teach us, transform us – we must allow space in the busy world we have created. Like the ones who went into the desert, we must go to a place where the world does not overwhelm us.

– Daniel Wolpert
Creating a Life with God

From page 29 of Creating a Life with God: The Call of Ancient Prayer Practices by Daniel Wolpert. Copyright © 2003 by Daniel Wolpert. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

Describe a time when you were silent during prayer. Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

We love because he first loved us.

1 John 4:19, 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

11 Comments

  • Jill Posted April 28, 2018 5:25 am

    I strive for silence, without having my mind wander, each early morning. The second part is the kicker. Keeping my mind still, yet focused – not easy for me. Sometimes I try to use mental imagery to help with my focus.
    May this weekend be refreshing and Spirit filled for all UR visitors.

  • Sonya Graves Posted April 28, 2018 6:30 am

    Good morning Jill, Thank you for sharing. I am not good in this area,, but GOD is making me better, Have a wonderful weekend too!

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted April 29, 2018 1:25 am

      Welcome Sonya!

  • robert moeller Posted April 28, 2018 6:48 am

    Trying to be silent still is a very big challenge. I acknowledge many other thoughts as I try to be silent. The Lord knows I need help with it.

    Welcome Sonya, thank you for your post.

    Prayers for Gloria, Larry, Jill and Becky. Hope to hear from Marcy, Rusty, and Heidi. Prayers for Connie, Lou, Betsy, Julie, Andrea, Francesca, April, that their needs and concerns be met with God’s wisdom. Thankful for the blessings that God has bestowed on them and all of the UR family and beyond.

    Hopeful for a walk despite predictions of rain. Thankful for good meals, progress on a translation, train layout track screwed down, and resources to help others.

    The new tenant, Melanie, has started moving in. She will be a big help for Anneliese.

    Have a wonderful Friday and a lovely weekend. Sunday there is a dinner to raise funds for the Wallace family who lost homes, barn, and cows on Easter.
    Thank You, Lord, for the outpouring of Your love.

  • Julie Posted April 28, 2018 8:20 am

    I haave trouble also keeping my mind still and quiet. Good to know that I am not alone in this aspect.
    Wecome to Sonya.
    Hope you and your family are able to rest and encourage your mother this weekend, Jill. My prayers continue for all of you.
    Robert, on what type of translating are you working? I pray for you, Erich and Anneliesse. It is raining here today as well. Do you read Guideposts? I just read an article that reminded me of your description of Erich’s reluctance to embrace religion.
    Blessings and prayers for and thank you to all of the UR family
    There are many great deeds done in the small struggles of life.
    Victor Hugo

    • robert moeller Posted April 28, 2018 9:16 am

      Julie, I am familiar with and like Guideposts, but am not reading it these days. Thanks for thinking of Erich and his reluctance with God, Jesus, the Bible, and faith.

      I’m translating the guide to castle ruins located near Schenklengsfeld in the German state of Hessen. The castle, called Burg Landeck is located on the hill with the same name. It was built in 1274 and ruined in the 1525 Peasant’s War. Its purpose was to protect the abbey at Hersfeld, today called Bad Hersfeld. The ruins of that abbey still exist and are used as a backdrop to a theatre festival held every summer. The abbey was the largest romanesque monastery north of the Alps founded by Lullus in the 800s.

  • Connie Posted April 28, 2018 8:43 am

    I am often very “fidgety”. I try not to be. When I sit down to eat, by the time I get all the silverware, food, etc. lined up, the food is cold! My husband is already done eating! As I have said before, when I want complete privacy and silence I go into the coat closet by the front door and squeeze in there-my zone of solitude.
    Julie, how ironic, my puzzle from the paper had a quote from Victor Hugo.
    Blessings to all.

    • robert moeller Posted April 28, 2018 9:21 am

      Connie, I eat slowly, but don’t let the food get cold before I’m done. I think eating slowly is better for digestion.

      When I had my most powerful fulfilling experience some 20 years ago, I too went into a closet, to study, pray, and read the Bible. It’s where my Quiet Time began. These days there is no closet, but I am in a room alone for QT.

    • April Posted April 28, 2018 11:10 am

      Oh Connie, I am so sorry to hear of your cousin passing. I am trying to think of a song that would connect with you at this time. I am thinking of these last 2 verses of Hymn of Promise:
      There’s a song in every silence,
      seeking word and melody;
      there’s a dawn in every darkness
      bringing hope to you and me.
      From the past will come the future;
      what it holds, a mystery,
      unrevealed until its season,
      something God alone can see.

      In our end is our beginning;
      in our time, infinity;
      in our doubt there is believing;
      in our life, eternity.
      In our death, a resurrection;
      at the last, a victory,
      unrevealed until its season,
      something God alone can see.
      Blessings to my UR family as we start the weekend.

      • Connie Posted April 29, 2018 8:48 am

        I love those verses, April………. “Something God alone can see”
        Thank you.

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted April 28, 2018 9:00 am

    When i went for my personal retreat, i seek God for His guidance, i would be silent, read God’s word and journal. It is kind of waiting upon the Lord and listening to Him.

    Blessings to all and may all be well

Add Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *