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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

NO ONE CAN turn back the hands of time. Instead of trying to recapture your youth, live fully and passionately every day. Don’t spend time worrying about your wrinkles and age spots. Instead, embrace your life as it is. What will you do to make your life more interesting and fulfilling?

“I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
—John 10:10

– Missy Buchanan
Spirit Boosters

From the devotion for June 24 from Spirit Boosters for the Journey of Aging: 366 Devotions by Missy Buchanan. Copyright © 2016 by Missy Buchanan. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

Do you worry about aging? What can you do to reduce that worry? Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD.

Psalm 130:1, NRSV

This Week: pray a prayer of praise every day this week. 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: Irenaeus (June 28).

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

12 Comments

  • Andrea Posted June 27, 2018 4:13 am

    I praise God for each day of life and awareness. I praise God for a beautiful three year old grandchild. I praise God for love and pray that I might love better.

    I have fear of aging and what it might entail. I have fear of losing my husband. I often have a disquieting general fear of something I cannot name, a kind of anxiety I guess. I know I am fortunate in so many ways.

    May I live each moment more passionately and love more fully.

    Prayers for UR friends. I give praise that God is here among us.

  • Jill Posted June 27, 2018 5:27 am

    I don’t fear aging. I have been aware of the blessedness of my family and the so very good health my parents have had for so long – over 60+ years of their marriage. I knew that a vast trial would be when they encountered illness. I believe my sister and I both prayed that when illness and trial came, it would be mom first, as she would have a most difficult time without dad. And now we live it out. Mom has likely feared aging for a long time, for sure she has dreaded it. She has lost several of her friends and a few others have serious afflictions. Dad, on the other hand, embraces life and is grateful, deeply grateful. Such a dichotomy in their viewpoints.
    Robert, rejoicing with you in your good news, so glad your heart is encouraged.
    Prayers for Marcy in her absence and always. Father – see to her needs.
    Two days of tennis camp have gone well – I am getting along fine with my fifth graders. I think today is going to be a wash out, I hear thunder in the distance.

  • robert moeller Posted June 27, 2018 5:32 am

    Unlike many reflection questions which I find challenging, today’s question was an easy answer. No I am not worried about aging. Have been aging since the day I was born. It’s a natural event, an expected activity.

    As a result I have no answer for the second question. I would only suggest to stay with the Lord for He has stayed with me. I have been more aware of that the last 21 years, but recognize the Lord’s work in the years before.

    Aging brings us new days and every day is a new opportunity to be spirit-filled. Thank You, Lord.

    Prayers for Gloria and Larry, Marcy, Rusty and K, Connie and her husband, Andrea and Lowell, Betsy, Lou, her Mom, and children, Mary, her parents and school, Jill and Becky. Prayers that everyone’s needs are met, you are filled with God’s love, and freely share it.

    Thankful for Arnolds and Clayton’s recovery from serious heart problems, prayers for Bob Jones, Richard White, and Joan Duffy. Each with different health issues, all life threatening.

    Prayers for wisdom and mercy that immigrant, refugee, and asylum seekers and their children will be treated civilly and not abused or neglected Families need to stay together, but not incarcerated.

    This has been a very busy night for Pearl with lots of curious roaming and rambunctious activity so while she can now rest, my waking hours begin.
    nap will come along sometime today.

    Blessings to all!

  • Betsy Posted June 27, 2018 6:56 am

    I don’t fear aging. I believe as Robert, that we begin that process from birth and it’s a natural part of life. With age comes experience and wisdom; for that I am grateful. We go from learning from others to mentoring those who are younger. I like that natural cycle.

    Glad you are enjoying working with your fifth graders this summer, Jill. That was my favorite age group to teach. As a teacher, it is often a refreshing experience to work with a different age group. I continue to lift up your sweet mother daily.

    My husband and I are grieving as a dear high school friend and her husband lay their son to rest today. He was a quadriplegic and suffered from breathing issues for years. He and his parents were an inspiration to many in our hometown. Please pray for strength for Denise and Jim.

    This morning I praise God’s handiwork. After terrific thunderstorms yesterday and last night, the sun is out and shining brightly. Thank you for the seasons and changing weather this day. Lord.

    • robert moeller Posted June 27, 2018 3:35 pm

      Prayers for you and your husband, Betsy; Jim and Denise, the parents of a quadriplegic son, who was laid to rest. That’s a very tough reality to face.

      Thankful Jill is enjoying her 5th graders. Having only taught high school students, I’m not sure how I would deal with younger students. I remember being in the 5th and 6th grade and liked those times.

  • Julie Posted June 27, 2018 7:49 am

    Thankful Jill is having success with her fifth graders. Continued prayers for her mother and the entire family.
    Thankful for Robert’s good news as well as his wise words on aging. Prayers for all those he has related need our prayers.
    Prayers for Andrea and her relationship with her daughter. Prayers for her grandson.
    Prayers for those Betsy told of us who are grieving the loss of their son.
    Please continue to pray for my daughter and myself. This place of not knowing is torture. I pray for a miracle, that God can change “husband’s” mind and heart and suddenly give him compassion. I never feared aging but now have dark thoughts and wonder about ….
    Blessings and prayers for aand thank you to all of the UR faithful and prayerful

    • Andrea Posted June 27, 2018 3:39 pm

      Thank you, Julie. I pray for all your needs to be met and for your fears to be allayed. I pray for transformation of your husband’s heart so it holds love and compassion. God bless you, your daughter, and your husband.

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted June 27, 2018 8:18 am

    I dont fear aging. I try to enjoy everyday.

    Grateful that another challenging is over. Tomorrow my colleague is on leave. Not sure how am i coping. Even today, with my colleague around, she kept saying she is busy so i straddling between my tuition class and another activities. Sometimes, i thought of quitting. This job doesnt pay well and yet i an doing two people’s work.

    Will pray about it. Hope things will improve next week

    Blessings

    • robert moeller Posted June 27, 2018 3:28 pm

      Mary, there’s a lot I don’t know about education in Singapore. What I have learned from your posts is that it s very demanding work with not enough people no matter where you teach. You are asked to be a multi-task able teacher far beyond what should be expected. Those of us who teach, or taught
      are very aware of that problem. Everyone thinks it is an easy job until you ask them to do it, then they look at the lower than expected pay and turn away.
      You are a teacher, it’s in you, that doesn’t mean you should have to be taken advantage of. I surely hope you are able to find an equitable solution.

    • Andrea Posted June 27, 2018 3:31 pm

      Mary, I completely agree with Robert and pray for a good resolution for you. God bless you.

      • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted June 28, 2018 6:39 am

        Thank you Robert and Andrea!

        God is good. Today, someone came for interview and she will be joining me on Monday.

        Otherwise, our poor cleaner also has to chip in and help to fetch and look after the students.

        I praise you God for your mercy and loving kindness!

        • robert moeller Posted June 28, 2018 6:47 am

          Thank You, Lord, help is on the way for Mary.

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