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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

BLESSED GOD, I use this day as an occasion to look back upon the week I have lived. In doing so, I trace the footprints of your presence with me. I have seen you at work in the little things and the big things that have happened. I am particularly mindful of your goodness in relation to (_____). When I count my blessings, naming them one by one, it is wonderful to see all that you have done.

Set me free from the temptation to grovel in my failures and also save me from any presumptions that would keep me from taking them seriously. It is in the space between despair and pride that I need you to work most in my life.

And what I ask for myself, I ask for others, especially (_____). I ask all this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

– Steve Harper
A Pocket Guide to Prayer

From pages 51-52 of A Pocket Guide to Prayer by Steve Harper. Copyright © 2010 by Steve Harper. 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 today’s prayer. Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me.

2 Samuel 7:14, NRSV

This Week: pray for the peace of Christ. 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: Dorothea Dix (July 18).

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

4 Comments

  • Jill Posted July 17, 2018 5:38 am

    The space between despair and pride…this will take some pondering throughout the day, pondering mixed with prayer.
    Bible study this morning and then spending the afternoon with my sister. We will do lunch and then go for a bike ride. My sister does very little in moderation, so we will likely bike between 25-30 miles and my legs will be like jello when it is over. I am not sure if I mentioned it – but I got a new bike with raised handle bars (compared to my previous “mountain” type bike) – so the pressure is relieved off of my hands. Hoping to be intentionally soft with my sister, guarding my reactions and mindful of glorifying God as much as possible. It is so easy for me to slip into auto-pilot…which is not a good thing. May God help me today, as I seek to glorify Him.

  • Betsy Posted July 17, 2018 6:54 am

    Reflecting on God’s footprint on my days is humbling. There are so many ways, both big and small, where His hand has been present. Pray your time with your sister is positive, Jill, and you both can benefit from your time together in the care of your parents.
    I’m pondering how to help a new friend in our neighborhood whom I’ve met this summer. She suffers from a long term condition which will eventually leave her unable to care for herself . She is very independent and chooses to live alone. Lord, how can I be a helper in her circumstances?
    Blessings to the UR pray-ers who visit here this day.

  • Julie Posted July 17, 2018 8:03 am

    I also see God’s footprint throughout my life. I need to keep this uppermost in my mind moving forward. This prayer is a great reminder.
    Prayers for Jill and her family. I pray Jill and her sister enjoy their time together today and both feel refreshed rather than stressed.
    Prayers for Betsy and her family. Prayers for Betsy’s neighbor. Betsy, perhaps just let your neighbor know that you are available. Develop a friendship and become a reliable source of support and kindness so that in the future your neighbor may find it easy and natural to reach out to you.
    Prayers for Marcy. I pray your pain and breathing have eased. I will share details f my kitties for you. They are pure bred Tonkinese. They talk a lot and are very affectionate. The breed is know as shoulder riders. Chai and Tazzie are litter mates though you would not believe this. More tomorrow.
    Prayers for Rober, Erich, Anneliese, and Pearl. May Erich find his way in the world and to you. May Robert overcome his “issue” with a new couselor.
    Prayers for Mary and her parents. May the administrative duties be given to an administrator of the clinic so that Mary can teach more.
    Prayers for Lou and family, Andrea and family, Gail aand family, Connie and family,April and family, Ken and family.
    A humble thank you for your words and prayers of support. I cherish them and they recharge my soul.
    Prayers for all of this warm and prayerful UR family

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted July 17, 2018 10:00 am

    Thank you dear Julie for your prayers!

    The footprints of God’s presence is with me since my birth. I have seen God at work in my life so often. God has not given up on me and is still working on me.

    Thank you God for your presence leading and guiding me every step of my life journey. You are my inspiration and ever present help. My source of strength and hope.

    Blessings to all!

    May God’s presence continue to be so close toeach one of us!

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