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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

TODAY WILL HOLD INTERRUPTIONS. We can count on it. Let’s ask God to give us eyes to see these interruptions as opportunities the way Jesus did.

The diversion could be an opportunity to stop and be present with someone else. The unwelcome intrusion might be an opening to experience life rather than rush through it. The interruption may be a chance to hear from God.

PRAYER
God, remind us today that you are present with us. When we are interrupted, help us to see how you are working and how you might use us to show your love and light. Amen.

– Jacob Armstrong
Interruptions

From page 14 of Interruptions: A 40-Day Journey with Jesus by Jacob Armstrong. Copyright © 2014 by Jacob Armstrong. 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

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

John 6:35, NRSV

This Week: pray for students starting back to school. 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: Ignatius of Loyola (July 31).

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

7 Comments

  • Jill Posted August 5, 2018 5:31 am

    Yes, to show love and light, in expected and unexpected places. Father – may all occurrences be viewed as opportunities.
    Connie and Andrea – I appreciate your words. Connie – how I want to love my parents well, to honor them in a manner which pleases God. Words and tone have been issues with my mom and I in the past. How I must guard my mouth. And Andrea – the serenity prayer has been my mantra since I got home. I was reminded of it on tv – and have prayed it earnestly and tearfully the past few mornings. I am so aware of needing to check my attitude and thoughts, and continually renew my mind.
    Looking forward to church this morning – will be attending the much bigger, main campus service, along with the cancer support group. Thank you for those who encouraged me last month to continue to attend. I have no doubt it will be emotional again, but will try to cling to the positive goodness and let the difficult emotions pass through.
    I was thinking yesterday morning during my run how I have strayed from listing three grateful things in this space, and I need to get back to it. I surely believe a spirit of gratitude helps hold the devil at bay. Grateful for a beautiful day yesterday to participate in a golf outing to raise money for my school’s athletic fund. Was on a team with colleagues and it was a welcome diversion. Grateful for beautiful gerbera daisies which have re-bloomed. Grateful for the shadow closeness of Roger and his extra affection since I have returned home.
    Sunday blessings and prayers to all of you. I appreciate your prayerfulness.

    • La Posted August 5, 2018 7:20 am

      Good morning Jill! I am 59 years old, my mother is 83. She complaints all the time about nothing. She is a diabetic. I keep her in my prayers every morning. I praise and thank God for the health and strength He gives her, and the activity of her limbs. Her diabetics and blood pressure are very stable because she take her medicine and eat exactly right. She is a very independent woman. Of course, every single day, whatever clothing she has on, even a house gown, she has on earrings to match. She owns her own home and has the best of whatnot and crystals. She make sure she eat her 3 meals a day and snack at bed time. She say she don’t ever ache nor have pains. But, the 2 things she gonna do is check the caller ID and check mail box. Whenever she go to her doctor appointments, I am right there with her. I have 2 other sisters to whom don’the have the patience like I do. One sister live a mile from her and want dare to even bring our mother a coke or even ask do she need any thing. She is 55, the other sister is in Colorado. One thing I love about my mother is, she calls me every single night between 11:00 & 11:30, even if she jut talked to me at 10pm. I live alone also. Don’the we know how to spoil our parents. My point to you is “just hold on.” We still gotta love them when they say very harsh words to us. You can do all you can, they still are not happy. Still, we gotta do our part. I say, Lord, me and my mother may spat, but I love her and hold us so close, where one can’take fall from the other. I am her prop where ever we go. Now, she don’t go to a grocery store, only to church on 1st and 3rd Sunday. I do all her grocery shopping, change her bed linens, and take the garbage out every other day. She does watch fox news every single day. She loses a lot of friendships, arguing about remarks when people critical of trump. No matter who it is, don’t dare critic trump. She is a Democrat. No one or no body is ever a stranger to her. But anyway Jill, yes our feelings get hurt, but that is okay, I will say God help me. When you do the best you can, God knows all about it. Never stop nor give up even when the pressure is on us. Yep, it hurts, but we still gotta endure. A lot of times I go liken just to please, but that is OK also. I always read upper room. Thank you for your patience in taking the time to reply to you. I love you and have a blessed day.

      • Connie Posted August 5, 2018 7:59 am

        La, what a heartfelt post.

  • robert moeller Posted August 5, 2018 6:48 am

    Thankful for church, communion, possibly singing in the choir today at church. Thankful for a harvst from the garden that will be shared today. Still thankful for a batch of hermit cookies that brought back memories of a favorite aunt.

    Thinking of my Mom’s last years and the time Gloria has. I’m very thankful that my sister and I cared for Mon till the day she went to be with the Lord.
    There were tough days when she didn’t recognize us or told us to “get out” but
    it was all worth the efforts for there were days when she had the greatest time with simple activities. Cancer and Alzheimer’s are different, but can bring about our worldly end. Mom couldn’t reason. Gloria can and I think that makes it tougher. Prayesr that God’s love shines through and she receives it.

    Andrea that is a wonderful blessing that you, your daughter, and grandson will spend time together at Lake Superior. How our children raise their children will be a point of contention till the end of time. Knowing what to say and when and also knowing when not to say anything takes practice and understanding. I say less than I’d like.

    The serenity prayer is more than helpful. It acknowledges our Lord as sovereign.

    Mary, music is a very powerful spiritual medium for me. The melody can speak as much, sometimes more, than the lyrics. It’s nourishment for the soul.

    Continued prayers for Julie’s recovery from surgery, well being, and resolution to the situation she is in. Healing and well being prayers for Marcy.
    Be lifted up to the Lord who sustains, heals, cares, and loves.

    Have a blessed Sunday, be filled with the Holy Spirit, commune with the Lord, and be thankful.

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted August 5, 2018 7:27 am

      Indeed, Robert!

      My mum also joined the choir after she retired as a nurse. She too enjoyed the choir practices and the fellowship there.

      May you glorify God with your singing, Robert!

  • Betsy Posted August 5, 2018 7:08 am

    Interruptions can be a blessing, yes. I need to be more in the moment to enjoy what they can bring. God can work in these times of unexpected grace.

    Grateful for a gathering of our prison ministry team yesterday as we plan another weekend for women whose lives have been impacted by incarceration. I know there will be many of these interruptions and unplanned moments involved in this event, but God is in charge and will guide us through. Thankful fo worship and communion today. Rest this afternoon and a neighborhood get together this evening.

    Prayers for all the UR family as we go about our lives this week.

  • Connie Posted August 5, 2018 8:12 am

    Our lives are pretty routine and very simplified (especially lately). I would love some pleasant interruptions. However, there is a lot to be said about routine.
    Thankful for:
    Sunday Sabbath.
    Hummingbirds and Bees trying to co-exist at the feeder.
    Bright Yellow Finches on the Thistle Sock.
    My husband, my home, my family, my friends here and their wise posts.
    For Jill and her sweet spirit.

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