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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

GRANT ME GRACE this day
to rest and remember
that there is nothing I have to do,
nothing I have to buy or sell,
nothing I have to produce or consume
in order to become who I already am:
your beloved creation.
May your overworked creation
and those who cannot rest today
come to know the liberation of your sabbath.

– Sam Hamilton-Poore
Earth Gospel: A Guide to Prayer for God’s Creation

From page 129 of Earth Gospel: A Guide to Prayer for God’s Creation by Sam Hamilton-Poore. Copyright © 2008 by Sam Hamilton-Poore. 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

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Ephesians 5:1-2, 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 (August 8).

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

17 Comments

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted August 12, 2018 1:22 am

    Thank you God for the joy of being your beloved creation.
    Thank you for your grace and loving kindness.
    Thank you for the liberation of the sabbath!

    Blessings!

    • Marcy Posted August 12, 2018 6:36 pm

      Sweet sister Mary, thank you for your encouraging and faith-filled posts! I am keeping you, your parents, your sister, your students and colleagues in my prayers. You are certainly a wonderful teacher and truly love your work. Such a blessing to your students! Thank you for your prayers! Sending Love to you!

      • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted August 12, 2018 11:57 pm

        Thanks so much dear Marcy!

        You always inspires and encourages me.

        May you be released from pain and may your health improve.

        May all your needs be met too!

        Blessings!

  • Jill Posted August 12, 2018 5:40 am

    Yes, Father – thank You for the free-ness of Your gift, salvation, unearned, graciously extended to us. May there be full rest there.
    Grateful for my nephew’s invitation – extended to my folks, myself, my sister and her hubby and my other nephew and his family. We were together last evening, pizza and brownies, cards and dominoes. So very good for my dad’s soul, and hopefully a respite, at least, for mom. Grateful for the cuteness of little kittens – how funny they are when they first encounter their reflection in a mirror. Grateful for vividly blue skies and low humidity.
    Father, as we gather today, lead us in to worship of You, in spirit and truth.

    • Marcy Posted August 12, 2018 6:32 pm

      Jill, I continue to keep you, your Mom, Gloria, your Dad, Larry, your sister, Becky and her family and if course, Roger in my prayers. I am happy you had time away, time with friends and time with your Dad in the last few weeks, before school started. You and your Dad inspire one another and need each other’s company. I pray the cancer group has brought you some measure of peace. Thank you for your prayers. Sending Love to you!

  • robert moeller Posted August 12, 2018 6:34 am

    Thankful for the many posts yesterday, lots of family news, of a baby boy on the way, of blessed times together, Julie looking for a job, yes, why not. Thankful for zucchini bread read for the church picnic, news of a railroad photographer exhibit, help with modeling a piece of railroad equipment used to grade and plow right of ways – a Jordan spreader, progress with my own model.

    Where would we be without grace? Thank You, Lord for such a wonderful trait of Your love. Prayers for Gloria and her family, Marcy’s health and well-being, Julie’s hands, foot, job possibility, and well-being, peace for Connie, Betsy, and Grace, Lou’s continued progress, Mary, Pam, April, Francesca, Ken, Glenn, Rusty and K. Blessings to all of the UR family. God is with you.

    Thankful for your prayers for Erich, Anneliese, and me. They are sustaining, uplifting, and helpful.

    • Marcy Posted August 12, 2018 6:48 pm

      Robert, I continue to look to your wise and instructive words to embolden my faith. Thankful to hear of the new possibilities on the horizon for Erich! I still look forward to hearing about the model trains and all the geographical and historical background is icing on the cake! You are and will always be in my prayers, as are Erich, your daughter and her family, Annaliese and the members of your church congregation; those who are improving, those who are in need of healing and for any division among the flock. Jesus teaches that we are all equals under God and that we are to Love Him with all we have, mind, soul, heart, and strength; and to Love one another the same! Thank you so very much for keeping me in your prayers! Sending all my Love, rooted in God’s Love, to you and your family and friends, dear Robert!

    • Marcy Posted August 12, 2018 6:55 pm

      Prayers for sweet Pearl! I’m so happy Erich and you also, have her in your lives. I am still scrambling mentally, else I’d never forgotten her! I don’t know how do cope without the beating heart of my little (not so little) kitty, Lucy! Though God is with me always, she is my baby and loves me, and I love her!

  • Julie Posted August 12, 2018 8:15 am

    Yes, may Your overworked creation find rest today. May the earth and all its inhabitants that must gather and hunt for their existence have plenty today. May those who are fighting wild fires and drought and giving ais too the afflicted fiind rest from their labor.
    Prayers for Erich and his job prospect. Prayers for Robert and his church family. Prayers for pain relief for Anneliese. I think I will make some zucchini bread also, thanks for making me wish for some.
    Prayers for more times of family fun and togetherness for Jill and her family. May Gloria learn to appreciate these times aand cherish them.
    Prayers for Mary and her parents. I pray they had a wonderful weekend full of rest and joy.
    Thank you for your words of support. My foot is doing better and my surgery wounds are healing, My courage is in need of proping up. I have not sought work since the bad experience years ago. I had to be let go because people were afraid of my hands. So I hve no idea what I could do but will be open to God’s leading.
    Prayers and blessings to all, old and new, UR family members

    • Marcy Posted August 12, 2018 7:13 pm

      Dearest Julie, you are in my prayers as I start my prayer list each morning! I continue to keep you, your daughter and your Mom, along with Chai and Tazzie, in my prayers. Even in the days of pain, I remember you in prayer throughout the day! I’m glad you spent time away with your daughter with your Mom. You are an intelligent, caring and wonderful woman, Julie, and I believe there is work you could do. Companion work, such as reading, talking and spending time with those who are housebound, would be an option. Unfortunately, the hours are short and the pay is minimum, but it could lead to something else. You are well educated and maybe you could check with a disability employment agency to see what is available to you. I look up to you as a Christian sister! Thank you for your prayers. I surely am in need of them! Sending all my Love and some hugs to you, my friend! I’m thankful to God for your welcoming me to the UR!

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted August 12, 2018 11:20 pm

      Thanks so much Julie!

      May you have a job that fits you and may you have excellent health!

      Blessings!

  • Connie Posted August 12, 2018 8:38 am

    God grant me Grace on this day-this Sweet Sabbath.

    • Marcy Posted August 12, 2018 7:17 pm

      Connie, I am praying God’s peace and comfort for you, my sister. You are a beautiful soul! Sending my Love to you!

      • Connie Posted August 13, 2018 7:47 am

        Thanks, Marcy, and greetings to you on this Monday Morning.

  • April Posted August 12, 2018 11:19 am

    Good Morning UR Family )
    Last week my work was redirected to another city to be the feet on the ground for the project we will be implementing there this coming week. What a respite from my usual work and a time to work with other clinicians and even took a gondola ride up a mountain to have lunch. The flowers were beautiful and the fresh air refreshing…..work has its perks!!
    Have been reading the posts for the week and holding you in my prayers while away. How wonderful that our family has grown, welcome Glenn and Christine, and is always there to support each other.
    A couple of thoughts as I was reading and wondered if others might have thought about these too. Let me explain more….when we share our concerns, I appreciate options that others share. Then the sharer leaves his/her suggestion to God and the one sharing the concern for the final decision. My kids have said, offer what you can….and so I do when God leads me to. Please know that I am amazed at the wisdom shared by the UR family on options for living life (and believe me I have tried many of those options with a new way of thinking/surprising results)…thank you everyone!!
    Julie, I wanted to share with you that not long ago I had an offer to be a support faculty for an online University. It was all online and the only in-person travel was for orientation and yearly updates. The interview was even by skype. It was set up to be 40 hours and you scheduled your available time to meet with students and follow/encourage them. No grading of papers or such….just a support person. With your knowledge and ability to understand others needs on this UR site, I am wondering if something like this would be an option. I did not take the position at the time but have thought about it for another time.
    Andrea, how wonderful that you had time away with your daughter and family. That your daughter shared that she spanked her son, your grandson, I wonder if this is her was of asking for help….and then connecting with her “thank you for sharing this with me, please tell me more”…..an opening to help you understand more so that together you might find solutions….is it rest? Was it a dangerous situation that she may not have anticipated and a spanking will prevent him from ever doing again? I remember being a young mother….and the blessings of having others to help me along my early years of mothering.
    Jill, I am a kitty lover too and felt sooooooo sad when you wrote of your Mom’s refusal to take it. Bless your friend for continuing to look for a home for the kitten. With the new diagnosis of cancer and the best, research based treatment plan that her providers have presented, I am wondering if your Mom is feeling a need to be in control of something in her life now that cancer has “become a part of her life”…be it the food she chooses to eat or not, if she chooses to speak or not, if she chooses to leave the house or not, etc. While change including the diagnosis of cancer affects all parts of the body, and I have a chronic disease, though not cancer, for over 10 years, I find that when I work together with my body (rest, nourishment, work, etc) and my priorities/wishes (vacations, movie, health appointments), and share this balance with my family (and they share too), we are a family that can more fully understand and care for each other, each of whom is a Beloved Child of God.
    A hug for Connie as she shares the memories she holds of her family during this month….sadness and thankfulness.
    Prayers for Robert and Enrich and Annelise as you trust God day-by-day.
    Prayers for Marcy as she prays for each of us daily despite breathing problems and migraines. You are an inspiration to me with your amazing love for others!
    Prayers for Mary and Lou’s daughter as they teach our next generation of leaders….may education guide our world to peace instead of war.
    Congrats to Pam as she welcomes her new grandson into our world.
    May we each feel God’s grace today as we observe the Sabbath. Shalom dear family.

    • Marcy Posted August 12, 2018 7:33 pm

      April, thank you for this inspiring comment today! These encouragements are truly a gift for God to all of us! I am praising the Lord for your safe travel out of town and back! I am grateful to our magnificent Father that He enables me to pray for you and your family each day. I am thankful for your suggestions to Julie and also for your understanding of my own situation. With the helpful words and prayers of my UR siblings like yourself, I am strengthened to face each day with renewed Faith, keeping Hope ever alive with in my soul through God’s Love! Sending my Love to you, April!

  • Marcy Posted August 12, 2018 9:21 pm

    Dear Lord, thank You for the Grace and Mercy You bestow on Your children. Thank you, Jesus, that all we have to do is believe in You, to become what we already are: Your beloved creation. Father, thank You, for this loving UR Reflections family and Your Presence among us. We praise You, each day, for a new dawn, a new day. Please continue to bless us with Your comfort, Your guidance, and Your Love. Amen.

    Hello dear UR Reflections siblings and friends! I have been in extreme pain from migraines and in my body. Illnesses, new financial issues and loss of being able to see to read and write, has plagued me in the last weeks. I have been reading in short intervals, praying as I go, and had to rest to continue today after replying, so I pray I don’t “run out of steam” to finish! Please bear with me for any typos or possibly jumbled words. I am mindful, but it sometimes doesn’t translate well! I have requested prayer from others, remain on the prayer list at church and continue to ask for your prayers also. I am thankful for the prayers of this family and grateful for this kind, gentle and loving group of believers! Truly, I am!

    Glenn, I loved the story of your coming to God! I am sorry for the loss of your friend, Jim, of southern Illinois. He is Home with God in heaven! I am so happy Jim told you about the Upper Room! Welcome!

    Welcome also to Christine, La, and JE. Christine, although I have no children, I am thankful I had my maternal grandmother as a young person. Had it been that I became a grandmother, I would have followed her example. La, that was a beautiful comment to Jill. God bless you! JE, the terrors and shredding of my previous life would surely have left me broken without God. I am going to keep you in my prayers that you will come to see, as I did, that loss and pain is healed by God. I was not in God, was physically threatened if I tried, was kept from reading the Bible, during a long period of time. After the death of my Dad, I came back defiantly to God, come what may. God saved my life, quite literally! And showed me the way back to life and light.

    Joan, thanks for your comment on gratitude. I strive to keep that gratitude every day!

    Lou, I am keeping you in my prayers in your fears, struggles and sadness. I often start a “if only” thought pattern and run directly to God when it happens. Remember that God loves you and is with you always! He strengthens you and upholds you! I am praying for your son’s broken heart. God will heal his heart and your also, dear Lou, and in time, this too shall pass. Sounds so placating, yet it is TRUE! Blessings to your daughter as she embarks on her career as a teacher! I am always keeping you and your children in my prayers! Thank you for your prayers for me!

    Betsy, thank you for your comments! I am keeping all school children and their teachers in my prayers, that they will be watched over by God and kept safe as another school year begins. I am keeping you and Grace and your family in my prayers. Also included is Leo, the Boxer, your daughter’s dog! Thank you for your prayers.

    Andrea, it was good to hear about the memories shared by you and your daughter as you spent a few days on the northern shore of Lake Superior! Your sweet grandson is such a blessing from God! I am praying for you, your daughter, and your grandson in specific prayer to God. I pray that guidance from the Holy Spirit will lead to victory and harmony for you all! I’m thankful for your heartfelt comments that are so needed among us! I often practice your visualization techniques the best I can during the migraines. I’m only free of them for four or five days at a time now. I always keep you, Lowell and your family, and Father Edwin in my prayers. Also, your daughter’s kitty, Poppy and her dog, Fina! Thank you, Andrea, for your prayers for me!

    Pam, praise God for the second boy in thirty years, who is “on the way!” Blessings to you, and thank you for your prayers!

    I am thankful to God’s glorious Love shared between all who come to the UR Reflections site! Praying for Rusty and K, Francesca, Gail, Ami, Jean, Carol and Robin, Chloe and Paige, Kenneth Miller and the whole list of every person who has commented since I started the list. I pray we hear from them again and pray for others who have yet to visit! I am always praying for you all! I hope I haven’t left anyone out!

    And these three remain: Faith, Hope and Love, and the greatest of these is LOVE! I share God’s Love with you, dear family, as He gives it so abundantly! Thanks be to God and to God be the glory forever!

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