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

GOD OF WORDS—
help me choose mine carefully

let my mouth speak truth
with firmness and clarity
with respect and insight

let my heart hold those
to whom I speak
so they feel my regard

and help my spirit recognize
the God in each person
as well as the God in me

Amen

Alive Now, Jan/Feb 2013

From page 48 of Alive NowJanuary/February 2013. Copyright © 2012 by The Upper Room. All rights reserved. Used by permission. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

Pray today’s prayer. Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

They were astounded beyond measure, saying, “He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”
Mark 7:37, NRSV

This Week: pray for the leaders of nations. 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: Mother Teresa of Calcutta (September 5).

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

5 Comments

  • Louise Posted September 9, 2018 5:04 am

    This is exactly what I needed to read this morning. God is good. He answers our prayers in the way they need to be answered. It is so important to choose our words carefully because words are powerful. They can lift and they can crumble the human being. When speaking, especially when sad, angry, or just emotional it is hard to speak with respect and insight. We have to always, even though it is hard, let our heart hold those to whom we speak so they feel our regard. We have to recognize the God in each person as well as in our selves. Thank you God for this post…I really needed it… I pray that you will help me to be able to follow it. UR is a very special place with very special people. May all of you feel God’s peace, love, and joy.

  • Jill Posted September 9, 2018 6:43 am

    Yes, Louise, I agree – this prayer reminds us the weight our words can carry. I need to be more mindful so my words are edifying to the person and glorifying to God. Grateful for this reminder to begin the week.
    Good to hear from Marcy – praying for your health and perseverance. May God guide Mary during her work week ahead – may she have the strength and focus to teach her students and tend to her parents. Praying God will strengthen Julie, guiding her in decisions with her lawyer and employment opportunities.
    Father – encompass this community, show us how You would have us bring Your kingdom to our pockets of the world.

  • Julie Posted September 9, 2018 8:22 am

    This reflection says so simply some profound truths we all need to keep in mind as we interact with one another. I would add to Louise’s list to be mindful of words when we are tired or stressed or in a hurry. I know it is easy to forget to see God in each person in the midst of our hectic schedules. We all needed this reminder.
    I will not relate what I have learned from Jill sharing her personal details. I, too, suffer from an illlness that affects my hands and their mobility and causes intense pain. I have read Jill’s account of her health journey and how she was aable to endure, persevere, and even overcome the hardships by leaning into her faith. She showed me how to dwell not on my pain, but rather to dwell on the Lord and what He was accomplishing in me with this hardship. I learned that there are others who suffer as I do and how to not et the suffering define me. I am a child of God, not a victim of a disease.
    Prayers for Jill and Gloria. I pray the new dose of medication is effective on Gloria’s depression.
    Prayers for Louise and her family and good communication.
    Prayers of joy that Marcy posted. Prayers for her suffering to be alleviated.
    Prayers for Robert and Erich and their plans for the coming months.
    Prayers for Mary and her family. May this coming week be less demanding.
    Prayers for Connie and her quiet example of gratitude.
    Prayers for this wonderful UR family

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted September 9, 2018 9:52 am

    I think the worst that can happen to one is when someone twist and put words into your mouth to create trouble for you.

    May God protect us from trouble makers!

    Thank you for all your prayers!

    Blessings!

  • Marcy Posted September 9, 2018 12:43 pm

    Oh, dear Lord! Please guide us to use our words to build others up, and not to harm! I’ve just learned of a young sixteen year old from my church who took his life last week. My heart is breaking and overwhelmed with grief for his parents and three siblings.

    Jesus Christ, our Savior, our Light, please strengthen and comfort his family! There are no words for this, God, but You know this loving family well. And they know and love You. Holy Spirit, envelope this family with the Love of God, which transcends all! Amen.

    Asking for prayers for this family, today, UR siblings and friends! I have been brought low by too many infirmities at once, just in the last nine months. But oohing compares to this. Lord, please hear our prayers.

Add Comment

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