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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

FOR ME, the spiritual journey is not about growing more certain about the world, but rather about embracing more and more the mystery at the heart of everything and living into the great questions of life. In a world where so many people are so very certain about the nature of things, especially in religious circles about who God includes and excludes, I believe unknowing calls us to a radical humility.

Weavings, May/June/July 2015

From “Embracing a Midwinter God” by Christine Valters Painterner, page 30 inWeavings: A Journal of the Christian Spiritual Life, May/June/July 2015. Copyright © 2015 by The Upper Room. All rights reserved. Used by permission. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about Weavings.

Today’s Question

How does uncertainty work to make you humble? Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind.

James 3:16, NRSV

This Week: pray for people with chronic illnesses. 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: John Chrysostom (September 13).

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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

14 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted September 14, 2018 5:52 am

    Welcome Margret, Jim, and Eva. It’s always good to have new posters. God’s blessing on you.

    Most certainly hope that Social Security does what is needed for you, Marcy.
    I once applied for a position and after a lot of effort, thought all my ducks were lined up, I was told I was too old and the whole effort fell through. Very disheartening. Eventually found another program and did that. Prayers for your health, especially breathing and heart, but also RA and those nasty migraines. Thankful you have support from church and a cat to keep you company. Your prayers and witness are very much appreciated.

    Had some energizing comments from the German model railroad club about the Bismarck. I need some tin snips to trim the boiler so it fits. My work table lamp died too. It had seen a lot of service. The convention of the railroad historical society is coming up the end of the month.

    Julie, the Burlington MA H-Mart was just terrific and we were able to buy Korean food items we enjoy. Thankfully the Godiva store was next door and both open oysters and hazelnut crunch truffles made it home. The new dishes are great. Prayers for your hands, home situation, and job searches by you and your daughter.

    Mary, I will look up those Japanese items you use.

    Prayers for Gloria and Larry, caregivers Jill and Becky, Betsy, Mary, Lou, and Connie. No word from Andrea, hope all is well there. Thank You, Lord, for Your ever presence, help us to lean on You.

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted September 14, 2018 8:25 am

      Thanks Robert!

      May your health be restored, Robert!

      Blessings!

      Uncertainty makes me humble cause only God alone knows the future. We humbly commit our future into God’s hands trusting that He knows what’s best for us.

      Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

    • Marcy Posted September 14, 2018 8:40 pm

      Thank you, Robert, for your prayers! The Social Services Agency is who needs to get my referral for help around my home and for me, too. HHS informed me they only took people 59 years old and younger. I’m a late baby boomer and in between, so to speak. I received a call today, however, so we start again, with the nice woman coming to my apartment on October 1st. I am thankful to God that it won’t be eight months, as my original referral was put in on January 22, 2018.

      I am happy to hear that the boiler for the Bismarck has been modified to fit. You are very good with these model trains! The work table lamp is like my lighted make-up mirror; it just recently went dark, but I still need it because it’s magnified!

      I am keeping you and Erich, Annaliese, your loved ones and church members in my prayers. And Pearl, also! Lucy is indeed a blessing to me. Blessings!

  • Patricia Tiernan Posted September 14, 2018 6:02 am

    I ask for prayers for our niece, Karen, who fought the fight of breast cancer, then was given an all clear, only to be told a few months later that her cancer had returned & had spread to her lungs & liver…. So she was put on chemo once again & now after several treatments was told it is not working, it is getting worse… She was told after they discovered the cancer had returned that she had a 2 to 5 years… Please send prayers up for our niece… Thank you..

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted September 14, 2018 8:28 am

      Keeping your niece in prayer, Patricia!

      Thanks dear Julie!

      This weekend had to attend course but i do enjoy learning and it enriches my life.

      Take care Julie!

      Blessings!

    • Marcy Posted September 14, 2018 8:49 pm

      Patricia, I am praying for your niece, Karen, as she battles with cancer. I pray that our laboratories and doctors come up with another treatment for her to try. I pray for God’s comfort and healing for Karen; He is mighty and nothing is impossible for Him, in His will and His timing. I am also praying for you and your family for strength and encouragement. Sending lots of prayers and Love to you all!

  • Jill Posted September 14, 2018 6:25 am

    To embrace mystery – is an extension of faith. God – may we submit our fears, our timidity to You.
    Spent some time this morning at the end of Matthew 11 – His yoke, His burden – so light for us when we truly submit. Yes, Father – we are all weary and heavy laden to some measure – beckon us more and might we obey.
    Father – help Karen (listed above) to be able to lean into Your Sovereignty. Oh, the questions, the tenderness – yet You are present. For all those fighting their battles – may they be able to be valiant because of You.

    • Marcy Posted September 14, 2018 8:58 pm

      Jill, I continue to pray for your Mom and the scan she is having. You are so faithful and continue to put your trust in God. You and your Dad are keeping each other strong. I continue to keep you and your family in my prayers, and Roger, too! Sending Love to you!

  • Betsy Posted September 14, 2018 6:56 am

    The mystery of life gives me pause; it causes me to have to lean on faith more and that’s a good thing. C.S. Lewis reminds us that we need to restore in us the “eye of wonder” like the lens of a child. Lord, help me to view things through the lens of wonder and awe.
    Patricia, I pray for you niece, Karen, as she goes through her chemo treatments. Give her strength and calm in the midst of the struggle. Blessings to all our UR friends, both old and new.

    • Marcy Posted September 14, 2018 9:05 pm

      Betsy, thank you for your heartening words! I’m a big fan of C.S. Lewis and his writings. They are ageless! I confess I even read the Narnia books again, not so long ago! You and your family are in my prayers!

  • Julie Posted September 14, 2018 8:03 am

    Yes, all of life, each day and each moment, are mysteries that unravel continuously as God deemed from the beginning. May I have the strength of faith to lean into the unknown and trust Him to have my best life in His plans. I am struggling with this especially now.
    Prayers for Patricia’s niece, Karen, that she may feel His arms around her during this difficult time.
    Prayers for Marcy may her pain be less today, may she rest at night and may she receive Social Security benefits soon.
    Prayers for Mary, may she find time to relax this weekend and do Washi tape projects.
    Prayers for Jill and Gloria. May they be free of pain and free of stress and anxiety as they await Tuesday.
    Prayers for Robert and his heart health, in both the physical sense and the spiritual sense. May Erich absorb the quiet testamony of Robert and learn of the Father’s love for him.
    Prayers for Betsy, her daughter in law and unbrn grandchild.
    Prayers aree appreciated, h is off work today and left early with many papers in his arms. This type of behavior always makes me wonder if he is seeing his lawyer and I the stress mounts. He also could not look me in the eyes, my stress is through the roof. God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change…
    Prayers for all of the UR family new and long time posters

    • Marcy Posted September 14, 2018 9:26 pm

      Dear Julie, thank you for your prayers! I am receiving SSI, but need help at home. I praised our Lord Jesus after receiving a call from the social services agency today, and made the appointment for the field person to come see me on October 1st. I then will have to wait for an assessment from the Medicaid/BCBS insurance to be scheduled. I’m patiently praying for God’s will, and am trusting in Jesus. I decided to go back on the maintenance medication for the migraines, hoping it won’t immediately cause the kidney and bladder pain and issues again. I have to wait until January now, having missed the neurologist appointment due to the flu.

      I know that pins and needles feeling I had concerning my h. I really believe you are stronger than you may think and your intelligence will lead to work. I pray that God will answer your prayers and bring peace to you. God has got this! I continue to keep you and your daughter and Chai and Tazzie in my prayers. Sending Love to you, my friend!

  • Marcy Posted September 14, 2018 9:57 pm

    There was a time in my younger years when I was in need of being humbled. Well, that definitely came about, but I’m unsure how to relate the humbling I received to what I’ve experienced in life. The abuse resulted in uncertainty about everything, including self-worth. I had to learn things all over again and that’s taken time. Having God as my foundation gave me the strength to forgive, which led to a deeper understanding of how God works in one’s life. God taught me about having faith, hope and love again, making it a joy to serve. I’ll always be learning and that’s a gift from God!

    Hello Eva! I talk out loud to God all the time! I read scripture out loud, too, as that seems to make the words more direct.

    I continue to pray for Andrea and her family and hope they all are well. Continued prayers also for Connie, Lou, Mary, Louise, Gail, April, Francesca, Pamela, Tina, Carol and Robin, Rusty and K, Joan, Jean, Margaret, Jim, Eva and all who visit regularly or every now and then, and those yet to come! I’ve been thinking of Gerri and miss her posts. To those who may just be reading, our Father knows your names and needs and joys!

    And these three remain: Faith, Hope and Love, and the greatest of these is LOVE! Sending Love to all the UR Reflections family and friends!

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted September 15, 2018 6:17 pm

      Thanks Marcy!

      May you be filled with God’s love, joy and peace!

      Blessings!

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