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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

EVER-LOVING GOD, who having loved us loves us still, help us to hear again your word, “By this shall they know you are my disciples; that you love one another.” Turn our hostility into hospitality and our callousness into care. Through Christ, we pray. Amen.

—Rueben P. Job and Norman Shawchuck
A Guide to Prayer for All God’s People

From page 175 of A Guide to Prayer for All God’s People by Rueben P. Job and Norman Shawchuck. Copyright © 1990 by The Upper Room. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books.Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

Where can you provide hospitality to someone today? Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God ever says “Let Jesus be cursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit.
—1 Corinthians 12:3, NRSV

This Week: pray for someone beginning a good habit. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.

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9 Comments

  • Jill Posted January 11, 2019 3:59 am

    Every morning I read Ephesians 4:1-3, prayerfully asking God to assist me on the road He has called me to…that I will be aware of Him requiring “…all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Specifically this is for my attitude and interactions with my sister.
    In the midst of reading an email from my father this morning – I had to momentarily chuckle at the irony of me mentioning here, just yesterday, how good it is to rise to a new morning without a call coming through overnight. There have been a series of events lately which show a downward progression for mom. Yesterday, aonther blow occurred. As yet unsure how impactful physically – but crushing mentally in her already compromised state. Dad did contact the oncologist and we are going to be watchful these next few days.
    I imagine I will speak with my sister sometime today – dad spoke with her last evening. May humility, gentleness, patience be evident from me.

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted January 11, 2019 4:15 am

      Jill, may God grant you wisdom in managing this situation and may God guide you and your family.

      Blessings

      I, too, sometimes face difficult situations like this. Sometimes I have to look after both my elderly parents alone. I always ask the Lord to help me and He always does.

      May God be your ever present help and guide, Jill!

      • Rusty Posted January 11, 2019 7:28 am

        Thank you Mary for that encouragement!

    • Betsy Posted January 11, 2019 6:58 am

      Praying for your relationship with your sister as you come together to care for you mom and lend support to your dad. May your faith strengthen and lift the burdens that separates you.

  • Betsy Posted January 11, 2019 6:53 am

    Family can put one in stressful situations. I, along with my sisters, are stepping forward to help our brother, who has many health issues, some of his own making. We all worry about his fragile health, but also his poor decision making skills. I pray every morning for patience and empathy when I’m needed to go over to take him to doctor appointments, etc. I’m going to add the scripture you shared, Jill, to my morning prayer time.
    It’s difficult to reach out to help someone when they don’t always want or appreciate that assistance. Lord, make me your humble servant and not expect thanks or approval for what I do.
    In your son’s name, Amen

  • Rusty Posted January 11, 2019 7:27 am

    Jill and Betsy, prayers for you and your loved ones. Bless you both for all you do for them. Jill, may your your interaction with your sister be a peaceful one, and may God provide you the words you need when you need them. I’m with Betsy. That’s a great scripture passage you shared.

  • Julie Posted January 11, 2019 8:16 am

    Such strong feelings shared here today. My brother lives in Japan, so no way for him to help when my mother needs. So far this has not been an issue as she was young when she had me. But theses things are inevitable. I try to be nice to all I meet. But I read Jill’s scripture verse and it does seem helpful as a daily reminder to be my best representaion of Christ always.
    Prayers for Jill and her family as they continue to tend to Gloria’s health. May she and her sister put aside their personal feelings to work in harmony.
    Prayers for Mary and her parents as she cares for them. May she be strong and may other family members asist also.
    Prayers for Betsy and her family as they care for her brother. May he willingly accept their help.
    Prayers for Rusty and those he cares for.
    Prayers for Robert and Erich as they care for one another.
    Prayers for Andrea and Lowell as they each struggle with health issues.
    Prayers for Connie and her family as they care for one another.
    Prayers for Marcy and prayers that Mary is caring for her.
    Remember one and all to care for yourselves so that you can care for your loved ones.
    Prayers and blessings dear UR family

  • Andrea Posted January 11, 2019 8:27 am

    Jill and Betsy, I pray for you and your difficult family situations. Your families are blessed to have you, the face of Christ for them.

    Hospitality: I pray I will be attentive and kind to all with whom I interact.

    I turn over to God a deep hurt from an incident yesterday.

    Prayers for all UR friends, as named by Julie, and prayers for Julie with gratitude for her.

    Wishing all a blessed weekend.

  • robert moeller Posted January 11, 2019 1:15 pm

    Hospitality can be shared with any one you meet at any time or place. Meals prepared here today have both us, father and son, show hospitality to each other. Here at the UR we share our hearts, minds, and souls, that’s hospitality too for we read the posts with hospitality.

    Prayers for Gloria, thankful she has had so many good days. It makes it hard to deal with these down turns. A lady in my church seemed to be making great progress and now is facing her last days. Cancer is terrible. May Gloria know that the Lord is with her through this and that it is not the ultimate end. Lord be with her, Larry, Jill, and Becky as they live day by day.

    Prayers for Betsy, her brother, Kelsey, the baby on the way or possibly already here, and relationships between all concerned.

    Prayers for Julie, Megan, and “h”. We all need prayers. Lord, provide tye guidance and wisdom needed to make the right decisions and may the outcome be Your will done.

    Prayers for Marcy and Mary and the daily challenges they face. May health, income, and insurance needs be met. Thankful foe Mary’s help. I suggest she is an angel in disguise.

    Staying warm in frigid temps and windy weather.

    Blessings to you all.

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