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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

WHEN JESUS SAYS, “I am the True Vine” he is indicating that the same authority and power of God given to Israel lives in him; but then he declares, “I Am.” He is not just a son of Israel; he is the Son of God, connected to the true, or real, source of Israel’s strength.

We stay connected to God’s power by staying connected to Christ. The way to do this is to abide. That word appears ten times in John 15. Abiding in Christ is the key to experiencing spiritual power. How do we abide in Christ? Jesus offers a vivid image—be a branch!

—Rob Fuquay
The God We Can Know: Exploring the “I Am” Sayings of Jesus

From page 74 of The God We Can Know: Exploring the “I Am” Sayings of Jesus by Rob Fuquay. Copyright © 2014 by The Upper Room. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

What sources do you rely on for strength and energy?  Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

“Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me.”
—John 15:4, NRSV

Prayer for the Week

Lord, open my eyes, my heart, and my mind so that I may know who you are.

Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.

Something more

Hundreds of people post prayer requests on The Upper Room prayer wall each day. Take a few minutes to respond and pray with some of those in need of prayer today. Pray with us.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.

Sponsored by The Upper Room. Copyright © 2019 | PO Box 340004 | Nashville, TN 37203-0004 | USA

8 Comments

  • Andrea Posted March 22, 2019 4:41 am

    Lowell and I made it to Oslo yesterday. It took 37 hrs to get here, on 3 buses and 2 trains. (The two domestic airlines in Norway do not accept passengers who cannot bend both knees for the allotted leg space.)

    We fly home tomorrow, hopefully. We are awaiting the delivery of an air-certified pillow that inflates to the size of an ottoman, that I must have for my leg in order to fly. (I need to be in business class seat with my leg elevated and supported.) Please pray that the pillow is delivered to the airport hotel today. If we don’t receive it today, I can’t fly tomorrow.

    Thank you for your prayers. I have only mild pain now and have mastered walking with the very well-designed crutches.

    Prayers for all, and much gratitude for your prayers. I am blessed to have UR friends/prayer warriors, and I hold you in my prayers.

  • robert moeller Posted March 22, 2019 6:40 am

    Scripture, hymns, worship, walks in nature, sleep, and food help me with various forms of strength and energy. Thank You, Lord.

    Prayers for Andrea and Lowell as they make their way home. Hope the ottoman arrives in time. That surely was a long trip by bus and train. Grateful
    for all the help you have received.

    Thankful for the Upper Room Support tech help that made posts possible again!

    New glasses for Anneliese and hopefully a new medication that both works and is covered by insurance.

    Snowing now, it will turn to rain and then back to snow, a foot is expected tomorrow. Prayers for the people affected by the cyclone in Africa and floods in the US Midwest.

    Prayers for Gloria, Marcy, Julie and all with health concerns. God’s peace, comfort, and assurance to each of you and your families.

    The pre-qualification process for a home loan is underway. Paperwork has been sent and received.

    Continued prayers that God’s wisdom will be received and guide the UMC to the right path and decision.

    Blessings and peace to all the UR family, thank You, Lord.

  • Betsy Posted March 22, 2019 7:06 am

    Prayer, worship and reading scripture at ways that I draw strength from God. He is my source.
    So thankful, Andrea, that you have survived your ordeal and accident! Continued prayers for you and Lowell as you return from this trip. “There is no place like home.”
    I am busy babysitting my precious new grand baby as my daughter in law returns to work. Her daycare doesn’t begin until early April. Even though my days are busy with feedings and changings, I am so blessed to spend this time with him. Postings will be sparse.
    Blessings to all.

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted March 22, 2019 7:46 am

      Glad to hear that you are enjoying your grandson, Betsy!

      May God bless Andrea and her husband a safe journey home and speedy recovery.

      Yes, God is my source of strength. Singing songs of worship, reading the Bible, prayers and prayer support, and of course all the UR friends here, all these help me when I am weak.

      Thank you God!

      Blessings to all and have a wonderful weekend!

  • Julie Posted March 22, 2019 8:17 am

    This group of wonderful Christian friends and mentors and prayer warriors strengthens me. That is why I spent 3 days trying to find the correct UR staff member to explain the comment section issues. Marti is a God sent angel who remedied the issue within hours of my phone call. I also recite scripture and seek God in prayer when in need of strength.
    Prayers for Andrea and Lowell, may they have safe travel and arrive home as scheduled.
    Prayers for Robert as he continues to plan his move. May he follow God’s guidance. Prayers for Anneliese and further medical care.
    Prayers for Betsy as she and her grandson spend precious time bonding.
    Prayers for Mary, may she be strong as she does so much for so many.
    Prayers for Lou and her daughter and their safe travel. May God guide them to the college that He has in His plans for her daughter.
    Prayers for Connie, may her weather be better than mine. (I, like Robert, am getting snow currently.) May her flowers soon bloom.
    Prayers for Marcy and beautiful Lucy. Hopefully Tazzie will accompany this comment.
    Prayers for Rusty, may he be safe as he travels despite his dizziness.
    Prayers for Jill and her family, may Gloria’s discomfort be minimal and may the family find God’s peace.
    Prayers for Edy and Bill, may they be well as they await the surgery.
    Prayers, blessings and warm hugs dear UR family and thank you for your prayers and kind words

    • Marti Williams-Martin Posted March 22, 2019 9:30 am

      Thank you for your praise and prayers Julie. I wish I could take credit, but some of our IT folks remedied the comment field problem. I will share your message with them. 🙂

      • Connie Posted March 23, 2019 8:31 am

        Thanks to all the UR folks. It takes many to achieve much. You can tell how we miss things when we can’t access them. It’s like a hole in the heart!

  • Loraine Sukalski Posted March 22, 2019 8:27 am

    I rely on prayer. Reading the Bible, studying and fellowship like pr Sunday school class helps but when it gets down to drawing close to God only one thing truly does it for me – prayer. I’m doing a Bible study with Senior High girls on Sunday nights. I pick the topic of prayer because I want them to start learning and knowing the power of prayer early in life. I ask for your prayers because every week I struggle to prepare a lesson. I guess my biggest fear is that I won’t be able to convey the importance of prayer to them in a way they will understand. Thank you

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