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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

JESUS WORSHIPED among the fishermen. Jesus healed one of their own. Jesus spent time on the water with them. Only after laying that groundwork (or, seawork) did Jesus issue a call.

Jesus still calls us to follow by first preparing the way. We do not find ourselves addressed by a stranger, one whom we have never heard or seen before. The possibility of trust and our answering yes to Jesus is enhanced by knowing the One who speaks our name and invites us to follow.

This is a lesson we would do well to heed as individuals and communities of faith. If we follow that call to be fishers of people, we need not come at folks out of the blue with our words or invitations. We, too, need to do the groundwork.

—John Indermark
Gospeled Lives: Encounters with Jesus

From page 20 of Gospeled Lives: Encounters with Jesus by John Indermark. Copyright © 2008 by The Upper Room. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

How might Christ’s presence change something you do today?  Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.”
—Luke 5:4-5, NRSV

Prayer for the Week

Here I am, Lord.

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

Something more

How do we pray when we are divided? Read more.

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

7 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted March 25, 2019 6:45 am

    I can only imagine how Christ’s presence might change something I do today. Here I am Lord.

    So thankful Andrea and Lowell are home safely, prayers for Gloria, thankful she has not had physical pain; prayers that treatment is going well for Marcy and she has the support she needs, prayers for Julie’s hands and foot, her home life, and Megan. Thankful for her diligent and detailed prayers. May Lou and her daughter be guided to the right college. Thankful that this is all possible.

    Doris has received blood transfusions and is doing better, Anneliese is taking medication to stop inflammation.

    Erich and I are awaiting pre-qualification for a home loan and watching the real estate market.

    Prayers that God guides the UMC through the valley as the church deals with
    sexuality. Thankful for the Upper Room help in praying when we are divided.

    The Lord is with all who believe in Him. Thank You, Lord.

  • Julie Posted March 25, 2019 8:07 am

    I, too, can only imagine what God could do through and with me. God only knows what wondrous things He is capable of empowering us to do if only we truly come to our heart saying Here I am Lord.
    Prayers for Robert and Erich that they are approved for the loan. Prayers for Anneliese and Doris, may each receive pain and illness relief
    prayers for Marcy, how wonderful to hear from her. Thank you for your kind words and the picture of Lucy. Prayers for continued medical intervention and relief from so many physical issues. Prayers that your helper can continue to visit. Perhaps you could begin to inquire now if there are steps you could take to preclude the insurance isssue?
    Prayers of gratitude that Andrea and Lowell are hone safely. May Andrea recieve help for her healing leg now with American doctors. Were you on the cruise ship that had to be evacuated and towed to shore?
    Prayers for Mary and her mum. May her mum’s appetite continue to be good. May Mary continue to be a blessed support and helper for her.
    Prayers for Lou and her daughter as they determine the best college.
    Prayers for Besty as she enjoys time with Harrison.
    Prayers for Rusty, may he be safe as he travels to work.
    Prayers for Edy and Bill, may they be well.
    Prayers for Jilland her family, may they all feel God’s peace and love.
    Thank you all for your kind words. Some fingers continue to produce pus and to bleed, while other have mostly healed. Three of my toes have healed, but one was very bad and it is still healing. I am under the impression that h may have set up a recordiing device and be listening to Megan and I.
    Prayers and blessings and warm hugs dear UR family

  • Julie Posted March 25, 2019 8:09 am

    Prayers for Connie, may she hear her morning doves today as I heard mine this morning. Spring is soon!

    • Connie Posted March 25, 2019 8:14 am

      Thanks. A Dove came to the bird bath this morning. Have a great week, “Sis”.

  • Connie Posted March 25, 2019 8:20 am

    Perhaps I will watch what I say more carefully and not talk as much! I heard a great sermon yesterday and I think I am becoming a cynic and that will be addressed immediately as it is not a good thing.
    Thankful for:
    A new week.

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted March 25, 2019 9:01 am

    Here I am, Lord!

    Christ’s presence gave me strength to teach and visit my mum at the hospital today until 8pm

    Thank you for all your prayers!

    Grateful for my nephew and his wife to visit too.

    Blessings to all and yes a saw a beautiful yellow bird today although it was drizzling.

    Praise God for His beautiful creation!

  • Andrea Posted March 25, 2019 3:21 pm

    This reading as I understand it is about the importance of building trusting relationships. Listening deeply, showing interest in the other person, putting oneself into the other person’s shoes, seeking to understand, having empathy, these are practices in which I seek to improve.

    I saw an orthopedist today and I do not need surgery. I am so thankful.

    No, Julie, I was not on the Viking ship that had a Mayday evacuation, but we did see that ship in port at Tromsø the day we left for Oslo.

    I pray for your individual prayer needs, dear friends, and for those for whom you pray. I am so grateful for this close-knit prayer community.

    God bless you all.

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