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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

WE CAN’T BEGIN to put a monetary value on a relationship with the living God. Our job is to deliver the news of that relationship to others. Yet, more often than not, we fail to deliver the news with any real enthusiasm, and people decline the inheritance as if they’re merely passing up another magazine subscription or a life insurance sales pitch.

I’ve been wearing out one particular theme recently; it’s foundational to everything I share. But the idea bears repeating because the implications are so powerful and far-reaching: “We need to live as if we mean it! Why? Because God most certainly does.”

—Derek Maul
Reaching Toward Easter: Devotions for Lent

From page 51 of Reaching Toward Easter: Devotions for Lent by Derek Maul. Copyright © 2011 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 changes in your life might help you show more enthusiasm about your relationship with God?  Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

“When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. You also are to testify because you have been with me from the beginning.”
—John 15:26-27, NRSV

Prayer for the Week

Spirit of the Living God, fall fresh on me.

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

Something more

We invite you to pray and share today’s Maunday Thursday prayer. Check out this resource on our website, upperroom.org.

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

  • Jill Posted April 18, 2019 3:39 am

    Through my diagnosis as well as my mom’s – I have learned what surrender looks like, and the reality of experiencing the peace which passeth understanding. I am ready to share this with anyone who is willing to listen. I am ready to give God all the credit and glory for seeing me through these two life changing events. I am going to continue to go to both cancer support groups, because another wanderer may come in – and my experiences may be of benefit when I share. God IS going to use this – likely not in the manner which I anticipate – but He IS going to use this and I want to be ready.
    Grateful to get yard work done last evening after dinner. Grateful for the multitude of friends and acquaintances who have sent cards to me, with thoughtful comments and comforting words. Grateful for continued improving sleep at night.
    Prayers for Lou and her children, Betsy and her family as they enjoy Harrison, Julie and her improving fingers (hopefully), Robert and Erich with progress on the condo, and Mary and her family, continued healing for Andrea and Lowell, and more spring sights, sounds and scents for Connie.
    Thoughts go to Rusty and K, Marcy, April, Edy and others who post less frequently, but are part of this loving group.

  • Sarah Kurtz Posted April 18, 2019 6:41 am

    I am 83 years old and have always said I am going to live to be 100. I believe I will live to be 100. I enjoy my life, my family and my church. I recently found a small lump in my breast, which turned out to be early stage cancer, which I never thought I would have. I am not worried nor do I fear. I plan to have the lump removed soon and go about my business doing God’s work until I am 100 years old or older. Praise God for all His blessings.

    • Connie Posted April 19, 2019 9:06 am

      Prayers for you, Sarah. You are a beacon of light and hope. Now on to 100!

  • Julie Posted April 18, 2019 7:47 am

    I need to TRUST Him with my future. I have never been able to trust anyone in my life other than my grandparents. Not one other person in my life has been trustworthy. I am sure this is why it is so difficult for me to trust the Lord.
    Prayers for Jill as she continues to ease back into her normal routine.
    Prayers for April and her family, Edy and Bill and Rusty and K.
    Welcome Sarah, prayers for your cancer to be treated and eradicated.
    Prayers for Betsy and her family as they face new situations.
    Prayers for Connie, may she be seeing flowering trees as I am.
    Prayers for Lou and her children, may her youngest receive help for her anxiety.
    Prayers for Mary and her family, may they find healing in the days ahead.
    Prayers for Marcy, may she be well and receiving help.
    Prayers for Robert and a resolution to the financing issue. As a veteran, perhaps there is special financing available.
    Prayers and blessings and warm hugs dear UR family and thank you for your prayers and kind words. I see flowering dogwood as well as some new leaves out my windows. Thank you Lord for the renewal of your creation.

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted April 18, 2019 9:13 am

    Thank you everyone!

    We sent off our mum this morning and picked her bones in the afternoon.

    Please pray for my dad.

    May the Holy Spirit comfort him.

    Blessings!

  • Andrea Posted April 18, 2019 10:28 am

    Dear Mary, I am thinking of you today as you lay your mother’s remains to rest. Prayers for both you and your father this Easter, which will be sad for you. Jill, I also keep you, your father and sister in my prayers as you grieve your mother this Easter.

    Julie, I pray God will direct you with the person you will counsel. I pray too for you to be safe and feel safe in your current difficult circumstances, and pray for a resolution soon – a resolution that is very good for you.

    I am concerned about my grandson, now 4, who acts quite spoiled now. He is darling and bright as a whip and he loves me dearly. I pray for wisdom in handling his behavior and role-modeling for my daughter and son-in-law.

    Although my husband has been a wonderful support while I have been hampered with a broken leg,, our house has become quite cluttered and needs a thorough cleaning. I pray to accomplish it in small stages.

    May my enthusiasm for Jesus’ teachings radiate to others.

    Prayers for all dear UR friends through this very holy week.

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted April 19, 2019 4:40 am

      Thanks Andrea!

      May God bless you and your family abundantly!

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