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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 MUST MOVE beyond the concept of processing our personal pain to the place where we can reach out to others around us who are in pain. We can do this in our personal relationships. And we can create those types of safe and sacred spaces in our faith communities where people can share the stories that lie behind their tears. If we rise to this challenge, we become Easter people in a Good Friday world.

—Trevor Hudson
Hope Beyond Your Tears: Experiencing Christ’s Healing Love

From page 40 of Hope Beyond Your Tears: Experiencing Christ’s Healing Love by Trevor Hudson. Copyright © 2012 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 human cry in your surrounding community moves you most deeply at the moment?  Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
—Galatians 6:2, NRSV

Prayer for the Week

Lord, fill my life with resurrection hope.

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

Something more

Nourish your soul. Explore other resources and program ministries of The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

6 Comments

  • robert moeller Posted May 3, 2019 6:24 am

    The need for foster parents and help for foster children is a local concern. Lots of support needed for both parents and children.
    Nationally I’m concerned about the UMC and the LGBT community. Our bishop is having a meeting May 11th at a nearby church. The New England conference, while not of one mind, leans heavily toward inclusion and participation at all levels for everyone.

    Paperwork turned in yesterday and more today regarding the condo purchase.
    There is the possibility of hearing some good news today. So far so good seems to b the current status.

    Had a good day with Erich yesterday on an all day outing.

    Many tearful posts here yesterday to which I want to respond. Will reread and post. Thankful for the sharing. Blessings to you. Thank You, Lord.

  • robert moeller Posted May 3, 2019 7:01 am

    Shipra you are in my prayers for the loss of your husband and your work as a hospice nurse. I thank the Lord for the work you do. My Mom was in hospice for a while and the pastor who conducted her memorial service was her hospice pastor. Tears are very helpful. Our Lord wept too.

    Jill, thank you for sharing your experience. In our weakness God is strong and enabling. The presence of people when someone is mourning is very helpful.
    Words, as powerful as they can be, often are unable to help in this situation.
    I like the “sprinkle” given to an expectant mom.

    Betsy, prayers for your husband and the changes at work. Thankful Kelsey and Harrison are doing well, and you were with your sister Grace when her husband passed.

    Julie, your many God given talents continue to show. Prayers and work as a hospice social worker are among them. Prayers that you will soon be in a much better setting, safe, secure, and healing.

    Evidence that will be acceptable to my son in proving Jesus will face intense scrutiny and skepticism. The faith of millions of people over centuries is strong evidence for me. Despite peril, persecution, even death, their faith did not fade. Efforts to destroy the Bible have failed. Thanks be to God.

    Thank you Mary for your prayers and care. God’s peace to you and your family. Your Dad is in good hands. I’m thankful he enjoys the newspapers.

    Pam, I too am thankful you are a nanny again. I have seen the wonderful things that nannies do with children and am grateful for their care.

    Thankful, Andrea, that you were able to help Sharon after her fall. I pray that her recovery and healing goes well. Prayers for you and Lowell after your own
    foot problems. Prayers for Sri Lanka and those you know there.

    Thank You, Lord, for all You do, have done, and will do.

  • Jill Posted May 3, 2019 7:17 am

    My mother being unwilling to talk about her diagnosis was a very big hurdle for me. It still may be – I don’t think I have cleared it. So – I am drawn to others who are reaching out in their distress and want companionship. I am also greatly encouraged when another is willing to sit and listen to me – I need to vocalize my experiences, my trauma. Not necessarily looking for understanding, but just an ear. My mother was not able to get beyond her own pain to even know how my dad, or I or my sister – any of us, were dealing with her diagnosis and her lack of communication. I want to make sure that is not a barrier for others who need communication.
    Grateful today is Friday – it has been a hectic week and I am weary.

  • Julie Posted May 3, 2019 8:14 am

    I live in a nice area surrounded by areas of deep poverty. There is so much need and so much crime and drug use. There are many gangs. Next Tuesday is a day called One Day where we are encouraged to donate and there are matching funds. Various local relief groups are partered with the project and they will receive the money. I know one is the food bank.
    Prayers for Robert ane Erich, may they hear good news today.
    Prayers for Jill and her continued healing and weekend rest.
    Prayers for Andrea and her neighbor Sharon, may she heal quickly.
    Prayers for Mary and her wonderful care of her father.
    Prayers for Marcy, may she well.
    Prayers for Betsy and her husband and his job.
    Prayers for Connie and may spring flowers warm he spirit.
    Prayers for Edy and Bill and the medical team.
    Prayers and blessings and warm hugs for each UR family member and thank you for prayers

  • Andrea Posted May 3, 2019 8:16 am

    Lsst night I had closure with a support group – art therapy – that I started attending after my mother died. I started the group about a year after my mother died and participated in it for four years. It met one evening a month and involved a half hour drive, mostly on the freeway. It felt like time to say goodbye. I walked around the beautiful garden with small labyrinth behind the building and thought of all I had processed about my mother and my family in this small group, and I had a lump in my throat. I am thankful for the loving closure I had with each person there.

    Jill’s cry moves me deeply this morning. I pray for you, Jill, that you will continue to find supportive, compassionate people to walk with you through your grief, and that you find good rest and sleep well in these tender days.

    With prayers for all dear UR friends, old and new.

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted May 3, 2019 9:15 am

    In my community, there are many elderly so I often see funeral wakes in my neighborhood.

    I pray for those who are grieving.

    Thank you for all your prayers.

    Blessings to all!

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