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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

GOD INSTRUCTS us to write God’s word on our hearts, to meditate on it day and night. It is important to God that we know not only the stories but also those verses that speak to us, through us, and for us when we lack the words to pray, praise, or even speak. Memorizing scriptures is not for the goal of winning competitions or conversations or even for a litany of moral takeaways but rather for the nourishment and encouragement of our hearts and the hearts of others. It helps form the spiritual foundation we stand on as we grow from children to adults, from young Christians to mature disciples.

Memorizing scripture also helps form a common prayer language—praise, lament, dependence on God, grace, hope, peace, and joy. In praying the scriptures we identify with the sadness of the Jobs and the Josephs and discover the joys of the Sarahs and the Marys. We speak our beliefs with the words of the scriptures when our hearts feel doubtful and uncertain. We claim the promises of God when the circumstances of our lives are shaky. And we pray the scriptures when we simply don’t have the words ourselves.

—Jenny Youngman
Scrambled Starts: Family Prayers for Morning, Bedtime, and Everything in Between

From page 57 of Scrambled Starts: Family Prayers for Morning, Bedtime, and Everything in Between by Jenny Youngman. Copyright © 2015 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 Bible verses do you remember most from childhood? What impact do they make on your daily life?  Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
—Psalm 119:105, NRSV

Prayer for the Week

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him, all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. (Traditional Doxology)

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

Something more

Looking for a special way to celebrate Mom this Mother’s Day? Give a gift in her honor to your favorite Upper Room ministry.

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

6 Comments

  • Jill Posted May 11, 2019 5:47 am

    Memorization was easy for me in my youth. I could easily memorize verses, state capitols, counties of my state, multiplication tables…the list goes on. And I ask myself – to what benefit is there in my trophy for most verses memorized from vacation Bible school?
    Now, so many years later – are His words, His Word written on my heart? Do I cling to them (like I clung so proudly to my trophy?) Do His promises rise to the surface over my running amok thoughts? Oh, may it be so. But I must remain immersed in His Word – I wish I could honestly say it was my delight. Father, grow that hunger in me – for Your words are the most vital nourishment.
    Joining in praise with Robert for the VA certificate. May the condo purchase continue down the appropriate path. Praying for Betsy’s husband’s job situation, may the uncertainty be minimal and a conclusion forthcoming. Praying for Julie and Megan – that they will be able to enjoy time together tomorrow. For Lou and her children, may they bless her in special ways tomorrow. For tenderness and holding by The Father for Connie and the absence of her daughter. For Edy and a full, quick recovery for Bill. For Andrea and Lowell and their relationship with their daughter, son-in-law and grandson. For Marcy, that she will be able to receive (without too many hurdles) the medical attention she needs and that she continue to brighten those around her. For Mary and her sister as they tend to her father, reluctant to eat. For Rusty and K, April, Jay and others who visit here regularly, may You know the assurance of our Father’s love.

  • Julie Posted May 11, 2019 8:12 am

    I did not have an active church life as a child. But I have memorized scripture as an adult and find verses to help me through my difficulties. I find them reasssuring and empowering.
    Prayers for Jill as she learns to have a Mother’s day after Gloria’s passing
    Prayers for Andrea, may she see her grandson on Mother’s day.
    Prayers for Betsy, may she see Harrison on Mother’s day.
    Prayers for Connie as she struggles with her daughter’s absence.
    Prayers for Edy as she rejoices for Bill, what a lovely Mother’s day gift.
    Prayers for Lou, may her children draw near her tomorrow.
    Prayers for Mary and her family as they gather together around her father.
    Prayers for Marcy, thankful for her post and may she receive much needed surgery and continue to be God’s light to others.
    Prayers for continued good news for Robert and a move soon.
    Prayers and blessings and warm hugs and thank you for your prayers dear UR family. I will be with Megan tomorrow shopping and enjoying being a mom, sigh

  • Andrea Posted May 11, 2019 9:30 am

    As a grade school child, I memorized scripture in a weekly after-school neighborhood club run by a Baptist neighbor woman. Those scriptures have stayed with me to this day – particularly, “Perfect love casts out fear.” I recall hearing a minister say in a sermon that one translation of the word used in the original Greek – that here is translated as “perfect” – is “compassionate.” “Compassionate love casts out fear.”

    Prayers for the needs of UR friends today, and all who stop by here. Wishing all a blessed day. Happy Mother’s Day to mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and those women who teach, mentor or have mothering roles for children and young people.

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted May 11, 2019 10:05 am

    I memorized scriptures when I was a child at Sunday school. Recently, I started memorising the scriptures again so that when I grow old and my eyesight is not so good, I can keep God’s word in my heart.

    Thanks for all your prayers. Grateful that dad is better today. He even had a nap in the afternoon.

    Blessings to all and may all mother’s have a wonderful mother’s day celebration!

  • Jesse Gray Posted May 11, 2019 10:10 am

    Punkin my grandmother would say to me… back then that I was all sounding brass and tinking cymbals.

  • robert moeller Posted May 12, 2019 3:39 am

    The 23rd Psalm and the Lord’s Prayer come first to mind. Haven’t memorized scripture much.

    Was off to hear the bishop answer questions about the UMC Special General Conference. I think the bottom line is to keep hope and pray that a solution will be found in these challenging times.

    Thankful that the condo sale seems well on track to go through. Am at the last point before closing. Thank You, Lord.

    Continued prayers for the many issues facing this country, the UR family, unbelievers, mourners, the sick, homeless, addicted, and those facing natural disaster. Thankful that God is with us through every challenge, sadness, turmoil, and problem. God’s peace be with you. Thank You, Lord.

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