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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

SPIRITUAL FORMATION and contemplative prayer practices, like reflective reading of scripture, enable us to slow the pace of our busy minds and lives. Without reflective moments, our minds race along, captured by the most recent trend or product. It’s astonishing how many words and images we encounter each day, all competing for our attention. It is more important than ever to find time when we may be called into praise and hope for victory over life’s challenges. We receive this gift in worship with others. Worship invites us into reflection on our own life through scripture, exhortation of the Word, prayers, hymns, and support of the community. We emerge refreshed and ready for the week ahead.

—Dwight H. Judy
A Quiet Pentecost: Inviting the Spirit into Congregational Life

From page 34 of A Quiet Pentecost: Inviting the Spirit into Congregational Life by Dwight H. Judy. Copyright © 2013 by The Upper Room. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

Does worship tend to give you adequate space for silence, for the opportunity to receive and reflect on the message?  Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty firmament!
—Psalm 150:1, NRSV

Prayer for the Week

Come Holy Spirit, come.

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

Something more

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Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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7 Comments

  • Darr Sigilman Posted May 13, 2019 7:23 am

    Worship is A very good way to praise God. It gives Him the glory due unto His name. Worship is also A way we get closer to God and clear all of the rubbish out of our minds. And it is the way we ask God for forgiveness for our sins. And worship and prayer are the ways we ask God to do things for us if we ask according to His will. And this is the way we ask God for things we want as long as we ask according to His will and good pleasure.

  • Jill Posted May 13, 2019 7:37 am

    I assume the question is asking about worship during a typical church service. I would desire more time during the service for quiet reflection and personal prayer. But – I must be intentional about my time following the service or the following morning – to be reflective and consider how the message spoke to me, what God wants me to take away from the service.
    Yesterday morning – it was so good to be in church. I was not sorrowful at all; but, rather, in very good spirits. I know people were afraid to ask how I was doing and kinda tip-toed around me. Some said they were praying for me. Had anyone asked, I would have loved to tell them that I was really doing well…really. I get that it is awkward and they might not have believed my response…but I would have loved to have had the opportunity to tell them how good I was doing. So – I will just tell my UR friends here!
    Grateful for continued honest, real discussions with my dad. He is falling into a schedule, which is a great comfort to him. He needs “regularness” – he can find his normal in his routine. He says he isn’t crying as often. His church is beginning a “Grief Share” program next week and he will be attending. I believe it is an 8 week course. Grateful that his grandsons were over yesterday afternoon to spend time with him, planted a dogwood tree for him.
    I am grateful that tennis season begins this week. I haven’t played for several weeks and it will be good to get the competitive juices flowing again. It makes for a very hectic ending to the school year – but it is still good.
    My students test in my subject this afternoon and tomorrow morning. Many came out to a review session last night – and I feel like they are feeling prepared. I am happy they are testing early in the week. They have last week’s tests behind them, know what to expect and hopefully go in fresh this afternoon.

  • Julie Posted May 13, 2019 8:07 am

    I thought of church worship also, but I guess there are numerous ways to “worship.” I cannot attend church worship so I spend my mornings reading the Bible and devtionals and this reflection. I connect with others who worship here through this comment section. In church, there is no time for personal prayers or reflection. But in my personal time I can pray and ponder scripture and other’s thoughts.
    I spent a lovely day with Megan yesterday, shopping and enjoying one another’s company.. She and I are so close we finish one another’s sentences and know what the other is talking about even when comments are made with no context. I bought a bouquet of flowers on Saturday and gave them out throughout the day to mother’s I encountered. They were surprised and grateful and most were delighted.
    Prayers of gratitude that Jill and Larry are working through their sorrow.
    Prayers for Andrea and Lowell, April, Betsy, Lou, and Rusty.
    Prayers for Connie, may she post regularly again as her spirit heals.
    Prayers for healing for Edy and Bill.
    Prayers for Mary and may her father’s health continue to improve.
    Prayers for Marcy, may her health improve and grateful for posts.
    Prayers for Robert, and thanksgiving for good condo news and may the imminent move be safe and successful.
    Prayers and blessings and warm hugs dear UR family and thank you for your prayers

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted May 13, 2019 10:09 am

      Thanks Julie!

      Glad to hear that you have a lovely time with Megan yesterday. May you have many happy days with your daughter!

      Blessings!

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted May 13, 2019 9:35 am

    It will be good if after the service, some time is given by personal prayers and reflection.

    But these days, the service is one after another. If not, there will be fellowship time and people rush to prepare food, etc.

    Blessings to all and have a wonderful week ahead!

  • robert moeller Posted May 13, 2019 1:28 pm

    Lately there are so many thoughts bouncing around in my head. The situation at UMC, the paperwork for a mortgage, the loan process, VA approval, activities at church, prayers for a variety of people and concerns, and keeping up with sports has me whirling. Am thankful that things seem to be coming along, but it is a tiring process.

    Very thankful that God can handle all of this and more for each and everyone of us. How amazing is that?

    Amen Darr!
    Thankful Jill and Larry are doing well and better respectively. That is a blessing.
    Prayers for Marcy, Julie, Andrea and Lowell, April, Betsy, Lou, and Rusty and anyone with health concerns. Thankful for Bill’s successful surgery.

    Yes worship, in church, does not provide much time for personal prayer. At home we can and do struggle at times to be in prayer. God proivides sufficient time, we have to make the commitment to use it.

    Thankful for your prayers, they are encouraging and supportive.

    Have a wonderful week, hop you are high and dry with all this rain. Expecting snow here tomorrow morning. It won’t last long.

    Thank You, Lord for the blessings of the day.

  • Edy Posted May 13, 2019 3:29 pm

    I am so grateful to all of your prayers for my son who came home yesterday from Duke University a 10 hour drive. Of course my daughter in law drove. He is very tired but otherwise doing well. I am driving to see him Wednesday and it’s a 6 hour drive for me. And I will be bringing Floyd back to him ( his dachshund) thank you again. I am beyond happy. God is so good and He answers prayers!!!

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