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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

THE MORE WE STEEP ourselves in the rich stories of scripture, the more they become archetypal patterns that enable us to make sense of our own life stories. When we find ourselves lost in rage over wrongs inflicted or in grief, the Psalms give voice to our deep longings. When we find ourselves summoned to journey into unknown places, we can take heart from Abram and Sarai, who were called to leave their home (Gen. 12). When we “walk through the valley of the shadow of death,” we look for the comfort of the divine “rod” and “staff” to guide us (Ps. 23).

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

From page 39 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

Is there a Bible story that comes to mind when you think about a recent situation you have experienced?  Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters.
—Psalm 23:1-2, 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

  • Jill Posted May 14, 2019 4:45 am

    This past year or so I have been reading Job again and again. My friend gave me a book – “The Gospel According to Job” and it has been a nice complement to my morning time. Job’s perseverance, his proclaiming “I know my Redeemer lives!” I love that! And I rummage through the Psalms, again and again. Yesterday morning – I was in Psalm 96. O sing to the LORD a new song. For great is the LORD and greatly to be praised. Honor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.
    Grateful for time with my counselor last evening and her encouragement. Grateful to know that I am, indeed, in the palm of His hand.
    He leadeth me, He leadeth me, by His own hand He leadeth me.

  • robert moeller Posted May 14, 2019 6:31 am

    There were two church activities on the same day in different locations. One was a meeting with the bishop to discuss the way forward after the special general conference on sexuality. The other was the annual clean up bee at church. I thought of Mary and Martha when Jesus came to their house. Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and listened while Martha worked to prepare food for Jesus.

    Much was accomplished at both. The bishop sent a message of hope. Through the tough days both behind us and ahead he felt that things would work out and we were in a position of positive change. The checklist of tasks to be done at the cleaning bee was almost completely finished. Thank You, Lord.

    Very thankful to be nearing closing on the condo. Took care of most of the items on the latest “to do” list. Should be done in a day or so. At home things are being sorted, packed, disposed of in preparation for the move.

    Anneliese sees a new PM doctor on Wednesday. I am hopeful that more help for her spinal problems will result. There’s been progress on tasks at the house as well.

    Prayers that this move will be all Erich hopes for and will set him on the path of productive life.

    Thankful for the prayers of the UR family and I pray that your needs and concerns are in God’s hands. God is needed everyday by everyone and thankfully God is with us always. We do not always understand life, God’s ways are not our ways, but we know that good comes from God. Thank You,
    Lord.

  • Betsy Posted May 14, 2019 6:50 am

    This past season my Bible Study group has been reading OT kings and prophets. I especially found interesting the contrast between King David and his son, Solomon. Both sinned the Father in many ways, then went on to rule faithfully; Solomon built the impressive Temple that housed the ark of the covenant. However, David sought the redemptive power of God and as forgiven, but not Solomon. He continued to use his “wisdom” to continue in his sinful ways.
    At the end of the book of Ecclesiastes, after extolling the virtue of wisdom, he reminds us all “ fear God and His commandments, for this is the duty of man. For God will being every dead into judgment.” He saw what his unfaithful actions had done. May I remember the redemptive power of the Lord and turn to him when I stumble.
    Prayers for all UR friends here and the power of the scripture as we seek to know Him.

  • Julie Posted May 14, 2019 8:05 am

    The story of Joshua is the one that I have drawn sustenance from of late. He had a monumental and difficult series of tasks before him, but God repeatedly told him to be strong and couragious. God assured Joshua that He would be with him always and give him victory over his enemies. God told Joshua that He would never leave of forsake him. I remember this every day because I need this assurance from the Lord to get through each day under the conditions I live.
    Prayers for Jill and her family as they continue to heal.
    Prayers for Robert, Erich and Anneliese, may Erich find a job and Robert find a new church family after the move and may Anneliese receive pain relief.
    Prayers for Betsy and her Bible study group, may they be nourished by the words they read.
    Prayers for Andrea and Lowell and improved health and relationship.
    Prayers for Connie and may we hear good news from her soon.
    Prayers for Edy and Bill and safe travel.
    Prayers for Lou and her children and continued close relationship.
    Prayers for Mary and her father, may his health continue to improve.
    Prayers for Marcy, may her health improve.
    Prayers and blessings and warm hugs and heartfelt thanks dear UR family

  • Connie Posted May 14, 2019 8:40 am

    I am here every day with all of you. What does the Bambi character say “if you can’t say nuffin’ good, don’t say nuffin’ at all ! ha.
    I had a good weekend. Call from my son and daughter-in-law, a visit from dear relatives from out-of-state, nice cards, beautiful orchid (I almost bought one the day before!), Brats on the grill at a local store.
    Found a nice deep red Impatiens plant to welcome Hummers.
    Thought of Jill and Mary on Mother’s Day.
    My favorite Bible story is the Day of Pentecost. I can almost feel the “tongues of fire”
    Julie, you are a blessing.

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted May 14, 2019 9:57 am

      Thank you everyone for your your prayers and kind thoughts.

      My dad is weak these days. He is beginning to eat well now. Hope he will be strong again.

      I was studying Kings in the Bible and have observed that their mothers are mentioned. I guess the mothers of kings influenced them greatly as they provided life instruction for their sons. They could also change the course of history.

      Prayers for those who are sick and those who needs God’s guidance.

      May God bless, heal and help us. We commit all our needs into your hands. Thank you for the power of stories. May our stories glorify you, O God!

      Blessings!

  • Edy Posted May 14, 2019 8:13 pm

    My fav verse of Scripture is Romans 8: 28 “And we know that in all things God works together for good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose” This verse was given to me when in 1980 I was a hospice nurse and my patient was a clown for the Shriners circus and a Christian. He gave me a Bible with that verse written in the front pages. I still have that bible today! God truly will work together good, in His timing and us trusting. I am still in awe of His mercy and faithfulness. My cup runneth over! I am not a morning devotion reader, that’s why this posting is late! Packed all day and driving 6 hours to see my son tomorrow! God is so good to me! Thank again all you prayer warriors!

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