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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

SOMETIMES you get so focused on the trials in a particular season that you miss the bigger picture of life. Meditate on how God’s purpose is unfolding in this season of your life. How do you feel about your current season? How do you relate to the voices of both autumn and winter? Think about ways to celebrate the beauty of your particular season in spite of its challenges.

—Missy Buchanan
Voices of Aging: Adult Children and Aging Parents Talk with God

From page 30 of Voices of Aging: Adult Children and Aging Parents Talk with God by Missy Buchanan. 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 does it mean to lean into the winter of life with a grateful spirit?  Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
—Ecclesiastes 3:1, NRSV

Prayer for the Week

Dear Lord, Give me eyes to see beyond the stresses of my current situation.

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 23, 2019 5:01 am

    He is with me in each season and there is the hope, indeed the promise, of spring. Of warmth, of new life, of wonderful scents and simple pleasures. Even the ceasing of striving, in some instances. Father – thank You for the promise of Your Spirit’s presence. Thank You for fellow sojourners who walk with us, embodying Your love here on Earth. Prepare us to be that sojourner for another, through their stormy dark season. O Father – blessed be Your Name and may You be glorified.
    I hear that in Marcy’s post – please continue to sustain her.
    Praying for Robert and Erich and continued progress with relocation. Praying for Betsy and her husband, his work situation and the wonderful enjoyment of Harrison. Such rich times as he grows and learns new things. Praying for Lou and graduation events, for her children as they continue to mature and find their ways.
    Grateful for the quietness of this morning. Grateful that my lilacs have burst forth in full bloom and scent these past few days. I will be taking in two vases today, one for my office and the other for my classroom. Hopefully they won’t bother any of my students who have allergies.
    Tonight is a dinner and concert with my dad. The Collingsworth (spelling?) family is coming to a venue nearby. He and mom always went to this concert together and they bought these tickets in the winter. I will be his date. Could be quite emotional, especially coming on the heels of his meeting last night. I am anxious to hear his thoughts on the meeting.

  • Julie Posted May 23, 2019 7:51 am

    I am trying to get through this season by focusing on God’s promise of “a hope and a future.” May it be so Lord for that is my sustenance through each dark moment of each dark day.
    Prayers for Jill and Larry, may they enjoy the music and let it soothe.
    Prayers for Andrea and Lowell and continued slow healing.
    Prayers for Betsy and her family as they enjoy Harrison’s new season.
    Prayers for Connie and her joy in new flowers and returning hummers.
    Prayers for April and Edy and Bill and Rusty.
    Prayers for Lou and her youngest as they prepare for the celebration.
    Prayers for Mary and her father, may his health and appetite be revived by the blood transfusions and may family and friends releive Mary of her burdens so shemay rest.
    Prayers for Marcy and her missive that she is receiving needed care.
    Prayers for Robert and Ercih, may God lead them to better economic and spiritual oppotunities.
    Prayers and blessings and warm hugs and thank you dear UR family

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted May 23, 2019 8:14 am

    Thanks Julie!

    This season of my life cause me to depend on God completely and I am thankful that He is faithful.

    Praise God that dad’s haemoglobin and sodium are normal now. Doc is focusing on rehabilitation but my dad’s appreciate is still no good so he has no strength to do what is required by the therapist.

    Thanks so much everyone for praying!

    Blessings!

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted May 23, 2019 7:00 pm

      Sorry. Dad’s appetite I mean.

      May all be well and may God be so close with us in all seasons of life!

  • Franklin Cole Posted May 23, 2019 12:32 pm

    Ability to listen, understand ,communicate, so others will understand what are the RIGHT RULES LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING not Hate

  • robert moeller Posted May 23, 2019 8:19 pm

    At my age I think I am a young old person. Have to say that I can’t complain about my life. Yes, there have been some bumps, some quite big, but many people have had far bigger problems to face than me. I’m trying to do what I can to help the next generation be able go on when I’m not here. Have been working on it for a while, it has not been easy, but I haven’t given up.

    Praying for those facing or who have faced floods and tornadoes any where in the world. Thinking particularly of the US Midwest, the east coast of Africa, and India-Bangladesh.

    Prayers for Mary and her Dad in Singapore, Jill, her Dad, and sister, Connie and her husband. Thankful to read Marcy’s post with the hope of more to come. Prayers for Julie, her hands and foot, her home life, and daughter Megan. Prayers that Anneliese will get the PM she needs. Have requested what the doctor asked for on health insurance. Prayers for the church I am leaving, it will be losing its organist-choir director at the end of June. Thankful for my time with this church, it has been helpful. Prayers for the UMC and its sexuality concern. For me inclusion is what the Good News is all about. Thankful for the graduation celebration at Lou’s. Blessings and peace to all the UR family.

  • Sandy Posted May 25, 2019 9:24 pm

    Struggling at the moment as I face huge changes in my life, but I’m still able to look back with gratitude on my life, as crazy as it’s been. Praying for all who are in need of the touch of the Lord’s hand. May we be a reminder of God’s presence in the dark days. Praying for all of you who read this and who are a part of the UR family. Blessings!

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