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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

A note from the author: “Celtic Christians acknowledged God’s presence in every aspect of living—from waking to sleeping, from birth to death, from mundane chores to momentous celebrations. They perceived God’s creation as a holy gift. Gratitude characterized their way of being as they affirmed the source of life and gave thanks through blessings.” (p 12)

A BLESSING OF A SUMMER DAY

Bless this day,
All plants and creatures, All people near and far.

Bless the flowers
That sing praises with their beauty, The grass
That cushions my step.

Bless those who stand
With loved ones who are sick,
With friends or family who are lost.
Bring healing, bring wholeness.

Bless the world,
Its war-torn places,
Its broken villages,
Its frightened children.

Bless our bodies,
Our hearts,
Our hands,
That we may be blessings
To all we meet.

—Beth A. Richardson
Christ Beside Me, Christ Within Me: Celtic Blessings

A Celtic blessing from page 40 of Christ Beside Me, Christ Within Me: Celtic Blessings by Beth A. Richardson. Copyright © 2016 by The Upper Room. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

How might pausing for prayers of blessing help change your frame of mind?  Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
—Matthew 5:4, NRSV

Prayer for the Week

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me.
(From a prayer attributed to Saint Patrick) Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.

Something more

Daily Reflections readers; You might also be interested in The Upper Room daily devotional guide, distributed in 100 countries and 33 languages around the world. Subscribe here.

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

13 Comments

  • Julie Posted June 11, 2019 8:06 am

    Pausing throughout the day to pray for others and their needs grounds me in God’s provisions. God has given me so much despite my many hardships. I am reminded of my blessings and that I am not the only one suffering. I am also reminded of each little thing that I am blessed with, even sunlight and rain.
    Prayers for Mary and her family as they mourn. May others bless them with their love and support.
    Prayers for Marcy and Mary, caregiver, may they both be well.
    Prayers for Robert and Erich, may the move go smoothly.
    Prayers for Connie and may her health improve so she may better enjoy this beautiful, restorative time of year.
    Prayers for Andrea, Lowell and Betsy and their grandchildren.
    Prayers for Jill, Larry, Louu and her daughter as they travel.
    Prayers, blessings, warm hugs and thank you dear UR family

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted June 12, 2019 4:02 am

      Thanks so much dear Julie!

      May God bless you and your family abundantly!

  • Nancy B Posted June 11, 2019 8:15 am

    Pausing with a prayer of gratitude for God’s creation and blessing of others helps relieve my anxiety and thoughts that distract me. Blessing others brings peace to all who are suffering in mind and body. There is nothing to fear when you believe in the power of God’s love.

  • Connie Posted June 11, 2019 8:28 am

    I love today’s Celtic prayer.
    Our church streams its service. Sunday I heard a song “When I feel the Spirit move within my heart I pray”.
    Hello to Nancy B.

  • Andrea Posted June 11, 2019 10:30 am

    This is another lovely devotion by Beth Richardson, expressing the beauty of the season.

    My daughter has started a new part-time job as a therapist. She still needs to take the exams for licensure in Minnesota, which she will do on the 20th. I ask for your prayers for her.

    Thank you as always for your prayers, Julie. I pray summer will hold many moments of joy for you and Megan.

    Prayers all dear UR friends and those for whom you pray. Welcome, Nancy. Prayers for all who visit UR. Wishing all a blessed day.

    • Nancy B Posted June 12, 2019 10:37 am

      Thank you Andrea. Our daughter retired last year from her 18 years flying for Chevron as captain! But now awaits her exam in September to qualify as a family therapist. All prayers and blessings for all women as they move forward in the name of our Holy One.

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted June 11, 2019 10:44 am

    Praise God for your blessings and favor!

    It is raining heavily tonight. Grateful that there was short time of drizzling at my dad’s funeral wake but not heavy rain.

    Thanks for all the prayer support from the UR family!

    Blessings!

    • Patrick T Flynn Posted June 12, 2019 8:09 am

      “Christ be with me, Christ beside me “itc, is the prayer of St. Patrick.

  • Lou Posted June 11, 2019 2:07 pm

    I agree with Nancy- there is nothing to fear when you believe in God. Things in my life have shaken this faith but I work to come around to God and his love and He never fails me despite my doubting and weak heart.
    I’m filled with gratitude for a week of sightseeing in Europe that has gone smoothly – tomorrow morning we fly back to the US – prayers that we get home safe and sound. I’ve enjoyed the time away and spending 24/7 with my youngest. I’m keenly aware that these opportunities will not be as easily available in the future.
    Thank God for this opportunity and time together. Bless the UR family –

  • Marcy Posted June 11, 2019 10:35 pm

    I am blessed to pray for my UR Reflections siblings and friends. Julie, thank you for your prayers for Mary, my helper, my friend, and I. She was with me during today’s procedure, praying with me before and after. It went long and now I await the results of biopsy(s). God put us here on earth to care for one another, love one another and most importantly, pray for one another.

    Sweet sister Mary, my heart and prayers are with you! God is holding you close and so are we!

    Hello Nancy B

    Grateful for the prayers of this family!

    And these three remain: Faith, Hope, and Love, and the greatest of these is LOVE! Sending Love to you all!

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted June 12, 2019 4:01 am

      Thanks so much dear Marcy!

      May God bless you abundantly!

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted June 12, 2019 4:05 am

    Welcome Nancy!

    Indeed, there is nothing to fear when we believe in the power of God’s love!

    Blessings!

  • patrick t flynn Posted June 12, 2019 8:05 am

    Being 100% Irish and raised Catholic, it was and still is to start one’s day by thanking God for his many blessings and the joys of life He has given me and my family. It’s a serene comfort to know and feel the presence of God in your life. I’d be lost without it!

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