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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

OUR SOULS are—or our spiritual growth is—like a tree. Imagine a circle on the ground. Within this space, the tree of our soul grows. The width of the circle is the knowledge of ourselves and the depth of the circle is our knowledge of God. With sufficient knowledge of self and God, the good soil of humility fills this space and the roots of love take hold. The tree grows strong when the soul exercises its powers of memory, understanding, and will, as well as three key virtues: patience, perseverance, and courage. The soul draws upon these traits for discernment, which leads to the tree’s fruits: charity, prayer, and others.

—Christopher Maricle
Deeply Rooted: Knowing Self, Growing in God

From page 11 of Deeply Rooted: Knowing Self, Growing in God by Christopher Maricle. 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

Spend time today thinking about the roots of your faith, not just the fruits of your faith? Are you tending those roots? Are they still growing in new, bigger, deeper ways?  Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
—Colossians 2:6-7, NRSV

Prayer for the Week

Lord, help me deepen the roots of my faith. Amen. 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.

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5 Comments

  • Jill Posted June 24, 2019 5:23 am

    Yes, I do believe my roots are strengthening, going deeper. I re-read the paragraph slowly – a lot to take in. Humility, discernment. A subtle thing I missed initially – growth occurs when we exercise. And the significance of will…using it appropriately, which includes yielding.
    A wonderful message from Psalm 46 yesterday, given by our pastor on the same day he would officiate his father’s funeral. It resonated deeply with me. Such strength and wisdom from a young man.
    Our church is hosting a tennis camp this week during the morning. Wasn’t sure the weather was going to hold for this morning, but it just might. I will be working with the junior high girls. Dad and I switched our golf to the afternoon for this week.
    Prayers for the group which huddles here – may each find grace and strength, sufficient for the day.

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted June 24, 2019 5:29 am

    Working on deepening my roots, attending Bible study, church service, serving in the choir, praying and reflecting.

    Father God, help us deepen the roots of our faith.

    Blessings!

  • Julie Posted June 24, 2019 8:14 am

    I deepen my roots by visiting this site and absorbing the wisdom of this group. Your words are fertilizer helping my soul and faith to grow deeply.
    Just finished the book “Same Kind of Different as Me.” It was amazing and awe inspiring. It is deeply faith based. I do not believe that God calls everyone to the same work. This book is about helping the homeless (though it is about so much more). and many have felt called after reading the book to do so. I believe there is much need and that God makes a place for wach of us to serve. Need to find mine, one that I can do despite my limitations.
    Prayers for Jill and her tennis ministry.
    Prayers for Mary and her family, may God bless them abundantly.
    Prayers for Robert and Erich, may they be settling in to their new home.
    Prayers for Lou’s daughter, may she be healed from her surgery.
    Prayers for Connie and her husband as they face uncertain medical issues. May God be with them and hod them, giving them strength.
    Prayers for Marcy, may she be well.
    Prayers, blessings, warm hugs and thank you dear UR family

  • Connie Posted June 24, 2019 8:17 am

    The roots of my faith began in a small town rural Methodist Church in Illinois. The roots have grown deeper as the years go by for this country girl. PTL
    There is a little discourse in the family. I am speaking up, but not in anger. I feel there should be more concern for their Father (in one case), but he is oblivious and unconcerned, which is o.k.
    Thankful for:
    Fewer mosquito bites.
    Have a good week, all.

  • Andrea Posted June 24, 2019 9:43 am

    Thank you for your prayers for my daughter. She is awaiting her test results.
    She has a job lined up in a mental health clinic. I have been doing a lot of daytime babysitting, which involves driving across the Twin Cities metro area.

    I marvel at how strong my daughter has become as well as the new closeness in our relationship. I am so grateful for your prayers over the years – many of you know the concerns I’ve had for my daughter since she became a mother over four years ago. She has grown and matured immensely.

    I have been keeping up with reading the reflections and comments, but not with commenting myself. Connie, I keep you and your husband in prayer through this time of uncertainty. Jill and Mary, I keep you in prayers as you grieve. Julie, I keep you in prayer for your well-being and a fine resolution to your difficult situation. Robert, I keep you in prayer as you and Erich make your move. Lou, I keep you and your children in prayer. Prayers for all dear UR friends and visitors. Wishing all a blessed week.

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