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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

PRAYER IS RADICAL because it uncovers the deepest roots of our identity in God. In prayer we seek God’s voice and allow God’s word to penetrate our fear and resistance so that we can begin to hear what God wants us to know. And what God wants us to know is that before we think or do or accomplish anything, before we have much money or little money, the deepest truth of our human identity is this: “You are my beloved son. You are my beloved daughter. With you I am well pleased.”

From page 37 of A Spirituality of Fundraising: Workbook Edition by Henri J. M. Nouwen with Nathan Ball. Copyright © 2019 by The Henri Nouwen Legacy Trust and The Upper Room. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

Why might someone doubt he or she is beloved by God? How might we as Christians help when someone doubts his or her belovedness?  Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

[T]he Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
—Luke 3:22, NRSV

Prayer for the Week

Creator God,
Give us vision and mission, so that we may find new life and direction. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.

Something More

Learn more about this week’s featured book, A Spirituality of Fundraising Workbook Edition.

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

6 Comments

  • Jill Posted July 20, 2019 6:08 am

    This question hits me square in the heart – as I struggled with mom’s perspective. One possible answer/explanation would be depression. The darkness of mom’s depression severely skewed her perspective on God and His love. I can’t fathom (thankfully) the thought that God could be punishing me. Not my God!
    I continue to pray for my friend and her family as they go through this really rough period. I know that she does not feel His peace as she once has – and I continue to ask Our Father to be so very close to all of them, that they would be able to sense His presence in a unique way.
    And, there are times spent in the wilderness. He allows seasons of varying length and then brings us to the oasis – Himself – and we are fully replenished.
    Father – help us to continually desire Your Will and not our own.

  • dianenjusa Posted July 20, 2019 7:13 am

    lord Jesus son of God have mercy on me (Jesus prayer) lord your LOVE for me has left me alone and barren in my old age – remember all I have done for you – even JOB was given restitution – your child

  • Julie Posted July 20, 2019 7:46 am

    There are times that I feel disconnected from any and all love. The hard road I traveled and the struggle to understand the concept of unconditional love allows me to fully understand another who struggles with this concept. Hardships, loss, disease so many of life’s circumstances can leave one reeling and wondering.
    Megan and I arrived safely in my hometown. However, as I was leaving, literally hand on doorknob, h stated I should “look around while visiting my mother.” I said what and he said “for a place to live.” I reiterated that I have no intent to move to Williamsport. To which he stated “Well somewhere then.” Megan believes he did this just to ruin my trip, I do not know if I agree. Thank you for your patience while I go through this.
    Prayers for Jill and her friend and her friend’s family. May they all rest in God’s loving arms and accept His love and care.
    Prayers for healing both physical and emotional for Andrea and Lowell, Connie, Lou and marcy.
    Prayers for success in new homes for Betsy, Robert and Erich.
    Prayers for joy and abundance for Mary for all the care she gave her parents.
    Prayers, blessings, warm hugs and thank you dear UR family, especially readers who do not post.

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted July 20, 2019 8:26 am

      Thanks Julie!

      Prayers for your situation to improve and may God lead and guide you every step of your life journey!

      Blessings!

      One might doubt one’s belovedness because one might be going through a tough tim and wondering where is God. We may pray for him or her and quote Bible verses or send an encouraging note or card or text or even call him or her to show that we care and reflect God’s love.

  • robert moeller Posted July 20, 2019 8:54 am

    Think it takes a while to learn, acknowledge, accept, and believe that we are God’s beloved. So many things have to happen before it is possible. Making a commitment to turn to God is one of the more important steps to take.

    Thankful that the storage issue is over, brought the last piece of furniture this morning before the weather gets hot. Now it’s continue to find places for things.

    Grateful for AC that is helping us through a warm spell. One more hot day after today and the weatherman says things will cool off.

    I agree with Jill, there are times when going through the valley is very much needed. That there is an end to the valley trip is sometimes hard to determine, but it will come. During these valley times God seems so far away.

    Prayers for Julie and Megan, I hope for God’s solution to the issues with h. Having your own place liv away from h would be great. I don’t know the how of it.

    Thank you Julie for your prayers for the UR family even while you have big challenges of your own. Yes, I too pray for those who do not post, for those from whom we have not heard in some time, and for the serious issues faced by the people of the world. Lord, hear our prayer. Thank You. Lord.

  • J. Sherlock Posted July 21, 2019 11:56 am

    It would be easy for someone to conclude that they are not beloved by God when they are not treated well by humans in this world. Much more of our day-to-day time, out of necessity, is spent dealing with persons in this world compared to the amount of time available each day to try to approach God in prayer.

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