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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

Each reflection this week features a meditation written by teens for other teens. Listen for words of wisdom from another generation.

LATELY, MY LIFE has been hard. My parents are getting divorced, I’m going to college, and I’m having a lot of new experiences. I don’t know what I would have done without my two best friends. They would do anything for me, and they stand by me through the bad times. When such a friend comes into our lives, we cherish him or her, knowing that friendship is a gift from God.

—Amelia Rollings, age 19 (Columbia, South Carolina)
Stepping Out on Your Own: Devotions for High School Graduates

From page 74 of Stepping Out on Your Own, introduced and compiled by Kara Lassen Oliver. Copyright © 2010 by Upper Room Books. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. Learn more about or purchase this book.

Today’s Question

Name a time you had friends stick with you through thick and thin.  Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

A friend loves at all times.
—Proverbs 17:17a, NRSV

Prayer for the Week

Lord, lead me to still waters and restore my soul. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.

Something More

Interested in resources for the young people in your life? Sign up for Rising Generations, The Upper Room’s newest newsletter offering. Whether you’re a church leader or parent, this bimonthly newsletter provides tips and tools for ministry with children, youth, and young adults.

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

8 Comments

  • Julie Posted July 29, 2019 7:58 am

    I had a friend in middle and high school and she and I went through many tough times together. Her parents even picked me up at my house one night when my father had a woman in the house (my mother was on a trip with his sisters) and said she wanted to meet me. I have no one now.
    Prayers for healing both physical and emotioanl for Andrea, Connie, Lou, Marcy and Erich.
    Prayers for success in new homes for Betsy and Robert.
    Prayers for Jill and Betsy to find common ground.
    Prayers for Mary and Molly and their warm sister relationship.
    Prayers, blessings, warm hugs and thank you UR sojourners one and all

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted July 29, 2019 8:11 am

      Thanks Julie!

      We are here for you, Julie!

      May God surround you with good and loving friends!

      Blessings!

      • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted July 29, 2019 6:57 pm

        God gave me two good friends and a few others along life journey I am grateful for them and all of you here.

        Thank you God for people who are supportive and encouraging, whom we can share our sorrow and joy.

  • Louise Tallman Posted July 29, 2019 10:38 am

    My family and neighbors were very supportive during my husband’s bilateral lung transplant a few months ago. We live over l000 miles from my family and our neighbors took care of our house and plants while we were living two hours away at the hospital and community post op. We felt very uplifted in prayer from so many people also.

    • Andrea Posted July 29, 2019 3:58 pm

      Julie, you have friends who are here for you 24/7. “A friend loves at all times.” I pray for you to meet friends close in proximity geographically. I pray your current circumstances resolve soon and that you will have a healthy living environment with fresh possibilities ahead. I pray for Louise’s husband and Louise following transplant surgery, for continued healing and support. I pray for Robert and Erich as they put down new roots, may they be healthy and may Erich be guided to promising employment. I pray for Marcy and her caregiver, may Marcy be free of pain, grow stronger and be more independent. I pray for all dear UR friends and for those for whom you pray. God is with us and always our Rock of Ages.

      I had two close friends I leaned on when my mother died, my neighbor, who is three doors down, and another friend who I have become close to through quilting, who is also a lawyer, which was helpful.

      Wishing all a blessed day. Tomorrow I turn 70. Time to review and strive to better myself for these later years of life.

  • robert moeller Posted July 29, 2019 7:10 pm

    All my life, have not had friends so close to me that when I needed help I could depend on them. I have had family members who filled that role. get along with people pretty well, but for some quite unknown to me reason(s), making close life long friends has not be something I’m successful doing. In the last 20+ years I’ve come to the conclusion that my very best friend is the Trinity (Father-Son-and Holy Spirit). They know me better than anyone.

    Thankfully persistent patience got the specially adapted window fitting both picked up from the manufacturer and installed so AC is working where it has been sorely missed. Had survived one heat wave with 2 fans and one AC, now each room that needs and AC has one. It was hot and humid for NH today and we expect more tomorrow so this development is very much appreciated. Thank You, Lord.

    Happy Birthday Andrea! Thank you Julie and Andrea for your prayers and I echo them. Beautifully written and you draw the circle wide. Very hopeful the AC will help Erich’s skin heal and he’ll soon be working. He has a list of places where he would like to apply. Prayers for Louise, her husband, and the helpful neighbor. May healing go well.

    It’s been a long but successful day, time for sleep. Than You, Lord.

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted July 29, 2019 9:52 pm

      Glad that you had a successful day, Robert!

      May Erich be healed and blessed with a suitable job!

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted July 29, 2019 9:48 pm

    Happy birthday Andrea!

    May God’s blessings and presence always be with you!

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