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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

[SAINT] FRANCIS REMINDS us that divinity resides in every creature. We can see beauty in every face and honor life in all its forms. Centuries later, Albert Schweitzer described this attitude in terms of reverence for life. Seeing the holiness in creation challenges us to claim our role as planetary healers through a simpler lifestyle, protection of endangered species and wilderness lands, and advocacy for policies that respond to global climate change. We can celebrate life by living more simply. We can prayerfully consider our patterns of consumption and discover how our local community can respond to global climate change. Life is beautiful, and God calls us as partners in healing the planet, locally and globally.

—Bruce G. Epperly, The Mystic in You: Discovering a God-Filled World (Upper Room Books, 2018)

Today’s Question

Name something you can do to better care for the environment. Does seeing the holiness in everything motivate you to help heal the environment?  Share your thoughts.

Today’s Scripture

“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
—1 John 4:11 (NRSV)

Prayer for the Week

Peace Prayer of Saint Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room or share it in the comment section.

Something More

The Academy for Spiritual Formation creates transformative space for people to be in communion with God, self, others, and creation for the sake of the world. Learn more.

Lectionary Readings

(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)

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9 Comments

  • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted September 9, 2019 5:22 am

    I recycle my jeans and t shirts. Made them into bags. I also use public transport although I have a driving license and can afford to buy a car.

    Blessings!

  • Julie Posted September 9, 2019 8:39 am

    I am without power and hence internet.
    So using my phone with no separate keyboard.
    Prayers UR family

    • Bj Posted September 9, 2019 8:58 am

      Good morning UR family! Julie, I love your contentment. It is like a blind man can’t see, but can walk. God made a way for you this blessed day. No power and internet, but you were still able to post some. Mary, I am wondering what king of bags you make with old clothes.

      • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted September 9, 2019 9:13 am

        It’s the no sew kind I learned from utube quite a few ways ago. You just cut away the sleeves of the t shirt. The bottom of it, you can cut strips and tie them two by two. I use them at home to organize my stuff.

        • Bj Posted September 9, 2019 9:28 am

          Thanks, Mary! Nice idea.

          • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted September 17, 2019 2:34 am

            You are most welcome, Bj!

    • Mary Ng Shwu Ling Posted September 9, 2019 8:59 am

      Julie, may your electricity be restored soon.

      Keeping you in prayer.

  • Julie Posted September 9, 2019 11:19 am

    Thank you Mary for your prayers. When I said prayers UR I meant I am praying for you.
    BJ, I felt sorry for myself for about a second then I thought of the people in the Bahamas. I am so fortunate to have a roof over my head and all my family safe. I know that electrity will return soon and it did. I still have no internet or tv. But so many do not know when electricity will be restored or when they will have shelter or food. I pray for them.

  • Jill Posted September 10, 2019 4:08 am

    I probably don’t think about the environment as much as I should. But, I try to do my part with recycling, both at home and at school. Try to be mindful of not being wasteful. Yes, Julie, certainly when we can see the devastation following natural disasters – we have a heightened awareness and appreciation.
    This makes me think about the part of Psalm 62…v. 9 – “Those of low estate are but a breath, those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath.” The wind blows where it may (also from the Bible, I think…) – we are all vulnerable, no matter our social status – and we need to cling to what is imperishable – Our Mighty God, Our Refuge.
    April – thank you for your thoughtful post from a few days ago.

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