Today’s Reflection

In hard times, our experiences stir up doubts about whether God truly cares for us, but here we are reminded about the good news that the divine pledge of hesed, of loving-kindness for humanity and all creation, is ever-present.

—Gabby Cudjoe-Wilkes and Andrew Wilkes, Psalms for Black Lives: Reflections for the Work of Liberation (Upper Room Books, 2022)

Save 15% on this week’s featured book when you use promo code NEM0626 at Store.UpperRoom.org.*

Today’s Question

What would it look like to embody inclusive gladness, big enough to incorporate days that are entirely joyful as well as days shot through with pain, suffering, and institutional sin? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Out of my distress I called on the Lord;
the Lord answered me and set me in a broad place.
With the Lord on my side I do not fear.
What can mortals do to me?

—Psalm 118:6–5 (NRSVUE)

Prayer for the Week

O God, hear our laments, our praises, and our questions. They come from our hearts, and we know that you tenderly care for each of them. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

• Genesis 12:1-9
• Psalm 50:7-15
• Romans 4:13-25
• Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.

*Offer valid through July 15, 2026.

Today’s Reflection

Hope and confidence nudge us to ask an urgent question: “How much do we really trust God?” . . . If we choose, today, we can put our dreams, relationships, jobs, prayers, and our very lives, underneath God’s more than capable care.

—Gabby Cudjoe-Wilkes and Andrew Wilkes, Psalms for Black Lives: Reflections for the Work of Liberation (Upper Room Books, 2022)

Save 15% on this week’s featured book when you use promo code NEM0626 at Store.UpperRoom.org.*

Today’s Question

How can we build our trust in God to intervene, both directly and through human action, to repair policy legacies of racial inequality and cultural patterns of anti-blackness? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

I wait for the Lord; my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;
my soul waits for the Lord
more than those who watch for the morning,
more than those who watch for the morning.

—Psalm 30:5–6 (NRSVUE)

Prayer for the Week

O God, hear our laments, our praises, and our questions. They come from our hearts, and we know that you tenderly care for each of them. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

• Genesis 12:1-9
• Psalm 50:7-15
• Romans 4:13-25
• Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.

*Offer valid through July 15, 2026.

Today’s Reflection

In truth, each of us has the capacity to be wicked. Each of us has the capacity to turn on those we love, to seek what we desire regardless of how it affects others.

—Gabby Cudjoe-Wilkes and Andrew Wilkes, Psalms for Black Lives: Reflections for the Work of Liberation (Upper Room Books, 2022)

Save 15% on this week’s featured book when you use promo code NEM0626 at Store.UpperRoom.org.*

Today’s Question

How does the Psalm suggest we combat our own tendency toward wickedness? How will you follow the Psalm’s advice today? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

Happy are those
who do not follow the advice of the wicked
or take the path that sinners tread
or sit in the seat of scoffers,
but their delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law they meditate day and night.

—Psalm 1:1–2 (NRSVUE)

Prayer for the Week

O God, hear our laments, our praises, and our questions. They come from our hearts, and we know that you tenderly care for each of them. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

• Genesis 12:1-9
• Psalm 50:7-15
• Romans 4:13-25
• Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.

*Offer valid through July 15, 2026.

Today’s Reflection

Yes, through the reception of the Holy Spirit, even the most insignificant of people could enter for the first time into joy of fellowship with God.

—Edited by Keith Beasley-Topliffe, The Upper Room Spiritual Classics: Writings of Toyohiko Kagawa (Upper Room Books, 2017)

Save 15% on this week’s featured book when you use promo code NEM0526 at Store.UpperRoom.org.*

Today’s Question

Has your life ever felt insignificant? How has the Holy Spirit brought you joy despite these feelings? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

‘You have made known to me the ways of life;
you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’

—Acts 2:28 NRSVUE

Prayer for the Week

God, let your Holy Spirit live in me so I can view the world from your perspective. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

Trinity Sunday

• Genesis 1:1-2:4a
• Psalm 8
• 2 Corinthians 13:11-13
• Matthew 28:16-20

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.

*Offer valid through June 15, 2026.

Today’s Reflection

When there is love of the whole consciousness, it wants to save even those who are opposed to one. And an ethical love does not produce an atoning love. Therefore a love of the entire consciousness is of the consciousness of Christ.

—Edited by Keith Beasley-Topliffe, The Upper Room Spiritual Classics: Writings of Toyohiko Kagawa (Upper Room Books, 2017)

Save 15% on this week’s featured book when you use promo code NEM0526 at Store.UpperRoom.org.*

Today’s Question

Do you make decisions based on human ethics or God’s love? Where do each of these paths lead? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
—Matthew 5:43–44 NRSVUE

Prayer for the Week

God, let your Holy Spirit live in me so I can view the world from your perspective. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

Trinity Sunday

• Genesis 1:1-2:4a
• Psalm 8
• 2 Corinthians 13:11-13
• Matthew 28:16-20

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.

*Offer valid through June 15, 2026.

Today’s Reflection

Before receiving the Spirit, one is accustomed to think relatively, comparing one person with another; afterward one thinks from God’s standpoint. . . . [Christians] think of the work of God, and with the feelings of God think of God’s universe.

—Edited by Keith Beasley-Topliffe, The Upper Room Spiritual Classics: Writings of Toyohiko Kagawa (Upper Room Books, 2017)

Save 15% on this week’s featured book when you use promo code NEM0526 at Store.UpperRoom.org.*

Today’s Question

Who have you judged using human standards? How does God view that person? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.
—Matthew 5:45 NRSVUE

Prayer for the Week

God, let your Holy Spirit live in me so I can view the world from your perspective. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

Trinity Sunday

• Genesis 1:1-2:4a
• Psalm 8
• 2 Corinthians 13:11-13
• Matthew 28:16-20

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.

*Offer valid through June 15, 2026.

Today’s Reflection

The Holy Spirit is not the mere power of God. By receiving him, one enters into the life of God. Through him, one stands in the position of God and revises one’s thoughts about everything.

—Edited by Keith Beasley-Topliffe, The Upper Room Spiritual Classics: Writings of Toyohiko Kagawa (Upper Room Books, 2017)

Save 15% on this week’s featured book when you use promo code NEM0526 at Store.UpperRoom.org.*

Today’s Question

Has God ever revised your thoughts about something? What have you changed your mind about because of God? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

For our sake God made the one who knew no sin to be sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
—2 Corinthians 5:21 NRSVUE

Prayer for the Week

God, let your Holy Spirit live in me so I can view the world from your perspective. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

Trinity Sunday

• Genesis 1:1-2:4a
• Psalm 8
• 2 Corinthians 13:11-13
• Matthew 28:16-20

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.

*Offer valid through June 15, 2026.

Today’s Reflection

There is a human inclination to seek God in the individual life, but the attempt to realize God in social living is rare. . . . [True religion] not only looks toward heaven, but also turns toward earth with a feeling of being in heaven.

—Edited by Keith Beasley-Topliffe, The Upper Room Spiritual Classics: Writings of Toyohiko Kagawa (Upper Room Books, 2017)

Save 15% on this week’s featured book when you use promo code NEM0526 at Store.UpperRoom.org.*

Today’s Question

What would your social connections and social activism look like if you made them from the perspective of heaven? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

For I am about to create new heavens
and a new earth;
the former things shall not be remembered
or come to mind.

—Isaiah 65:17 NRSVUE

Prayer for the Week

God, let your Holy Spirit live in me so I can view the world from your perspective. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

Trinity Sunday

• Genesis 1:1-2:4a
• Psalm 8
• 2 Corinthians 13:11-13
• Matthew 28:16-20

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.

*Offer valid through June 15, 2026.

Today’s Reflection

When we receive the Holy Spirit, the first result is an outflow of prayer. . . . Prayer is looking up to the mind of the God of the universe and, making God’s will the foundation.

—Edited by Keith Beasley-Topliffe, The Upper Room Spiritual Classics: Writings of Toyohiko Kagawa (Upper Room Books, 2017)

Save 15% on this week’s featured book when you use promo code NEM0526 at Store.UpperRoom.org.*

Today’s Question

When you sense the Holy Spirit within you, what do you most often pray for? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God; look forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.
—Jude 1:20–21 NRSVUE

Prayer for the Week

God, let your Holy Spirit live in me so I can view the world from your perspective. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

Trinity Sunday

• Genesis 1:1-2:4a
• Psalm 8
• 2 Corinthians 13:11-13
• Matthew 28:16-20

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.

*Offer valid through June 15, 2026.

Today’s Reflection

When we proceed one step beyond this feeling of wonder, we come to feel that we are living in God and God in us. This experience, I think, is the vital experience of the Holy Spirit.

—Edited by Keith Beasley-Topliffe, The Upper Room Spiritual Classics: Writings of Toyohiko Kagawa (Upper Room Books, 2017)

Save 15% on this week’s featured book when you use promo code NEM0526 at Store.UpperRoom.org.*

Today’s Question

What does it feel like to have God as a permanent resident inside of you? Join the conversation.

Today’s Scripture

It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
—Galatians 2:20 NRSVUE

Prayer for the Week

God, let your Holy Spirit live in me so I can view the world from your perspective. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.

Lectionary Readings

Trinity Sunday

• Genesis 1:1-2:4a
• Psalm 8
• 2 Corinthians 13:11-13
• Matthew 28:16-20

Read the lectionary texts courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library here.

Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.

*Offer valid through June 15, 2026.