On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:12–13, NIV

Dear Father in heaven, we come into your presence as imperfect, sinful children, who do many foolish things and who are involved in much that is evil and corrupt. We come to you, Father, knowing that your fatherly love is with us through all eternity. Be gracious to us and free us from all the harm and injury we are bound to suffer in this earthly life. May the grace your kingdom brings on earth finally blot out the sins of all people, so that as your children they may rejoice because you have helped them. May your name be praised among all people. Amen.

 

Recent articles on Plough

---

Dwelling in Fragility J. L. Wall The greatest strain on our marriage, my wife and I agree, is building our sukkah. Read now

The Plight of Widows Nadya Williams Jesus paid attention to people whom others considered useless or a burden. Read now

Searching for Solitude Jack Nicholson I found myself having tomato soup with an aged Northumbrian hermit in a Thomas the Tank Engine bobble hat. Read now

A Life beyond Self George Eliot In her novel Middlemarch, George Eliot describes the “epic life” of Saint Teresa of Ávila. Read now

The Wonderland Trail Morf Morford The only thing that seemed to matter was the wind and the rock and every living thing. Read now