Daily Prayer for December 31

In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end. Psalm 102:25–27, NIV Lord our God, thank you for letting your light shine every day of every year. Thank you that we may always lift our eyes to you, whose right hand will bring true order to everything, even in difficult times. Give our hearts the strength to be faithful in this age, the strength to glorify you. For you remain, no matter what happens on earth. You are our God. You have sent us the Savior and we can draw close to you. Your promise to us stands firm, the promise that your day with its truth and justice shall come, to the honor of your name. May many people turn their hearts to you; may they worship you and call to you for help, to the glory of our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough Learning from the Family Cow Goodie Bell What Rosie, the family milk cow, taught me about being a creature – and a mother. Read now Editors’ Favorites 2024 Our editors choose their favorite Plough articles published in 2024. Read now Best Articles of 2024 in Small Magazines Plough’s editors pick their favorite articles from the past year that appeared in other small magazines. Read now Waiting for the Second Christmas Dwight Blough The present misery, need, and decay must pass away and the new day of the Son of Man must dawn. Read now 2024’s Most Popular Articles Shana Goodwin In case you missed them: here are the most popular Plough articles published in 2024. Read now

Daily Prayer for December 30

And Mary said: “My soul praises the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me – holy is his name.” Luke 1:46–49, NIV O Lord God, in exultation our hearts go out to you and your revelation of heaven, your revelation of the Spirit, who can fill our hearts so that we remain steadfast throughout our earthly life. It is still dark on earth. Sin and death hold sway, but we stand unafraid and seek repentance. In spite of all our failures we look to you and know you are our Savior. You send us Jesus Christ in your own glory. The world will be filled with light. Everywhere on earth, even among those who do not know you, the sincere-hearted will come to acknowledge that you, the Father of Jesus Christ and our Father, are God over all the world. You will show your glory to all people so that they may come to you, worship you, and walk in the light, to the everlasting glory of your name. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough Editors’ Favorites 2024 Our editors choose their favorite Plough articles published in 2024. Read now Best Articles of 2024 in Small Magazines Plough’s editors pick their favorite articles from the past year that appeared in other small magazines. Read now Waiting for the Second Christmas Dwight Blough The present misery, need, and decay must pass away and the new day of the Son of Man must dawn. Read now 2024’s Most Popular Articles Shana Goodwin In case you missed them: here are the most popular Plough articles published in 2024. Read now Freedom of Speech Under Threat Paul Coleman and Elyssa Koren From Nicaragua to Finland, bold speech is a Christian’s right and duty. Read now

Daily Prayer for December 29

Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 106:1, NIV Dear Father in heaven, whose might is over all the earth, we thank you for all the love you show us. We also thank you for everything that seems hard, but which you change into help and strength. We want to thank you in life and in death, in joy and in sorrow, for you are the great and mighty God, who calls us to life again and again, who leads us to fuller life. You have given us great love in Jesus Christ, our Savior. He shall always be before our eyes and remain in our hearts. Through him we can cry out in joy, “Abba, dear Father!” Amen.   Recent articles on Plough Best Articles of 2024 in Small Magazines Plough’s editors pick their favorite articles from the past year that appeared in other small magazines. Read now Waiting for the Second Christmas Dwight Blough The present misery, need, and decay must pass away and the new day of the Son of Man must dawn. Read now 2024’s Most Popular Articles Shana Goodwin In case you missed them: here are the most popular Plough articles published in 2024. Read now Freedom of Speech Under Threat Paul Coleman and Elyssa Koren From Nicaragua to Finland, bold speech is a Christian’s right and duty. Read now In Dulci Jubilo Marianne Wright Hear the story behind a popular Christmas carol so angelic it made a fourteenth-century monk stop self-flagellating. Read now

Daily Prayer for December 28

But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Galatians 4:4–5, NIV O Lord God, we thank you for everything you allow us to see and hear. May our hearts become awake and alive through all we receive so that we await your final revelation and recognize your ultimate will for all people, for all nations and races on earth. Hear us in these days, for we know your kingdom is coming. Your kingdom is before our eyes. Your Word, your help, is coming, and in Jesus Christ light will dawn for all the world. Praise and honor to you for all you do! May we see it all before our eyes so that our expectation of the last days is a living expectation, full of joy and blessing. We want to wait in joy, in love, and in longing for the day that is coming to your glory. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough 2024’s Most Popular Articles Shana Goodwin In case you missed them: here are the most popular Plough articles published in 2024. Read now Freedom of Speech Under Threat Paul Coleman and Elyssa Koren From Nicaragua to Finland, bold speech is a Christian’s right and duty. Read now In Dulci Jubilo Marianne Wright Hear the story behind a popular Christmas carol so angelic it made a fourteenth-century monk stop self-flagellating. Read now Joy of Christmas Emmy Arnold My most beautiful childhood memories are of celebrating Christmas. Not surprising, perhaps, for a girl born on Christmas Day. Read now Keeping Christmas Henry van Dyke There is something better than observing Christmas for a day or twelve days, and that is keeping Christmas. Read now

Daily Prayer for December 27

Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David. Luke 1:68–69, NIV Lord our God, dear Father in heaven, we come into your presence and ask you to show yourself to us as the true, great, and almighty God, who can shed light into our misery and change it all, letting us find reconciliation and redemption in Jesus Christ. Protect and help us with your mighty hand. Let every country and nation see your grace and see the victory over all sin and injustice. Let your justice come on earth, and let peace fill every heart and show in every life. May all that happens to us serve the good. Help us always look to you, our Lord and God, for you have power to rule everything and to turn everything to its right purpose. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough Freedom of Speech Under Threat Paul Coleman and Elyssa Koren From Nicaragua to Finland, bold speech is a Christian’s right and duty. Read now In Dulci Jubilo Marianne Wright Hear the story behind a popular Christmas carol so angelic it made a fourteenth-century monk stop self-flagellating. Read now Joy of Christmas Emmy Arnold My most beautiful childhood memories are of celebrating Christmas. Not surprising, perhaps, for a girl born on Christmas Day. Read now Keeping Christmas Henry van Dyke There is something better than observing Christmas for a day or twelve days, and that is keeping Christmas. Read now Where God Enters Meister Eckhart If the eternal birth does not happen in me, what does it profit me? Read now

Daily Prayer for December 26

For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life. John 3:16, TEV Lord our God, our light and our life, in our longing to live by your Word we lift our eyes to you. Let your Word come into our hearts. Let your Word help us to understand our lives and our time, so that we can recognize your leading in everything and gather courage every day in spite of our weakness, sins, and faults. We can still find joy, for your kingdom is coming. We can feel that you are among us, however great the anguish of these times. Let the light of Jesus Christ shine out; let your Spirit of peace and grace come to all nations so that your will may be done. Free people from all their confusion. Release them from their bondage. Make them free for what is good, true, and eternal. May your name be praised among us today and forevermore. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough In Dulci Jubilo Marianne Wright Hear the story behind a popular Christmas carol so angelic it made a fourteenth-century monk stop self-flagellating. Read now Joy of Christmas Emmy Arnold My most beautiful childhood memories are of celebrating Christmas. Not surprising, perhaps, for a girl born on Christmas Day. Read now Keeping Christmas Henry van Dyke There is something better than observing Christmas for a day or twelve days, and that is keeping Christmas. Read now Where God Enters Meister Eckhart If the eternal birth does not happen in me, what does it profit me? Read now The Time Is Fulfilled Eberhard Arnold Christmas did not come as the successful result of any human effort. It came as a miracle. Read now

Daily Prayer for December 25

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6, RSV Lord our God, you have sent light to shine on earth and have revealed your heavenly power in Jesus Christ, so that in spite of all the darkness and evil we may rejoice because we have a Savior. Reveal your power in our day. Let something be done anew toward the building of your kingdom on earth. Let something draw men’s hearts to you to give them light so that they may thank and praise you for all you have done and are still doing to bring the whole world into your hands. O Lord God, let men be moved by the opening of the heavens. May their hearts awaken and their sadness give way to joy in Jesus Christ the Savior. We are your children who are allowed to wait in expectation for you to set everything right. We can know that even in our troubled times your hand is at work to reveal your will, to make your will plain to all generations on earth, as you promised through Abraham. May your name be glorified, O Lord God. May your name be honored, your kingdom come, and your will be done on earth as in heaven. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough Joy of Christmas Emmy Arnold My most beautiful childhood memories are of celebrating Christmas. Not surprising, perhaps, for a girl born on Christmas Day. Read now Keeping Christmas Henry van Dyke There is something better than observing Christmas for a day or twelve days, and that is keeping Christmas. Read now Where God Enters Meister Eckhart If the eternal birth does not happen in me, what does it profit me? Read now The Time Is Fulfilled Eberhard Arnold Christmas did not come as the successful result of any human effort. It came as a miracle. Read now The Busted Bean Maureen Swinger Follow an old school bus’s transformation into a space for coffee and camaraderie. Read now

Daily Prayer for December 23

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and in his grace gave us unfailing courage and a firm hope, encourage you and strengthen you to always do and say what is good. 2 Thessalonians 2:16–17, TEV Lord our God, our Father in heaven and our Father on earth, our Lord and our Ruler, we thank you that to this very day you have guarded and guided us and delivered us from great need. We praise you with hearts full of hope as we continue on our pilgrimage. For Christmas Day is coming with its message of hope that we may somehow bring honor to you in spite of all hindrances, mistakes, and sin, in spite of all death and the horror of dying. We know that you hold us in your hands. With your help we can look ahead, and again and again we may take a small step forward and live to the praise and honor of your name. So be with us now and bless us. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough Keeping Christmas Henry van Dyke There is something better than observing Christmas for a day or twelve days, and that is keeping Christmas. Read now Where God Enters Meister Eckhart If the eternal birth does not happen in me, what does it profit me? Read now The Time Is Fulfilled Eberhard Arnold Christmas did not come as the successful result of any human effort. It came as a miracle. Read now The Busted Bean Maureen Swinger Follow an old school bus’s transformation into a space for coffee and camaraderie. Read now Celebrate Advent with Children Julie Kilcur The church’s liturgical traditions remind us that we don’t need to innovate. Advent is a great time to start forging meaningful memories. Read now

Daily Prayer for December 22

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4–7, NIV Dear Father in heaven, let your joy be always in us, your children. Let your joy bring light and peace to our lives, no matter what happens around us. May we serve you in joy, aware of your peace at all times, so that something of this peace may go out from us to grieving hearts and to regions of the world that are in darkness. Father in heaven, how many unhappy people look up without knowing where to find help! But you will come to them. We beseech you, come to those who mourn, and let them find joy and trust for their redemption in Jesus Christ. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough Where God Enters Meister Eckhart If the eternal birth does not happen in me, what does it profit me? Read now The Time Is Fulfilled Eberhard Arnold Christmas did not come as the successful result of any human effort. It came as a miracle. Read now The Busted Bean Maureen Swinger Follow an old school bus’s transformation into a space for coffee and camaraderie. Read now Celebrate Advent with Children Julie Kilcur The church’s liturgical traditions remind us that we don’t need to innovate. Advent is a great time to start forging meaningful memories. Read now The Great Floodtide of the Spirit Johann Christoph Blumhardt We are dehydrated people and since we need the Spirit, God will give it again. Read now

Merry Christmas!

We pray the Lord blesses you with the grace of Jesus’ presence this Christmas! Our world has faced a very difficult and challenging season these last five years with COVID-19, armed conflicts, political divisions across many countries, and the resulting isolation, travel restrictions, severe illness, loss of life, revolts, and fear. You, however, have blessed us immensely during these hard times as members of our team have buried loved ones, battled cancer, faced isolation from our ill loved ones, and moved to live in new places. On top of that, you — our VerseoftheDay.com and Heartlight.org family — our supporters, subscribers, and encouragers have made these last five years our very best in our twenty-nine-year history. Thank you! God bless you! We appreciate your partnership! Our prayer for you this Christmas is that the presence of Jesus will be near and tangibly real to you. Thank you for being part of our worldwide family of believers and sharing your faith with others. Because we love the LORD, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to fulfill God’s mission and share the love of Jesus with others. We believe that the apostle Peter gives us the words that we need for this season of joy: Though you have not seen [Christ Jesus in the flesh], you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls (1 Peter 1:8-9). Hallelujah! May this inexpressible and glorious joy given us in Jesus be yours in abundance this year for Christmas! Your Heartlight & Verse of the Day Team