Daily Prayer for January 18
Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials…Blessed is the man who endures trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:2,12, RSV Lord our God, be with us. Touch us with your Spirit so that our hearts may receive something from you. Let us find joy even in a life of struggle and temptation. Let us find joy in every need we face, even in the agony of death. Protect us through your Word, and let it always be a light to us so that we can follow you and do your will. Be with us on all our ways. Guide everything with your hand until the goal for all humankind is reached and we may rejoice over all the trials and testing because in the end the glorious prize can be won. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Where Is the Kingdom of Heaven? Dorothy L. Sayers Jesus said the kingdom of heaven is among us, or even within us. Why, then, does it remain so elusive? Read now Lernvergnügenstag: A Day for the Joy of Learning Patrick Tomassi Once a year, I get to teach my students whatever inspires me. Read now The Catholic Worker Pushes the Limits Laurie M. Johnson Still going strong after nine decades, a radical movement of sharing and caring proves it’s possible to escape and resist capitalism, to a point. Read now The Three Questions Leo Tolstoy What is the right time, who are the right people, and what is the most important thing to do? Read now Deerassic Park Tim Maendel A high-school science teacher and his students practice conservation in the woods and ponds of upstate New York. Read now
Daily Prayer for January 17
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Psalm 23:1-3, NIV Dear Father in heaven, we thank you that we need never feel forsaken. We thank you that we are led and guided by your hand. We thank you for all we have received from you, your care for our bodies, for our material needs, and for our inner life. We praise you, O God! Continue to lead us, we pray. Continue to work among us so that we can all see and come to know that the Good Shepherd is leading us. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Lernvergnügenstag: A Day for the Joy of Learning Patrick Tomassi Once a year, I get to teach my students whatever inspires me. Read now The Catholic Worker Pushes the Limits Laurie M. Johnson Still going strong after nine decades, a radical movement of sharing and caring proves it’s possible to escape and resist capitalism, to a point. Read now The Three Questions Leo Tolstoy What is the right time, who are the right people, and what is the most important thing to do? Read now Deerassic Park Tim Maendel A high-school science teacher and his students practice conservation in the woods and ponds of upstate New York. Read now Disagreeing Respectfully Joseph Holmes John Inazu’s Learning to Disagree aims to improve civil discourse by showing readers how to navigate differences more gracefully. Read now
Daily Prayer for January 16
I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. Psalm 145:1-2, NIV Dear Father in heaven, we come before you and thank you with all our hearts. You know all that we are thankful for. Continue to sustain us, we pray, and give us strength for the paths on which you lead us. Even when we must suffer and fight long, hard battles, we know that everything has its right purpose and will still lead us to your goal. For all this we praise and thank you. Protect us in mind, heart, and spirit. Keep us courageous, and lift us above all discouragement through your Spirit, who will renew our lives forevermore. Amen. Recent articles on Plough The Catholic Worker Pushes the Limits Laurie M. Johnson Still going strong after nine decades, a radical movement of sharing and caring proves it’s possible to escape and resist capitalism, to a point. Read now The Three Questions Leo Tolstoy What is the right time, who are the right people, and what is the most important thing to do? Read now Deerassic Park Tim Maendel A high-school science teacher and his students practice conservation in the woods and ponds of upstate New York. Read now Disagreeing Respectfully Joseph Holmes John Inazu’s Learning to Disagree aims to improve civil discourse by showing readers how to navigate differences more gracefully. Read now What Do You Say to a Grieving Friend? Midge Goldberg When someone is grieving and you don’t know how to help, almost anything is better than doing nothing. Read now
Daily Prayer for January 15
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. Romans 8:26, NIV Lord God, send your Spirit, we pray, over us and over the whole world. Let your light dawn on earth among humankind. Reveal your power and let your reign begin. May your will be done, O Lord. We kneel before your throne and plead to you. We are weak. Lord, help us. Bless us. Establish your kingdom in the hearts of those who are willing to follow you, who are willing to accept your grace in Jesus Christ. Help us through your strength. Reign over us. Be with us with your Holy Spirit, O Lord God, our Father. Amen. Recent articles on Plough The Three Questions Leo Tolstoy What is the right time, who are the right people, and what is the most important thing to do? Read now Deerassic Park Tim Maendel A high-school science teacher and his students practice conservation in the woods and ponds of upstate New York. Read now Disagreeing Respectfully Joseph Holmes John Inazu’s Learning to Disagree aims to improve civil discourse by showing readers how to navigate differences more gracefully. Read now What Do You Say to a Grieving Friend? Midge Goldberg When someone is grieving and you don’t know how to help, almost anything is better than doing nothing. Read now Reverence for the Child Eberhard Arnold, Maria Montessori, James Baldwin and John Chrysostom Four thinkers prepare us to come into the presence of children. Read now
Daily Prayer for January 14
For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him to serve you. 2 Corinthians 13:4, NIV Lord our God, we come into your presence and kneel before your throne, asking you with all our hearts for your Spirit, so that our lives may be guided and ruled by you, the one God and Creator of all life. Let your Word come into our hearts. Give your blessing on all we experience in life and on all we ask of you as we stand before you. We are weak and poor. We can achieve nothing, and our hearts are weary. But you can strengthen us. You can make everything come right to reveal your kingdom throughout the world. Then all the people of our time may come to know that your will for the earth is not distress and suffering, but your goodness, your life, and your eternity. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Deerassic Park Tim Maendel A high-school science teacher and his students practice conservation in the woods and ponds of upstate New York. Read now Disagreeing Respectfully Joseph Holmes John Inazu’s Learning to Disagree aims to improve civil discourse by showing readers how to navigate differences more gracefully. Read now What Do You Say to a Grieving Friend? Midge Goldberg When someone is grieving and you don’t know how to help, almost anything is better than doing nothing. Read now Reverence for the Child Eberhard Arnold, Maria Montessori, James Baldwin and John Chrysostom Four thinkers prepare us to come into the presence of children. Read now The Most Valuable Joads Tom Huleatt Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath inspires a small-engines project in the English classroom. Read now
Daily Prayer for January 13
Be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14, RSV Dear Father in heaven, give us childlike hearts so that we may understand everything in the right way. Grant us work that bears fruit in spite of our faults and weaknesses, because we want to work with the understanding given by love. Father in heaven, you know that we are faced day and night with many difficulties and setbacks. But you see us, and you will help us so that your name may be honored, your kingdom may come, and your will may be done on earth as in heaven. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Disagreeing Respectfully Joseph Holmes John Inazu’s Learning to Disagree aims to improve civil discourse by showing readers how to navigate differences more gracefully. Read now What Do You Say to a Grieving Friend? Midge Goldberg When someone is grieving and you don’t know how to help, almost anything is better than doing nothing. Read now Reverence for the Child Eberhard Arnold, Maria Montessori, James Baldwin and John Chrysostom Four thinkers prepare us to come into the presence of children. Read now The Most Valuable Joads Tom Huleatt Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath inspires a small-engines project in the English classroom. Read now Does Teaching Literature and Writing Have a Future? Phil Christman Learning that one’s job might soon be eliminated by the emergence of an overhyped new technology puts one in good company. Read now
Daily Prayer for January 12
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. Psalm 55:22, NIV Dear Father in heaven, you let us see and feel your great goodness toward us. Grant us the inner help to be victorious in the Savior, rejoicing to be by his side with faith and loyalty, and with the strength of soul that frees us from all burdens by laying them in your hands. Hear us as together we pray to you. All we ask and long for, all our concerns down to the very smallest, we lay in your hands in the one great request that your name be glorified on earth as it is in heaven. Amen. Recent articles on Plough What Do You Say to a Grieving Friend? Midge Goldberg When someone is grieving and you don’t know how to help, almost anything is better than doing nothing. Read now Reverence for the Child Eberhard Arnold, Maria Montessori, James Baldwin and John Chrysostom Four thinkers prepare us to come into the presence of children. Read now The Most Valuable Joads Tom Huleatt Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath inspires a small-engines project in the English classroom. Read now Does Teaching Literature and Writing Have a Future? Phil Christman Learning that one’s job might soon be eliminated by the emergence of an overhyped new technology puts one in good company. Read now Life Is Eternal Eberhard Arnold When we know that our souls live forever, everything we experience is understandable; when we see ourselves as mortal, it all becomes dark and futile. Read now
Daily Prayer for January 11
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1, RSV Our dear Father, we ask you to come to us from heaven and surround us with your goodness and mercy, with your light and life. We are weak, poor, and lost just when we need to stand firm and hold on. But you are faithful. You stay by us and help us. Continue to help and sustain us, we pray. Do not let our lives be lived in vain. May something of eternity be with us in all we have to face in life, so that over and over again we may find courage to start anew. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Reverence for the Child Eberhard Arnold, Maria Montessori, James Baldwin and John Chrysostom Four thinkers prepare us to come into the presence of children. Read now The Most Valuable Joads Tom Huleatt Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath inspires a small-engines project in the English classroom. Read now Does Teaching Literature and Writing Have a Future? Phil Christman Learning that one’s job might soon be eliminated by the emergence of an overhyped new technology puts one in good company. Read now Life Is Eternal Eberhard Arnold When we know that our souls live forever, everything we experience is understandable; when we see ourselves as mortal, it all becomes dark and futile. Read now The Green Paint Incident Toby Payne There’s no room for irony in a second-grade classroom. Read now
Daily Prayer for January 10
Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins. Isaiah 40:1-2, NIV Lord our God, how great is your love, and how great is your help! May each one of us feel sheltered in your hand, knowing that our faults and shortcomings no longer matter. We can go straight toward the goal you have set, for you will help us through the forgiveness of sins and through all the good you can put into our hearts. And so we ask you to be with us. May we be faithful, believing firmly in your great mercy, so that your name may be glorified among us. May each heart be given the comfort of knowing that everything will yet turn to the good, to the glory of your name. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Does Teaching Literature and Writing Have a Future? Phil Christman Learning that one’s job might soon be eliminated by the emergence of an overhyped new technology puts one in good company. Read now Life Is Eternal Eberhard Arnold When we know that our souls live forever, everything we experience is understandable; when we see ourselves as mortal, it all becomes dark and futile. Read now The Green Paint Incident Toby Payne There’s no room for irony in a second-grade classroom. Read now The Glory of God Is a Human Being Fully Alive Elizabeth Wainwright In Fully Alive: Tending to the Soul in Turbulent Times, Elizabeth Oldfield uses the seven deadly sins to point towards the seven heavenly virtues. Read now Christians Should Be Successful Justin Hawkins The self-abasing person needs a virtue that complements humility and prevents it from devolving into the mediocrity and smallness of soul. Read now
Daily Prayer for January 9
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:57-58, NIV Lord our God, we thank you that we are allowed to live in your love. We thank you for your promise that all the suffering on earth shall come to an end. Hear us when we turn to you with all we have on our hearts. We are weak, but you are strong. May we hope and trust in your strength. May our life, with all its practical concerns, remain in your hands until the day when you will act in might and the whole world will know the forgiveness of sins and will praise and thank you evermore. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Life Is Eternal Eberhard Arnold When we know that our souls live forever, everything we experience is understandable; when we see ourselves as mortal, it all becomes dark and futile. Read now The Green Paint Incident Toby Payne There’s no room for irony in a second-grade classroom. Read now The Glory of God Is a Human Being Fully Alive Elizabeth Wainwright In Fully Alive: Tending to the Soul in Turbulent Times, Elizabeth Oldfield uses the seven deadly sins to point towards the seven heavenly virtues. Read now Christians Should Be Successful Justin Hawkins The self-abasing person needs a virtue that complements humility and prevents it from devolving into the mediocrity and smallness of soul. Read now Two Ways to Look to Eternity Matthew P. Schneider, LC Life is short, and there’s so much good work to do. Does knowing Jesus has saved you change that? Read now