Daily Prayer for December 15

A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain.” Isaiah 40:3–4, RSV Lord our God, open our ears and our hearts so that we hear you speaking and can follow the voice that cries out to us. May we be a people who prepare the way for you. Grant each of us strength to give up everything at the right moment and to realize, “The way to my heart should be leveled too. It should be straight and level all around me and in the whole world.” The light is now shining for us in Jesus Christ, and through him we want to find strength and help, to the glory of your name. Through hearing his voice we will find help. Help will be very near to us, and the mighty hand of the Lord Jesus will be over us in every need. For this he came. We can believe in his help, and we long for it. Hear the inmost longing of each one of us, and make us part of your people so that we may keep hope in our hearts and serve you on earth. Praise to your name, O Father in heaven, that you have put us on earth and that we can draw strength from the One who fights and is victorious, Jesus Christ. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough How Math Makes You a Better Person Frederick K. S. Leung Across cultures, I found that math can be more than mere problem-solving. Read now Your Guardian Angel Is Always Present Bernard of Clairvaux With angelic protection, you will walk on the asp and the basilisk; you will trample the lion and the dragon underfoot. Read now Trumpet Man Robert Lee Williams A mystery man sporting a salt-and-pepper afro blew a golden trumpet in the prison yard. His tune took me back to the streets. Read now The Reluctant Goddess and the Roasted Hogs Lisabeth Button A Bruderhof teacher applies lessons from her mentors and Homer in her classroom and beyond. Read now A Failsafe Cure for Loneliness Johann Christoph Arnold If we look at what we can give to others, our loneliness will evaporate. Read now

Daily Prayer for December 14

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever. Hebrews 13:8, RSV Thank you, Father in heaven, for gathering us together and opening a door which can be entered by all who are like children. You open the door for all who have the childlike hope that you are carrying out your purpose, that in the midst of the ruin and sin of world history, life remains, the life of the Lord Jesus Christ, life for all the world. No one can destroy this life, which will soon gather power until all people see him, Jesus Christ, who for the salvation of humankind is the same yesterday, today, and in all eternity. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough Your Guardian Angel Is Always Present Bernard of Clairvaux With angelic protection, you will walk on the asp and the basilisk; you will trample the lion and the dragon underfoot. Read now Trumpet Man Robert Lee Williams A mystery man sporting a salt-and-pepper afro blew a golden trumpet in the prison yard. His tune took me back to the streets. Read now The Reluctant Goddess and the Roasted Hogs Lisabeth Button A Bruderhof teacher applies lessons from her mentors and Homer in her classroom and beyond. Read now A Failsafe Cure for Loneliness Johann Christoph Arnold If we look at what we can give to others, our loneliness will evaporate. Read now For Such a King Kelsi Folsom Don’t be surprised to find politically subversive messages in Gian Carlo Menotti’s classic children’s opera Amahl and the Night Visitors. Read now

Daily Prayer for December 13

I will give you a new heart and a new mind. I will take away your stubborn heart of stone and give you an obedient heart. I will put my spirit in you and will see to it that you follow my laws and keep all the commands I have given you. Ezekiel 36:26–27, TEV Lord our God, may our lives be awakened, for you send your Spirit to blow through heaven and earth and you stir everything to life. May we long for your Spirit’s prompting. Grant that we not be overpowered by evil and sin. May we be born anew to be fighters for the highest good on earth, which leads into heaven. Hear the prayers of all people far and near who are sighing for the Savior. We pray for them all as we pray for ourselves, and you will hear our prayer. You will send power to lift up their hearts and souls so that there may be a great throng of your joyful people on earth. In spite of all the misfortune, adversity, and danger in the world, there will be a people exulting from one end of the earth to the other, a people trusting in you and sure of victory through the great grace you give in answer to our prayers. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough Trumpet Man Robert Lee Williams A mystery man sporting a salt-and-pepper afro blew a golden trumpet in the prison yard. His tune took me back to the streets. Read now The Reluctant Goddess and the Roasted Hogs Lisabeth Button A Bruderhof teacher applies lessons from her mentors and Homer in her classroom and beyond. Read now A Failsafe Cure for Loneliness Johann Christoph Arnold If we look at what we can give to others, our loneliness will evaporate. Read now For Such a King Kelsi Folsom Don’t be surprised to find politically subversive messages in Gian Carlo Menotti’s classic children’s opera Amahl and the Night Visitors. Read now Book Tour: Of Gods and Ghosts Phil Christman Reviewing Lake of Darkness by Adam Roberts, All Things Are Full of Gods by David Bentley Hart, and Concerning the Future of Souls by Joy Williams. Read now

Daily Prayer for December 12

He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. John 1:11–12, NIV Lord our God, we thank you for allowing us to be called your children. We thank you for giving us the power to become more truly your children, so that there may be a witness to your name on earth, so that again and again in the name of Jesus Christ new power may come for body and soul, for the happy and unhappy, for all who are still following false paths, for all who suffer so much grief, fear, and need. We thank you and we praise your name. Help us on our way. Help us weak people who often grow anxious and afraid. Help us in everything. Help us especially in the concern we have deepest in our hearts, that your name may be honored, your kingdom come, and your will be done on earth as in heaven. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough The Reluctant Goddess and the Roasted Hogs Lisabeth Button A Bruderhof teacher applies lessons from her mentors and Homer in her classroom and beyond. Read now A Failsafe Cure for Loneliness Johann Christoph Arnold If we look at what we can give to others, our loneliness will evaporate. Read now For Such a King Kelsi Folsom Don’t be surprised to find politically subversive messages in Gian Carlo Menotti’s classic children’s opera Amahl and the Night Visitors. Read now Book Tour: Of Gods and Ghosts Phil Christman Reviewing Lake of Darkness by Adam Roberts, All Things Are Full of Gods by David Bentley Hart, and Concerning the Future of Souls by Joy Williams. Read now Not Enough Christmas Music Terence Sweeney We barely have any Christmas music at all. We have too much Advent music. Read now

Daily Prayer for December 11

Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing. Psalm 16:1–2, NIV Dear Father in heaven, look on us as your children, and grant that we may feel in you the highest good for time and eternity. Even if we have to deny ourselves and make great sacrifices, you remain our treasure, our riches, our love, and our joy. Give us strength as a gathered people ready to serve you. Grant us your Spirit whenever we do not understand what we should do. Shelter us always in your hands, and allow us to see your miracles in souls and in bodies. For you are our God, the Almighty, and you find the way to help in everything. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough A Failsafe Cure for Loneliness Johann Christoph Arnold If we look at what we can give to others, our loneliness will evaporate. Read now For Such a King Kelsi Folsom Don’t be surprised to find politically subversive messages in Gian Carlo Menotti’s classic children’s opera Amahl and the Night Visitors. Read now Book Tour: Of Gods and Ghosts Phil Christman Reviewing Lake of Darkness by Adam Roberts, All Things Are Full of Gods by David Bentley Hart, and Concerning the Future of Souls by Joy Williams. Read now Not Enough Christmas Music Terence Sweeney We barely have any Christmas music at all. We have too much Advent music. Read now A Sky Full of Children Madeleine L’Engle Don’t try to explain the Incarnation to me! It is further from being explainable than the furthest star in the furthest galaxy. Read now

Daily Prayer for December 10

But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves. Malachi 4:2, NIV Lord our God, we think of all the people who have trusted in you. We remember all the signs and wonders you have shown to establish your name among us. We belong to those who hold to you today; may our hearts be kept faithful through your Spirit. Even if there are great hardships in our times and everything seems on the verge of collapse, even if the world perishes, you, O God, are our stronghold. This truth remains forever. In you we want to hold true until your great day comes, until the power of the Savior is revealed in many people so that in their misery they can believe and find help and comfort. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough Book Tour: Of Gods and Ghosts Phil Christman Reviewing Lake of Darkness by Adam Roberts, All Things Are Full of Gods by David Bentley Hart, and Concerning the Future of Souls by Joy Williams. Read now Not Enough Christmas Music Terence Sweeney We barely have any Christmas music at all. We have too much Advent music. Read now A Sky Full of Children Madeleine L’Engle Don’t try to explain the Incarnation to me! It is further from being explainable than the furthest star in the furthest galaxy. Read now The School that Escaped to the Alps Marianne Wright Faced with a Nazi takeover, the first Bruderhof school took refuge in Liechtenstein. Read now Should I Read Scary Fairy Tales to My Child? Stephanie Ebert My kids already know the world is not safe. Will dragons and goblins make it worse? Read now

Daily Prayer for December 9

But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 4:29, NIV Lord our God, we seek your face and long to find you. May we find you as your people found you in times past when you drew near with many signs and miracles. May our hearts come before you in awe and trust and draw their strength from you. May many in our time seek you and receive your comfort and help, for you provide strength and courage for the poor and destitute, for the suffering and the dying. Do not let our age pass by in vain, O great and almighty God. A new time must surely come, a new day must be born from this present age. This is your will, and in your will we trust. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough Not Enough Christmas Music Terence Sweeney We barely have any Christmas music at all. We have too much Advent music. Read now A Sky Full of Children Madeleine L’Engle Don’t try to explain the Incarnation to me! It is further from being explainable than the furthest star in the furthest galaxy. Read now The School that Escaped to the Alps Marianne Wright Faced with a Nazi takeover, the first Bruderhof school took refuge in Liechtenstein. Read now Should I Read Scary Fairy Tales to My Child? Stephanie Ebert My kids already know the world is not safe. Will dragons and goblins make it worse? Read now Why I Became a Firefighter Brit Frazier A priest joins her local volunteer fire department. Read now

Daily Prayer for December 7

In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and peoples will stream to it. Many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. Micah 4:1–2, NIV Lord our God, we gather in your presence, coming from this world so full of suffering, grief, and misfortune that we could well be afraid. But we do not have to rely on this world. We can come to you, the almighty God. You are our Father, and no matter what may come, we remain your children and receive your blessing. So protect us in this present time. Even if a flood of evil seems about to break over us and our hearts are heavy, you will uphold us. You will strengthen us so that we can bear this time patiently, hoping in you and in what you do for all people, who are your people just as we are. May the praise of your name be in our hearts for ever and ever. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough The School that Escaped to the Alps Marianne Wright Faced with a Nazi takeover, the first Bruderhof school took refuge in Liechtenstein. Read now Should I Read Scary Fairy Tales to My Child? Stephanie Ebert My kids already know the world is not safe. Will dragons and goblins make it worse? Read now Why I Became a Firefighter Brit Frazier A priest joins her local volunteer fire department. Read now Why We’re Failing to Pass on Christianity Benjamin Crosby How do you teach Christian basics to those who think they know all about it? Read now Schools for Philosopher-Carpenters Alex Sosler A new crop of innovative schools encourages all students to use their minds and their hands. Read now

Daily Prayer for December 6

“Come!” say the Spirit and the bride. “Come!” let each hearer reply. Come forward, you who are thirsty; accept the water of life, a free gift to all who desire it. Revelation 22:17, NEB Lord our God and Father in heaven, be with us and let your face shine upon us, for we are your children. In the midst of all human planning we are your children who seek you alone, who seek your will, your kingdom, and everything you have promised to humankind. Fill our thoughts and feelings with your power so that our lives on earth may belong to you, so that with our whole will we may put every thing we have and are into your hands. For we want to be your children, to have one will with you, Almighty God. We want your kingdom. This is our will, O Lord our God, and it is your will too. Therefore it must come to pass, to the glory of your name. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough Should I Read Scary Fairy Tales to My Child? Stephanie Ebert My kids already know the world is not safe. Will dragons and goblins make it worse? Read now Why I Became a Firefighter Brit Frazier A priest joins her local volunteer fire department. Read now Why We’re Failing to Pass on Christianity Benjamin Crosby How do you teach Christian basics to those who think they know all about it? Read now Schools for Philosopher-Carpenters Alex Sosler A new crop of innovative schools encourages all students to use their minds and their hands. Read now Educating for Freedom Peter Mommsen Has our society lost sight of how to raise young humans? Read now

Daily Prayer for December 5

Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him. Daniel 7:27, NIV Lord our God, dear Father, you have made yourself known on earth so that we may love you and be loved by you. Give us your Spirit, we pray. Give us your Spirit to strengthen us in the life and work you offer us. Watch over us on all our ways. Wherever your children are sighing and calling for you, protect and guide them with your mighty hand. Let your kingdom spread over the whole world, over all people, over all races and nations, that we may become united as servants of Jesus Christ to your honor. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough Why I Became a Firefighter Brit Frazier A priest joins her local volunteer fire department. Read now Why We’re Failing to Pass on Christianity Benjamin Crosby How do you teach Christian basics to those who think they know all about it? Read now Schools for Philosopher-Carpenters Alex Sosler A new crop of innovative schools encourages all students to use their minds and their hands. Read now Educating for Freedom Peter Mommsen Has our society lost sight of how to raise young humans? Read now Divine Light in the O Antiphons Joel Clarkson Resplendent Advent music that casts away the gathered dark. Read now