Daily Prayer for December 3
And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace. Luke 1:76–79, NIV Lord our God, we thank you that you let light shine out every day and every year. Thank you that we may always look to you, whose right hand will bring order into everything and set all things right, even in difficult times. May our hearts receive strength to persevere and go on praising 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. You have made us the firm promise that your day is coming when truth and justice will arise on earth to the glory of your name. May the hearts of many people turn to you so that they worship you and call to you for help, to the glory of our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. Recent articles on Plough 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 Covering the Cover: Educating Humans Rosalind Stevenson Our designer unveils the next Plough Quarterly cover. Read now The Homeschooling Option Casey Kleczek Homeschooling in America has never been more widespread – or more diverse. We checked in on several parents in Detroit. Read now
Daily Prayer for December 1
Say to Daughter of Zion, “See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” Matthew 21:5, 9, NIV Lord our God, we thank you for letting hosannas rise from people’s hearts and for letting us cry out to you all the more fervently in dark times. Help us, O Almighty God, and help your king, Jesus Christ, to his final victory. For he shall be victor, bringing grace, peace, life, and victory for all that is good, on earth as in heaven. He shall be victor at all times in our lives, enabling us to keep faith in trouble, fear, and need, yes, even in death. Hosanna to the victor, Jesus Christ, the victor you have chosen! O Almighty God, proclaim him on earth. Let all the people know he is on his way, to the glory of your name. Amen. Recent articles on Plough 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 Covering the Cover: Educating Humans Rosalind Stevenson Our designer unveils the next Plough Quarterly cover. Read now The Homeschooling Option Casey Kleczek Homeschooling in America has never been more widespread – or more diverse. We checked in on several parents in Detroit. Read now Grand Canyon Classroom Betsy K. Brown A hiking club is a natural extension of a classical education. Read now
Daily Prayer for November 30
Shout for joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious…Come and see what God has done, his awesome deeds for mankind! Psalm 66:1–2, 5, NIV Lord our God, let your miracles be done among us, and bless us through your deeds. Bless us in Jesus Christ, the Savior of so many people. May your kingdom come to us and at last bring the great miracles that carry out your will and that do what is pleasing to you. Lord God, Father in heaven, we praise you! In you we live, in you we believe, in you we hope, in you we want to live day by day and hour by hour. May your name be honored among us, for you are our God and the God of all the world. Let your light shine among all people so that many millions and whole nations may glorify your name, for in the last days the nations shall come and worship you. So protect and bless us today and in the coming time, and again and again let something happen to bring us new life and strength. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Covering the Cover: Educating Humans Rosalind Stevenson Our designer unveils the next Plough Quarterly cover. Read now The Homeschooling Option Casey Kleczek Homeschooling in America has never been more widespread – or more diverse. We checked in on several parents in Detroit. Read now Grand Canyon Classroom Betsy K. Brown A hiking club is a natural extension of a classical education. Read now What Religion Is Black Friday? Anthony Lusvardi, SJ Plastic Christmas trees in Singapore got me thinking about the globalization of our worst holiday customs. Read now On Motherhood and Climate Change Elizabeth Wainwright Without glorifying community or motherhood, Elizabeth Rush’s The Quickening brings these things into the conversation on climate change. Read now
Daily Prayer for November 28
Watch, then, because you do not know when the master of the house is coming – it might be in the evening or at midnight or before dawn or at sunrise. If he comes suddenly, he must not find you asleep. What I say to you, then, I say to all: Watch! Mark 13:35–37, TEV Lord Jesus, our Savior, we look upward to heaven, for you will come from heaven in the glory of the Father. May we remain true to our calling, watching and praying every day and every hour, waiting for you, who will bring into order everything on earth. Bless us and bless our land. Grant us the joy to see you working through your servants toward the salvation of the peoples. Be with us and bless us. May your living Word work in our hearts so that every Sunday, every festival, and every day from now on may be a day of joy. Protect us. Bless us. May your name be praised in our hearts! Amen. Recent articles on Plough The Homeschooling Option Casey Kleczek Homeschooling in America has never been more widespread – or more diverse. We checked in on several parents in Detroit. Read now Grand Canyon Classroom Betsy K. Brown A hiking club is a natural extension of a classical education. Read now What Religion Is Black Friday? Anthony Lusvardi, SJ Plastic Christmas trees in Singapore got me thinking about the globalization of our worst holiday customs. Read now On Motherhood and Climate Change Elizabeth Wainwright Without glorifying community or motherhood, Elizabeth Rush’s The Quickening brings these things into the conversation on climate change. Read now Teaching the One Percent Dhananjay Jagannathan A Columbia professor defends the spiritual worth of liberal education. Read now
Daily Prayer for November 27
Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. Psalm 25:8–9, NIV Lord our God, dear Father in heaven, we thank you that we may be your children, led by you. We thank you for guiding us in times of grief and never forsaking us. Now, as of old, you are with us, Lord our God, and you show us the way in every situation. Protect us in this present time, and grant us strength to go on patiently even when our lives hold much suffering and distress. We thank you for your guidance and rejoice in your help for our time. Reveal your hand in power, for soon, very soon, your right hand will change everything. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Grand Canyon Classroom Betsy K. Brown A hiking club is a natural extension of a classical education. Read now What Religion Is Black Friday? Anthony Lusvardi, SJ Plastic Christmas trees in Singapore got me thinking about the globalization of our worst holiday customs. Read now On Motherhood and Climate Change Elizabeth Wainwright Without glorifying community or motherhood, Elizabeth Rush’s The Quickening brings these things into the conversation on climate change. Read now Teaching the One Percent Dhananjay Jagannathan A Columbia professor defends the spiritual worth of liberal education. Read now The Critical Moment of the Day John Burroughs A naturalist witnesses the birth of a new day in the Catskills. Read now
Daily Prayer for November 26
Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you! As when fire sets twigs ablaze and causes water to boil, come down to make your name known to your enemies and cause the nations to quake before you! Isaiah 64:1–2, NIV Lord our God, in our times too you hear the prayers and cries of your children. We need to cry out, for humankind has not become your own but still lives in pain and under judgment, and many thousands have to die or undergo terrible things. They should be yours, every one of them. They should all be your children. So we cry out to you: Reveal and glorify your name on earth so that a new time may come and great wonders may be done by your hand. May your name be honored, your kingdom come, and your will be done on earth as in heaven. Amen. Recent articles on Plough What Religion Is Black Friday? Anthony Lusvardi, SJ Plastic Christmas trees in Singapore got me thinking about the globalization of our worst holiday customs. Read now On Motherhood and Climate Change Elizabeth Wainwright Without glorifying community or motherhood, Elizabeth Rush’s The Quickening brings these things into the conversation on climate change. Read now Teaching the One Percent Dhananjay Jagannathan A Columbia professor defends the spiritual worth of liberal education. Read now The Critical Moment of the Day John Burroughs A naturalist witnesses the birth of a new day in the Catskills. Read now The Sacred Sounds of Hildegard of Bingen Susannah Black Roberts In music, art, medicine, and spiritual writings, Hildegard of Bingen sought to express “the sacred sound through which all creation resounds.” Read now
Daily Prayer for November 25
The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice… The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all peoples see his glory. Psalm 97:1, 6, NIV Lord our God, we turn to you, for you are our help. Hear our prayer, we beseech you; let our cry rise to you so that you may send your mighty help in our generation. Continue to protect us from all evil, from death and destruction. Protect us because we are your children. As your children we turn to you, the almighty God, who can make everything work together for good. Be merciful to us, O Lord God. Help us for your name’s sake. Help, Lord, for you alone can bring everything to a good end. So we stand before you in Jesus Christ, holding to every word you have given us and knowing for certain that you hear us. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Teaching the One Percent Dhananjay Jagannathan A Columbia professor attempts to teach virtue to future finance bros. Read now The Critical Moment of the Day John Burroughs A naturalist witnesses the birth of a new day in the Catskills. Read now The Sacred Sounds of Hildegard of Bingen Susannah Black Roberts In music, art, medicine, and spiritual writings, Hildegard of Bingen sought to express “the sacred sound through which all creation resounds.” Read now Help in the Land of Forgetfulness Wayne A. Ewing A husband caring for a loved one with dementia finds dark valleys, but also limitless spiritual resources. Read now The Perpetual Flame of Devotion Richard J. Foster How can we learn to pray in a way that pleases God? And what stands in the way? Read now
Daily Prayer for November 24
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them…For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:17, 20, NIV O Lord God, give us new hearts, teach us a new way on earth, so that through your commandments all people may act in accordance with your Word and may become one. Only you can do this, working through your promised Holy Spirit, and you will do it in order that the earth may become a paradise, a heavenly kingdom pleasing to you. Let your words be written in our hearts, and help us to fulfill your commandments in our daily life. Only by carrying out your commandments may we foolish, sinful people be made perfect, our sins be forgiven, and everything become right and good in your sight. Stay with us, Lord God, our Father. Help us in everything. Let something new, something pleasing to you, soon come into our time. Put your commandments into our hearts, that peace may be restored to the glory of your name. Amen. Recent articles on Plough The Critical Moment of the Day John Burroughs A naturalist witnesses the birth of a new day in the Catskills. Read now The Sacred Sounds of Hildegard of Bingen Susannah Black Roberts In music, art, medicine, and spiritual writings, Hildegard of Bingen sought to express “the sacred sound through which all creation resounds.” Read now Help in the Land of Forgetfulness Wayne A. Ewing A husband caring for a loved one with dementia finds dark valleys, but also limitless spiritual resources. Read now The Perpetual Flame of Devotion Richard J. Foster How can we learn to pray in a way that pleases God? And what stands in the way? Read now Even in the Ironbound Stephen G. Adubato A child of suburbia seeks thicker community in New York City’s enclaves and in a particular Newark, New Jersey, neighborhood that defies stereotypes. Read now
Daily Prayer for November 23
I am the good shepherd, who is willing to die for the sheep. When the hired man, who is not a shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees a wolf coming, he leaves the sheep and runs away; so the wolf snatches the sheep and scatters them. John 10:11–12, TEV Lord our God, we thank you for ruling us with your shepherd’s staff so that again and again we can be refreshed and can delight in what you are doing for us. We thank you that we can have eager, joyful faith even when sorrows come, looking again and again to the good you give us. We are thankful and want to be thankful always. Be a mighty Lord over the peoples, we pray, and protect our country. Show your sovereignty by guarding the flock close beside you and by pouring out your grace to give life to the dying and resurrection to those who have died. O Lord God, hear and bless us. May your will be done on earth as in heaven, so that your kingdom may break in and everything may come right, according to your great purpose. Amen. Recent articles on Plough The Sacred Sounds of Hildegard of Bingen Susannah Black Roberts In music, art, medicine, and spiritual writings, Hildegard of Bingen sought to express “the sacred sound through which all creation resounds.” Read now Help in the Land of Forgetfulness Wayne A. Ewing A husband caring for a loved one with dementia finds dark valleys, but also limitless spiritual resources. Read now The Perpetual Flame of Devotion Richard J. Foster How can we learn to pray in a way that pleases God? And what stands in the way? Read now Even in the Ironbound Stephen G. Adubato A child of suburbia seeks thicker community in New York City’s enclaves and in a particular Newark, New Jersey, neighborhood that defies stereotypes. Read now I Cheerfully Refuse Despair Joy Marie Clarkson In Leif Enger’s novel I Cheerfully Refuse, one man fights against despair (and wrongdoers) in a post-apocalyptic world. Read now
Daily Prayer for November 21
Accept salvation as a helmet, and the word of God as the sword which the Spirit gives you. Do all this in prayer, asking for God’s help. Pray on every occasion, as the Spirit leads. For this reason keep alert and never give up; pray always for all God’s people. Ephesians 6:17–18, TEV Lord God, whose might is over all the world, over heaven and over earth, we want to find strength in you, for you have given us thousands of proofs that you are with us, helping in all that happens. And when we meet with difficulties, we want all the more to find strength in you, we want all the more to hope in you and await your victory. Let your light shine into everything, in life and in death. For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory for ever and ever. Amen. Recent articles on Plough The Perpetual Flame of Devotion Richard J. Foster How can we learn to pray in a way that pleases God? And what stands in the way? Read now Even in the Ironbound Stephen G. Adubato A child of suburbia seeks thicker community in New York City’s enclaves and in a particular Newark, New Jersey, neighborhood that defies stereotypes. Read now I Cheerfully Refuse Despair Joy Marie Clarkson In Lief Enger’s novel I Cheerfully Refuse, one man fights against despair (and wrongdoers) in a post-apocalyptic world. Read now Learning the Violin Maria Baer A mother decides to take up an instrument alongside her young daughters. Read now We Are What We Pray Carlo Carretto A hermit in the Sahara Desert tells us what he’s learned about prayer and contemplation. Read now