Daily Prayer for November 20

Lord, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in time of distress, to you the nations will come from the ends of the earth and say, “Our ancestors possessed nothing but false gods, worthless idols that did them no good.” Jeremiah 16:19, NIV Lord our God, we come to you burdened and driven by every kind of need and oppression, but you will bring light into every situation; in your great goodness and faithfulness you will continue to help. We come to you because you are our help. We want to draw strength from your Word so that we can remain steadfast in these times, awaiting your help and already finding joy and certainty in our expectation. For your kingdom is coming, and your will is being done on earth as in heaven. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough 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 Poem: “And Is It Not Enough?” Malcolm Guite The poet relishes the beauty of autumn, but sees the stripping away that comes with it. Read now

Daily Prayer for November 18

Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Zechariah 9:9, NIV Lord our God, we stand before you and rejoice that you want to be our Helper, our Father. We live in a dark and evil time when whole nations groan and lament. Our need rises to you in heaven, and we cry out, “Help us, Lord our God!” Help that your will may be done in all things and that your kingdom may come. Our task is to pray to you at all times, calling, “Come, O Lord God, in Jesus Christ, the Lord and Savior of all the world!” For in east and west, in south and north, among all nations, Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior. Praise to your name that you have given us this Lord. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough 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 Poem: “And Is It Not Enough?” Malcolm Guite The poet relishes the beauty of autumn, but sees the stripping away that comes with it. Read now The Fire after the Flood Chelsea Boes After Hurricane Helene, neighbors we hardly knew all showed up for a campfire. Read now Christ’s New Command André Trocmé Followers of Jesus are so busy helping their neighbors that it would be unthinkable for them to interrupt this activity to go kill people. Read now

Daily Prayer for November 16

To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see. Hebrews 11:1, TEV Lord our God, we come to you in community of faith and trust, in expectation that you will act. May our hearts be strengthened in all the pain and in all the conflicts of our world. Reveal your will, Almighty God, and protect those you have appointed as our leaders and rulers. Let your will be made plain to them. O Lord God, help your people in these times and give them strength to wait expectantly for what is good, to live and serve in this expectation. Grant your help to all who strive for this. We can all tell of the help that comes from you, for you always support us with your power, also in hard times. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough 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 Poem: “And Is It Not Enough?” Malcolm Guite The poet relishes the beauty of autumn, but sees the stripping away that comes with it. Read now The Fire after the Flood Chelsea Boes After Hurricane Helene, neighbors we hardly knew all showed up for a campfire. Read now Christ’s New Command André Trocmé Followers of Jesus are so busy helping their neighbors that it would be unthinkable for them to interrupt this activity to go kill people. Read now Left Behind in Grimsby Simon Cross As one who could move on, and did, I’m left wondering if my years in a blighted British coastal town made any difference to those I left behind. Read now

real HIStory

He wants me to be a reporter, telling and retelling the stories of God’s encounters with His people. MO is at Black Rifle Coffee, Beyond Black is in the cup, noise pretending to be music is on the playlist, and God is in the room provoking: Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me (Psalm 71:18 NLT).   These words in Psalm 71 suggest that he wants me to be a reporter, telling and retelling the stories of God’s encounters with His people. At least, that’s the way I take it. Then the psalmist prays, to God: You have allowed me to suffer much hardship, but you will restore me to life again and lift me up from the depths of the earth. You will restore me to even greater honor and comfort me once again (Psalm 71:20-21). Ummmmm. That old man and the one telling this story know when God is about to show up because he’s been there. He has gone through the fire and knows how God works in crisis to bring a blessing. That’s a story worth telling, so I go to the coffee shop each day and listen to the stories God is still telling through others. God is at work on that today. You see, my God is not buried in the pages of a book, is yours? If your God still shows up, it’s time to speak up — not in religious words or spiritualized “holy” talk, but in real stories of real moments, real stories of suffering and pain. So, tell what He’s doing in your life! Tell about the blessings, the kindnesses, the surprises, the interventions, the rescues, the healings, the miracles, and the unexplainable moments. Speak of your personal discoveries and insights and understandings — the revelations, transformations, liberations, nudges, pushes, and the whacks up the side of the head. Tell about second touches, the out-of-the-blue connections, and all those interruptions, invitations, and instigations. For a moment, forget the sufferings… the fire and crucibles. Take extra time to tell about His fingerprints in your world and beyond. His stories are always Good News. So, may your testimony — your story — be a witness for the next generation. Yes, Abba is still gathering reporters. And their reporting makes Him smile. As far as I know, this was Ron’s last complete post on Facebook. He passed from this life in the middle of a new post, his heart full of a new story, but his spirit going to be with Jesus. I hope you paid extra-close attention to this post and heard it as his triumphant testimony. Ron’s story is now absorbed into Jesus’ story, the real HIStory we all want to share! As the oldest child in my family, Ron became my big brother when he came to live with us after a horrible wreck in college. (From an old photo of Al and Margaret Ware, with Ron Rose, and Phil, Byron, and Gordon Wareas stair steps from about 1966.) I will miss him. However every cup of coffee, which I drink strong and black, will remind me of his smile, his laugh, and his life. MO is with Jesus, and they share outlandish stories of grace. I will join him with Jesus one day because Ron chose to be a witness to the next generation! Will we? — Phil Ware   About the author: Ron Rose has been a unique minister and friend, but he is also a noted author and leader of several ministries. Ron now makes himself available as a listener and friend as he spends time with people on the go and in coffee shops and shares grace and a listening ear connecting them with God who is always in the room!

Daily Prayer for November 15

The land yields its harvest; God, our God, blesses us. May God bless us still, so that all the ends of the earth will fear him. Psalm 67:6–7, NIV Lord our God, bless us, that the world may be blest. Help us, that the whole world may be helped. Grant us your mercy in Jesus Christ, who laid down his life for the whole world. May it soon be revealed that your kingdom stands and will bring our age to an end, a good and blessed end. Grant your blessing on every aspect of our lives, on all the concerns and requests we have on our hearts, and help us to praise and thank you every day. Let your will become known everywhere in spite of the horror and blasphemy, so that even the dying may glorify you and all who have to suffer may praise and thank you because they see your face and recognize your light. We want to entrust everything to you, Lord God. We await you. We rejoice and thank you, for we know your will shall be done. We know and believe that your name shall be glorified. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough Poem: “And Is It Not Enough?” Malcolm Guite The poet relishes the beauty of autumn, but sees the stripping away that comes with it. Read now The Fire after the Flood Chelsea Boes After Hurricane Helene, neighbors we hardly knew all showed up for a campfire. Read now Christ’s New Command André Trocmé Followers of Jesus are so busy helping their neighbors that it would be unthinkable for them to interrupt this activity to go kill people. Read now Left Behind in Grimsby Simon Cross As one who could move on, and did, I’m left wondering if my years in a blighted British coastal town made any difference to those I left behind. Read now No Man Is an Island David K. Anderson After four hundred years, John Donne’s Devotions still contain truths we need to hear. Read now

Daily Prayer for November 14

“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah.” Jeremiah 33:14, NIV Lord our God, may your grace rule in our hearts and your love come to us in glorious fulfillment of your promise, so that in our time we may have community with one another to praise and worship you. Then we will be a people belonging to you and receiving help from you. Bless your Word within us, we pray. Teach us again and again how to keep your Word, how to be your children in deed and in truth. May we be given strength of heart whenever great sorrow comes to us. Let your will be revealed everywhere. Let all of humankind know that you rule, that you help us and will remain with us into all eternity. For our names are recorded with you, and we want to stay with you, Father in heaven. We want nothing else but to be your children in this world, to be children in your care for all eternity. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough The Fire after the Flood Chelsea Boes After Hurricane Helene, neighbors we hardly knew all showed up for a campfire. Read now Christ’s New Command André Trocmé Followers of Jesus are so busy helping their neighbors that it would be unthinkable for them to interrupt this activity to go kill people. Read now Left Behind in Grimsby Simon Cross As one who could move on, and did, I’m left wondering if my years in a blighted British coastal town made any difference to those I left behind. Read now No Man Is an Island David K. Anderson After four hundred years, John Donne’s Devotions still contain truths we need to hear. Read now Two Months of War Defined My Life Héctor Roldán An Argentinian veteran of the Falklands War experienced rejection in the society that sent him to war, but also healing through comradeship with fellow survivors. Read now

Daily Prayer for November 13

In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever. Daniel 2:44, NIV Lord our God, we thank you that you work in us and in our lives and that you show us your compassion, no matter what cross we have to bear. We want to rejoice in you and wait patiently until your purpose is fulfilled and your kingdom arises on earth. Protect each one of us. May our hearts find strength and neverfailing joy in Jesus Christ the Savior, always hoping and believing, always looking to you. For you are the almighty God, who will come in Jesus Christ to establish his kingdom among the peoples and at last reveal his truth in its fullness. Then the knowledge of your will shall spread to all peoples, so that good and evil may come before you and be judged according to your mercy and faithful love. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough Left Behind in Grimsby Simon Cross As one who could move on, and did, I’m left wondering if my years in a blighted British coastal town made any difference to those I left behind. Read now No Man Is an Island David K. Anderson After four hundred years, John Donne’s Devotions still contain truths we need to hear. Read now Two Months of War Defined My Life Héctor Roldán An Argentinian veteran of the Falklands War experienced rejection in the society that sent him to war, but also healing through comradeship with fellow survivors. Read now Speaking Truth to Power George Fox George Fox, founder of the Quakers, welcomes an opportunity to make his case before the Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell. Read now The Natural History of a Prayer Clare Coffey The harvest is great, but the laborers are few. Can a rote prayer make the difference? Read now

Daily Prayer for November 12

For you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night…But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 1 Thessalonians 5:2,4–5, NIV Lord our God, we hold to you and to your promise. Though much is hidden from us, your voice comes clearly to us proclaiming, “Watch and pray. You are to await the day of Jesus Christ your Lord, and you can rejoice now in the midst of strife, distress, fear, and need.” We thank you for your powerful Word. However long the time of waiting may be, your Word remains eternally and will be fulfilled. Your name shall be honored in the proclamation of your Word, your kingdom shall come, and your will shall be done on earth as in heaven. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough No Man Is an Island David K. Anderson After four hundred years, John Donne’s Devotions still contain truths we need to hear. Read now Two Months of War Defined My Life Héctor Roldán An Argentinian veteran of the Falklands War experienced rejection in the society that sent him to war, but also healing through comradeship with fellow survivors. Read now Speaking Truth to Power George Fox George Fox, founder of the Quakers, welcomes an opportunity to make his case before the Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell. Read now The Natural History of a Prayer Clare Coffey The harvest is great, but the laborers are few. Can a rote prayer make the difference? Read now Why We’re Still Atheists Katja Hoyer Thirty-five years after the Berlin Wall fell, few places are as secular as the former East Germany. A German asks why. Read now

Daily Prayer for November 10

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8, NIV Lord our God, the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, who was and is and is to come, the Almighty, we thank you for this wonderful message, which is meant for us too, even though our lives often seem empty and sad. But behold, you make all things new for each one of us. Even though we have long tormented ourselves, the light of life will dawn at last and we will be able to rejoice. Continue to protect us and our community. Wake us to new life, for you have called us to believe and to endure to the end. Whatever sorrows and hardships may come, we will remain faithful, O Lord our God. This is our promise to you. We will persevere and say joyfully, “Jesus Christ is coming to make all things new.” Amen.   Recent articles on Plough Two Months of War Defined My Life Héctor Roldán An Argentinian veteran of the Falklands War experienced rejection in the society that sent him to war, but also healing through comradeship with fellow survivors. Read now Speaking Truth to Power George Fox George Fox, founder of the Quakers, welcomes an opportunity to make his case before the Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell. Read now The Natural History of a Prayer Clare Coffey The harvest is great, but the laborers are few. Can a rote prayer make the difference? Read now Why We’re Still Atheists Katja Hoyer Thirty-five years after the Berlin Wall fell, few places are as secular as the former East Germany. A German asks why. Read now Love the Person You See Søren Kierkegaard Love people despite their imperfections and weaknesses, no matter how they change. Read now

Daily Prayer for November 9

But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. 2 Peter 3:13, NIV Lord our God, dear Father, may we be gathered in your light. Through your Spirit strengthen our hearts to hold fast to you, for you remain our help, our counsel, our comfort throughout our life and in all eternity. Send us Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, and grant that again and again we may find newness of life through him. Grant that we become attentive to him, who is risen from the dead and who will come again to complete the work he began in his life on earth. We remember your promise, O Lord God, and we remain with you. We have little strength, and through us as we are you can accomplish nothing. You alone can fulfill your promise through Jesus Christ, whom you will send to complete your works at his final coming. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough The Natural History of a Prayer Clare Coffey The harvest is great, but the laborers are few. Can a rote prayer make the difference? Read now Why We’re Still Atheists Katja Hoyer Thirty-five years after the Berlin Wall fell, few places are as secular as the former East Germany. A German asks why. Read now Love the Person You See Søren Kierkegaard Love people despite their imperfections and weaknesses, no matter how they change. Read now The Absurdity of Trying to Capture Childhood on Your Phone Bonnie Nichols Scott A mother grapples with the desire to document her daughter’s every smile and giggle. Read now The Problem of Christ in The Master and Margarita Alexander Raikin When the Soviet Union declared Christ a fairy tale, a censored novel daringly challenged the idea. The new film adaptation proves controversial too. Read now