Daily Prayer for October 22
And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul? Deuteronomy 10:12, NIV Lord our God, our Father in heaven, be with us as we are gathered here. Through your Spirit let our hearts grow in understanding of how we can serve you rightly and live as you want us to live. Help us hold fast to all that is good. Free us more and more from everything that hinders us, from all that is evil. Show your loving-kindness to us and to our loved ones, wherever they may be. Hear every human heart that sighs to you, pleading that what is of heaven may overcome what is of earth. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Duty Trumps Freedom in Shogun Adam Fleming Petty A streaming series set in seventeenth-century Japan explores the claims of duty on individual freedom. Read now You’re Probably Not the Good Samaritan Catharine Grainge If you’re a professional do-gooder like me, you’re more likely the priest or Levite, whom everyone expects to do good. Read now Made for Immortality Alice von Hildebrand Gratitude is the secret to experiencing pleasure that truly satisfies. Read now Cracking Open the Rock of Language Alan Rubenstein A student recalls lessons from an old teacher and fellow word detective. Read now Listening to Broomsedge Adam Whipple In East Tennessee, broomsedge is a herald of woe, or maybe a divine joke. Read now
Daily Prayer for October 21
Then another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and he was given a great quantity of incense to offer with the prayers of all God’s people upon the golden altar in front of the throne. And from the angel’s hand the smoke of the incense went up before God with the prayers of his people. Revelation 8:3–4, NEB Lord God, we come before you and ask you to turn our hearts and minds to you alone, to you who have power over the whole world and who can do everything in our hearts according to your will. Let there be light in our time. Hear and answer the many prayers that have already come to you, rising for centuries before your throne, prayers for your kingdom and for your will on earth. This earth has become the prey of evil. We are poor and needy, and you alone can help us. Help us, O Lord, our God and Father. After this misery let your day come, your great day over all the world and over all peoples. Amen. Recent articles on Plough You’re Probably Not the Good Samaritan Catharine Grainge If you’re a professional do-gooder like me, you’re more likely the priest or Levite, whom everyone expects to do good. Read now Made for Immortality Alice von Hildebrand Gratitude is the secret to experiencing pleasure that truly satisfies. Read now Cracking Open the Rock of Language Alan Rubenstein A student recalls lessons from an old teacher and fellow word detective. Read now Listening to Broomsedge Adam Whipple In East Tennessee, broomsedge is a herald of woe, or maybe a divine joke. Read now Talks with an Old Friend of God Fyodor Dostoyevsky In this excerpt from the novel The Adolescent, an old and wise peasant shares his worldview with a young man. Read now
Daily Prayer for October 19
Then the peace of God, which is beyond our utmost understanding, will keep guard over your hearts and your thoughts, in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7, NEB O Lord God, grant us your Spirit, that we may comprehend your peace. As we pray, help us to recognize what must come from you alone, for you are mighty and holy and your will is peace on earth. Your will is peace beyond all understanding, your peace in heaven and on earth and under the earth, your peace that opposes all sin and death and takes away every evil that can be named. We await you, O Lord our God, and you will hear us. No matter how long the battle lasts, we hold out in patience, for we are your children. We shall never lose the faith that your name shall be honored and that all things shall come into harmony with your will of peace on earth, your peace. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Made for Immortality Alice von Hildebrand Gratitude is the secret to experiencing pleasure that truly satisfies. Read now Cracking Open the Rock of Language Alan Rubenstein A student recalls lessons from an old teacher and fellow word detective. Read now Listening to Broomsedge Adam Whipple In East Tennessee, broomsedge is a herald of woe, or maybe a divine joke. Read now Talks with an Old Friend of God Fyodor Dostoyevsky In this excerpt from the novel The Adolescent, an old and wise peasant shares his worldview with a young man. Read now Dwelling in Fragility J. L. Wall The greatest strain on our marriage, my wife and I agree, is building our sukkah. Read now
Daily Prayer for October 18
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matthew 22:37–39, NIV Lord our God, through your Spirit help us to live in love to you. Open our eyes to see your goodness and truth surrounding us your children, even in this troubled world. We look to you, Almighty Father. Protect us in these difficult times. We plead for our country, entrusting it to your care so that love to you may be awakened. Where shall we turn except to you? Where shall we find help except in Jesus Christ, whom you have sent to us to win the victory, to subdue and end all evil in heaven, on earth, and under the earth, and to become Lord, to the glory of your name? Amen. Recent articles on Plough Listening to Broomsedge Adam Whipple In East Tennessee, broomsedge is a herald of woe, or maybe a divine joke. Read now Talks with an Old Friend of God Fyodor Dostoyevsky In this excerpt from the novel The Adolescent, an old and wise peasant shares his worldview with a young man. Read now Dwelling in Fragility J. L. Wall The greatest strain on our marriage, my wife and I agree, is building our sukkah. Read now The Plight of Widows Nadya Williams Jesus paid attention to people whom others considered useless or a burden. Read now Searching for Solitude Jack Nicholson I found myself having tomato soup with an aged Northumbrian hermit in a Thomas the Tank Engine bobble hat. Read now
Daily Prayer for October 17
The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Romans 13:12, NIV Father in heaven, we thank you for giving us light. We thank you for the great hope for a day whose light is not of our making, whose source is in you, a day to come that can touch our lives already today. Keep our hearts steadfast, free of all human wavering. May we always hold to the love you have given through your grace, and may we find joy in your love, which is full of light and understanding. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Talks with an Old Friend of God Fyodor Dostoyevsky In this excerpt from the novel The Adolescent, an old and wise peasant shares his worldview with a young man. Read now Dwelling in Fragility J. L. Wall The greatest strain on our marriage, my wife and I agree, is building our sukkah. Read now The Plight of Widows Nadya Williams Jesus paid attention to people whom others considered useless or a burden. Read now Searching for Solitude Jack Nicholson I found myself having tomato soup with an aged Northumbrian hermit in a Thomas the Tank Engine bobble hat. Read now A Life beyond Self George Eliot In her novel Middlemarch, George Eliot describes the “epic life” of Saint Teresa of Ávila. Read now
Daily Prayer for October 15
On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:12–13, NIV Dear Father in heaven, we come into your presence as imperfect, sinful children, who do many foolish things and who are involved in much that is evil and corrupt. We come to you, Father, knowing that your fatherly love is with us through all eternity. Be gracious to us and free us from all the harm and injury we are bound to suffer in this earthly life. May the grace your kingdom brings on earth finally blot out the sins of all people, so that as your children they may rejoice because you have helped them. May your name be praised among all people. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Dwelling in Fragility J. L. Wall The greatest strain on our marriage, my wife and I agree, is building our sukkah. Read now The Plight of Widows Nadya Williams Jesus paid attention to people whom others considered useless or a burden. Read now Searching for Solitude Jack Nicholson I found myself having tomato soup with an aged Northumbrian hermit in a Thomas the Tank Engine bobble hat. Read now A Life beyond Self George Eliot In her novel Middlemarch, George Eliot describes the “epic life” of Saint Teresa of Ávila. Read now The Wonderland Trail Morf Morford The only thing that seemed to matter was the wind and the rock and every living thing. Read now
Daily Prayer for October 14
I will listen to what God the Lord says; he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants – but let them not turn to folly. Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land. Psalm 85:8–9, NIV Lord our God, you are help, comfort, and life to us in everything we have to endure. We gather before you as poor, weak people, but you can make us rich and give us new life so that our lives prove we hold to your will and to the justice you bring on earth. May we be one in spirit through all we experience in our hearts, to the glory of your name. May the praise and thanks of many people ring out into all the world because you are help and deliverance from all evil. Amen. Recent articles on Plough The Plight of Widows Nadya Williams Jesus paid attention to people whom others considered useless or a burden. Read now Searching for Solitude Jack Nicholson I found myself having tomato soup with an aged Northumbrian hermit in a Thomas the Tank Engine bobble hat. Read now A Life beyond Self George Eliot In her novel Middlemarch, George Eliot describes the “epic life” of Saint Teresa of Ávila. Read now The Wonderland Trail Morf Morford The only thing that seemed to matter was the wind and the rock and every living thing. Read now Encounters at the Southern Border Robert Donnelly Who are the migrants seeking asylum in the United States? Read now
Daily Prayer for October 13
And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So through God you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then an heir. Galatians 4:6–7, RSV Dear Father in heaven, we come before you as your children, longing to be assured through your Spirit that we are and may remain your children. We long to live to the glory of your name under the shelter and guidance of the Lord Jesus in expectation of the great day which shall fulfill all promises made to us. Strengthen us, especially in dark and troubled days. Help us when danger threatens and when evil tries to make headway among us. Deliver us from all evil, for yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory for ever and ever. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Searching for Solitude Jack Nicholson I found myself having tomato soup with an aged Northumbrian hermit in a Thomas the Tank Engine bobble hat. Read now A Life beyond Self George Eliot In her novel Middlemarch, George Eliot describes the “epic life” of Saint Teresa of Ávila. Read now The Wonderland Trail Morf Morford The only thing that seemed to matter was the wind and the rock and every living thing. Read now Encounters at the Southern Border Robert Donnelly Who are the migrants seeking asylum in the United States? Read now Be Not Afraid Joseph M. Keegin Dad’s obsession with outrage media gradually alienated him from nearly everyone as he crawled into a cave of conspiratorial logic and monomania. Read now
Daily Prayer for October 12
Forgive us the wrongs we have done, as we forgive the wrongs that others have done to us. Matthew 6:12, TEV Lord our God, we thank you for the great light you send throughout the world to let us know that you forgive, that no sin is too great for you to forgive. Grant that people may cry out, “Have mercy on me, O God!” Give them the spirit of prayer in their hearts to call, “Father, forgive us our sins.” Send your Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth and humility, and then forgive their sins. Wherever a soul is sighing, wherever someone is calling to you, hear him. May our prayers come before your throne. Hear and answer us. We have so much on our hearts that we cannot rightly express it all. We pray for others too. Father, forgive them. Clear away all the obstacles so that your judgment can be merciful toward those whom you forgive. Be with us. May we be a church community of Jesus Christ, washed in his blood, with strength to face every bitter outburst of the world’s fury and still forgive. May our prayer remain, “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.” Amen. Recent articles on Plough A Life beyond Self George Eliot In her novel Middlemarch, George Eliot describes the “epic life” of Saint Teresa of Ávila. Read now The Wonderland Trail Morf Morford The only thing that seemed to matter was the wind and the rock and every living thing. Read now Encounters at the Southern Border Robert Donnelly Who are the migrants seeking asylum in the United States? Read now Be Not Afraid Joseph M. Keegin Dad’s obsession with outrage media gradually alienated him from nearly everyone as he crawled into a cave of conspiratorial logic and monomania. Read now Tiny House Living Stephanie Ebert I learned a few things from my attempt at the simple life in a tiny hand-built home for three, then four… Read now
Daily Prayer for October 11
Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:3– 4, NIV Dear Father in heaven, we love and honor your ways even when they are bitter ways. We long for courage and strength. Lord, help us to believe. Grant faith to the millions surrounded by death, faith that overcomes everything through utmost self-denial. Let your light shine out to bring life to the nations in the midst of all that is happening. Your light shall lead and guide us, and peace will come, a deeper peace than we have ever known. Remember each of us in all our concerns, and grant that the struggles of life may lead us to peace. If hard and bitter ways should be our lot, help us to remain steadfast, never complaining about our burdens even in the most difficult days, for through grief and trouble the way leads to you. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Encounters at the Southern Border Robert Donnelly Who are the migrants seeking asylum in the United States? Read now Be Not Afraid Joseph M. Keegin Dad’s obsession with outrage media gradually alienated him from nearly everyone as he crawled into a cave of conspiratorial logic and monomania. Read now Tiny House Living Stephanie Ebert I learned a few things from my attempt at the simple life in a tiny hand-built home for three, then four… Read now An American Mother Forgives Sharla Moody In American Mother, Diane Foley recounts her journey to forgive her son’s killers. Read now Paraguayans Don’t Read Santiago Ramos In a dictatorship, literature nurtures freedom. In a democracy, does it matter? Read now