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
Daily Prayer for October 9
They were standing by the sea of glass, holding harps that God had given them and singing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb: “Lord God Almighty, how great and wonderful are your deeds! King of the nations, how right and true are your ways! Who will not stand in awe of you, Lord? Who will refuse to declare your greatness? You alone are holy. All the nations will come and worship you, because your just actions are seen by all.” Revelation 15:2b–4, TEV O Lord God, we thank you that in our times we may feel and see that you are at work. This is a joy and comfort to us and we take heart, although the misery on earth sometimes brings us to tears. We find joy again because you are at work. You are carrying out your will, which includes your plan for our life and salvation. Grant that fruits may appear in our times, for our times are in your hands. Grant that many people from all nations may come to you. May they turn to you in their need and know the happiness of receiving your help. May your name be honored, your kingdom come, and your will be done on earth as in heaven. Amen. Recent articles on Plough 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 What Is the Narrow Gate? Eduard Thurneysen Jesus spoke of a narrow gate that few find, but what is that way? Read now
Daily Prayer for October 8
Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. 2 Peter 3:17–18, NIV Lord our God, we thank you for giving us a strong fortress in Jesus, the only Lord, with whom we can oppose the whole raging, hateful, lawless, and cruel world. Come what may, we want to hold high the banner of Jesus Christ. In him we want to wait for the time when your mighty deeds will fully establish your kingdom for all nations on earth. You are our God and our Father. Protect us, and give light to our hearts so that we can always be joyful and can hope in you forevermore. Amen. Recent articles on Plough 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 What Is the Narrow Gate? Eduard Thurneysen Jesus spoke of a narrow gate that few find, but what is that way? Read now Jakob Hutter, Radical Reformer Emmy Barth Maendel and Susannah Black Roberts In just three short years, the sixteenth-century martyr founded a church that has endured to this day. Read now
Daily Prayer for October 7
I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me – just as the Father knows me and I know the Father – and I lay down my life for the sheep. John 10:14–15, NIV Dear Father in heaven, we thank you that your voice reaches our hearts and that we can say with joy, “We belong to you. We too are yours.” We want to lead lives that show we belong to you, never allowing ourselves to be sidetracked, never again giving way to pettiness, always drawing strength from the power of Jesus Christ. Protect our household. Watch over each of us. Protect us all on our way. O mighty God, be with us in the many dangers that surround us, and grant that we may always be joyful because our names are recorded in heaven. Amen. Recent articles on Plough 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 What Is the Narrow Gate? Eduard Thurneysen Jesus spoke of a narrow gate that few find, but what is that way? Read now Jakob Hutter, Radical Reformer Emmy Barth Maendel and Susannah Black Roberts In just three short years, the sixteenth-century martyr founded a church that has endured to this day. Read now Lessons in Crying Wendy Kiyomi Often I just can’t stop crying in public. Science and the Bible suggest that may be OK. Read now
Daily Prayer for October 6
Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them. John 17:25–26, NIV Lord our God, our Father, give us your Spirit, we pray, for you have ruled over us at all times and loved us with a love that guides and leads us, that helps us go forward in body and soul. Reveal your hand. Grant that we undertake nothing in human strength; may everything come from you for each one whose heart holds true to you and who does the work intended for him. Then everything we do on earth can be a service to you. Protect us through your great goodness and faithfulness, which have been with us to this day and will go with us into the future. Amen. Recent articles on Plough What Is the Narrow Gate? Eduard Thurneysen Jesus spoke of a narrow gate that few find, but what is that way? Read now Jakob Hutter, Radical Reformer Emmy Barth Maendel and Susannah Black Roberts In just three short years, the sixteenth-century martyr founded a church that has endured to this day. Read now Lessons in Crying Wendy Kiyomi Often I just can’t stop crying in public. Science and the Bible suggest that may be OK. Read now What Are Prophets For Abraham Joshua Heschel God is raging in the prophets’ words. Read now An Exodus From China Pan Yongguang A persecuted house church chooses to flee together as a community. Read now
Daily Prayer for October 5
He says: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” Isaiah 49:6, NIV Mighty God, we thank you for sending your light into all the world to reveal that you are the Father of all, to show us that you are leading them to yourself, the good and the bad, those who are near to you and those who are far away. We thank you that through all this your name may be acknowledged and honored. We thank you that we may live from your hand and that everyone may see your work on earth and be filled with praise. May the light which you have sent to earth in Jesus Christ shine brightly for us and penetrate our hearts so that we open ourselves to it with joy, and worship the Savior. Bless us and give us your Spirit; without your Spirit we can do nothing. May we receive help from you every day. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Jakob Hutter, Radical Reformer Emmy Barth Maendel and Susannah Black Roberts In just three short years, the sixteenth-century martyr founded a church that has endured to this day. Read now Lessons in Crying Wendy Kiyomi Often I just can’t stop crying in public. Science and the Bible suggest that may be OK. Read now What Are Prophets For Abraham Joshua Heschel God is raging in the prophets’ words. Read now An Exodus From China Pan Yongguang A persecuted house church chooses to flee together as a community. Read now Jane Eyre Holds Her Own Karen Swallow Prior Charlotte Bronte’s character still has much to teach us about free will. Read now
Daily Prayer for October 4
He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”). At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly. Mark 7:34–35, NIV Father in heaven, we people on earth are poor and needy. We are deaf and dumb, but you rouse us every day and call to us, “Ephphatha.” We thank you for this, in gladness for all you do for our sake. Help us to become united in expectation for the great day when our Lord Jesus Christ will come, when before all people he will be proved your Son, the Savior in whom you, the Almighty, come to meet us. Through him you say again, “Let there be light! Let there be life! Let life break free from the darkness of death so that Jesus may come as the Savior of all, the Savior even of those who are still in deepest darkness.” Praise to your name, O Father in heaven. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Lessons in Crying Wendy Kiyomi Often I just can’t stop crying in public. Science and the Bible suggest that may be OK. Read now What Are Prophets For Abraham Joshua Heschel God is raging in the prophets’ words. Read now An Exodus From China Pan Yongguang A persecuted house church chooses to flee together as a community. Read now Jane Eyre Holds Her Own Karen Swallow Prior Charlotte Bronte’s character still has much to teach us about free will. Read now The Autonomy Trap James R. Wood Is commitment just for suckers? A conversion story. Read now