Daily Prayer for September 18

The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass. I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. Revelation 21:21–23, NIV Lord our God, we thank you that you have given us your glorious future as the basis for our lives. We thank you that on this foundation we can forget our present troubles and believe that the power of good can move us today to oppose sin, death, and everything evil. Free our hearts from all burdens, and grant that we may have courage to wait patiently for the great help which is to come. Grant that what is happening in the world today may somehow help toward the solution of all the problems. We praise your name, our Father in the heavens. We praise you for the good you do for us each day and for the light you will shed one day on everything on earth, to the glory of your name. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough The Workers and the Church Sohrab Ahmari What happened to the Christian tradition of supporting workers’ rights? Read now The Body She Had Rosemarie Garland-Thomson If only her parents had been spared the terrible freedom of having to choose whether to have a child with a disability. Read now Recovering from Heroin and Fiction Jordan Castro I sought freedom in drugs and novels. They couldn’t save me. Read now In Defiance of All Powers Peter Mommsen What’s the point of freedom? Which kinds of freedom might be worth dying for? Read now Heap Burning Coals on Your Enemy’s Head Saint John Chrysostom A Church Father takes a closer look at what this unlikely bit of biblical advice might mean, both for the heaper and the heaped. Read now

Daily Prayer for September 17

People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” Mark 7:37, NIV Lord our God, you fill heaven and earth with your Spirit and allow us to share in your gifts. We thank you for all you have given us, for all you are giving and will give. We are poor and needy; all people are poor and needy in spite of their striving, longing, and seeking. Only you, through your Spirit, can awaken something in us to help us go toward your goal. Keep us from being caught up in what men do. The greatest help for our hearts is what you do, and each of us can tell something about it. Each of us has received help beyond anything we had hoped or thought of. How much you have done for us! How much you are doing for the nations! Yes, we thank you for this present time. Although our lives often seem hopeless and full of sorrow, your powers are still living among men, working for their good and awaking them to new life. The time will surely come when our hearts will be released from their hunger and we can be filled with the life from above, which you give us in Jesus Christ. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough Recovering from Heroin and Fiction Jordan Castro I sought freedom in drugs and novels. They couldn’t save me. Read now In Defiance of All Powers Peter Mommsen What’s the point of freedom? Which kinds of freedom might be worth dying for? Read now Heap Burning Coals on Your Enemy’s Head Saint John Chrysostom A Church Father takes a closer look at what this unlikely bit of biblical advice might mean, both for the heaper and the heaped. Read now Covering the Cover: Freedom Rosalind Stevenson Birds, boats, broken chains . . . freedom brings to mind many visual metaphors. Read now The Open Road Christina Cannon I went on a roadtrip down Route 66 looking for freedom. Read now

Daily Prayer for September 16

When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father – the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father – he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning. John 15:26–27, NIV Great God and Savior, you want to lead us by the hand so that in communion with you we learn how to live a true life. We thank you for everything we have already received. Guide us still, we pray. Through your Spirit lead us in all areas of our life. Grant us the Spirit, who can illumine our hearts to help us find new courage and new strength and new recognition of the truth. All our praise belongs to you, for you alone can quicken us. You alone free us from the pain of death and from all burdens, so that in spite of toil and struggle we may always be lifted up to you, our God on high, to the glory of your name on earth. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough In Defiance of All Powers Peter Mommsen What’s the point of freedom? Read now Heap Burning Coals on Your Enemy’s Head Saint John Chrysostom A Church Father takes a closer look at what this unlikely bit of biblical advice might mean, both for the heaper and the heaped. Read now Covering the Cover: Freedom Rosalind Stevenson Birds, boats, broken chains . . . freedom brings to mind many visual metaphors. Read now The Open Road Christina Cannon I went on a roadtrip down Route 66 looking for freedom. Read now Children at Play Friedrich Froebel The inventor of kindergarten explains the importance of free play for a child’s development. Read now

Daily Prayer for September 14

This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” Jeremiah 31:33–34, NIV Lord our God, we hope in you. One thing never leaves our hearts, your promise that you will be our God, our God in Jesus Christ. This stands firm, and we want to hold to it in trust and confidence. For your Word remains sure, and all your works lead toward a great and wonderful time when you will be glorified, when our hearts can at last become free because we know you. We can become free from all our own works, free from all trembling and hesitation, free from all suffering and distress, because we know that you, O God, are our Father. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough Heap Burning Coals on Your Enemy’s Head Saint John Chrysostom A Church Father takes a closer look at what this unlikely bit of biblical advice might mean, both for the heaper and the heaped. Read now Covering the Cover: Freedom Rosalind Stevenson Birds, boats, broken chains . . . freedom brings to mind many visual metaphors. Read now The Open Road Christina Cannon I went on a roadtrip down Route 66 looking for freedom. Read now Children at Play Friedrich Froebel The inventor of kindergarten explains the importance of free play for a child’s development. Read now American Freedom and Christian Freedom Benjamin Crosby Freedom is central to American ideals and to the Christian faith, but there is danger in confusing the two. Read now

Daily Prayer for September 13

For it is by his grace you are saved, through trusting him; it is not your own doing. It is God’s gift, not a reward for work done. There is nothing for anyone to boast of. Ephesians 2:8–9, NEB Lord our God, we know that we are your children, and in this certainty we gather in your presence as a community. Grant us your Spirit, the Spirit who works in us and frees us from the many evils that still torment us. Be with us and let the power of your great grace and mercy be in our hearts so that we may gain the victory and lead joyful lives on earth in spite of our many shortcomings, blunders, and sins. For your grace is great, much greater than all our failings. You are our God and Father, and we want to keep our consciences clear today and always through your grace. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough The Open Road Christina Cannon I went on a roadtrip down Route 66 looking for freedom. Read now Children at Play Friedrich Froebel The inventor of kindergarten explains the importance of free play for a child’s development. Read now American Freedom and Christian Freedom Benjamin Crosby Freedom is central to American ideals and to the Christian faith, but there is danger in confusing the two. Read now In Praise of Excess Alan Koppschall In All Things Are Too Small, Becca Rothfeld makes the case for a more infinite view of the world and rejects the smallness and minimalism of the current age. Read now Bad Faith or Perfect Freedom King-Ho Leung Sartre and Augustine reflect on what it takes to be free. Read now

Daily Prayer for September 11

After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. Isaiah 53:11, NIV Lord our God, our Father in heaven, we thank you for letting our failures and sins come before you and for giving us One who steps in to help us just as we are, with the right help for the good and the evil things in our lives. We thank you that our whole age can be comforted, and even the terrors of our days can be turned to the good because everything has already come before your holy eyes. Salvation will come out of disaster, life out of death. Praise to your glorious and almighty name! Protect our faith in your Servant. May we always find strength and courage, even when we are in pain. The time is coming when your loving-kindness will be revealed among all nations on earth. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough Children at Play Friedrich Froebel The inventor of kindergarten explains the importance of free play for a child’s development. Read now American Freedom and Christian Freedom Benjamin Crosby Freedom is central to American ideals and to the Christian faith, but there is danger in confusing the two. Read now In Praise of Excess Alan Koppschall In All Things Are Too Small, Becca Rothfeld makes the case for a more infinite view of the world and rejects the smallness and minimalism of the current age. Read now Bad Faith or Perfect Freedom King-Ho Leung Sartre and Augustine reflect on what it takes to be free. Read now Speaking of Joy Ladislaus Boros Wherever we experience true joy, we also experience mystery. Read now

Daily Prayer for September 10

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105, NIV Lord our God, we stand before your presence. Look in mercy upon us poor, weak children, who do not know where to turn unless you help us with your mighty hand. We trust in you. You will help us, you will always be with us, and even in hard times you will accomplish your will for what is good. Bless us today as we gather to hear your Word. May your Word always be our strength and joy. Your Word gives victory in us and in the whole world so that your will may be done on earth as in heaven. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough American Freedom and Christian Freedom Benjamin Crosby Freedom is central to American ideals and to the Christian faith, but there is danger in confusing the two. Read now In Praise of Excess Alan Koppschall In All Things Are Too Small, Becca Rothfeld makes the case for a more infinite view of the world and rejects the smallness and minimalism of the current age. Read now Bad Faith or Perfect Freedom King-Ho Leung Sartre and Augustine reflect on what it takes to be free. Read now Speaking of Joy Ladislaus Boros Wherever we experience true joy, we also experience mystery. Read now Poem: “Let Them Grow” Robert W. Crawford The poet shares his hopes for his grandsons. Read now

Daily Prayer for September 9

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:10–11, NIV Lord God, we thank you that it is your will to strengthen us through your presence, through Jesus Christ, the leader of your cause, who is and remains victor among all on earth. Our souls need strength and our hearts need confidence so that in our time we can draw near to you and to your kingdom. Bless us with the Holy Spirit whenever we begin to grow weary. Your Holy Spirit can give us the strength to believe and hope, the strength to see the salvation that is coming to give joy to all the world. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough In Praise of Excess Alan Koppschall In All Things Are Too Small, Becca Rothfeld makes the case for a more infinite view of the world and rejects the smallness and minimalism of the current age. Read now Bad Faith or Perfect Freedom King-Ho Leung Sartre and Augustine reflect on what it takes to be free. Read now Speaking of Joy Ladislaus Boros Wherever we experience true joy, we also experience mystery. Read now Poem: “Let Them Grow” Robert W. Crawford The poet shares his hopes for his grandsons. Read now The Word within the World James Matthew Wilson Poetry, the oldest and most universal of arts, is increasingly underappreciated. These four poets hope to reverse that. Read now

Daily Prayer for September 8

Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion? Then I thought, “To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand. I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.” Psalm 77:9–12, NIV Lord God, our Father in heaven, we turn to you in these times when we are under so much stress and temptation. Let your light glow in our hearts to give us firmness, patience, and perseverance throughout the time of testing, no matter how long it lasts. Your hand can change everything. Your hand can shorten the time we must wait until your light shines out of the darkness of death and evil, until your light reveals your life to your children and to the whole world. You are our God and Father as you have promised, and remaining at your side, we look to you in faith and trust. You will bring about goodness, justice, and mercy as you have promised, and so fulfill your will. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough Speaking of Joy Ladislaus Boros Wherever we experience true joy, we also experience mystery. Read now Poem: “Let Them Grow” Robert W. Crawford The poet shares his hopes for his grandsons. Read now The Word within the World James Matthew Wilson Poetry, the oldest and most universal of arts, is increasingly underappreciated. These four poets hope to reverse that. Read now Arvo Pärt’s Journey Joonas Sildre In this excerpt from Between Two Sounds, we see the moment when the Estonian composer begins to run afoul of the Soviet regime. Read now How Do You Know a Christian? Cody Cook Here’s a quick test from the early church. Read now

Daily Prayer for September 7

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you. 1 Peter 1:3–4, NIV Lord our God, remind us again and again of what you have done in our hearts and lives to make us certain of the resurrection. Help us to live in this certainty and to hold fast to everything good and great which you bring into our lives. Grant us the assurance that we are gaining ground in the battle for the redemption of those who are still in darkness and in the shadow of death. May we find joy in what we have here and now. Give us patience in our struggles. Give us hope for all that has gone wrong, because even what is in darkness is still in your hands. In the end everything must be brought to the light so that all humankind may glorify your great name. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough Poem: “Let Them Grow” Robert W. Crawford The poet shares his hopes for his grandsons. Read now The Word within the World James Matthew Wilson Poetry, the oldest and most universal of arts, is increasingly underappreciated. These four poets hope to reverse that. Read now Arvo Pärt’s Journey Joonas Sildre In this excerpt from Between Two Sounds, we see the moment when the Estonian composer begins to run afoul of the Soviet regime. Read now How Do You Know a Christian? Cody Cook Here’s a quick test from the early church. Read now A Deft Poet of Grief Nick Ripatrazone A review of Stephen Sexton’s melancholy and gentle book of poems, If All the World and Love Were Young. Read now