Daily Prayer for September 5

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7–8, NIV We thank you, Father in heaven, that you concern yourself with us and that you bind us to yourself through all your deeds and all your help. We thank you for showing us a way of hope, a way that becomes always clearer, always firmer under our feet. On this way we can defy every evil of this world and time, knowing for sure that everything will come out right and we will all be brought to the great, eternal goal, even though we have to deny ourselves and go through much suffering. Your kingdom must come to the glory of your name, so that all people may live on a higher plane and follow you, the only true help and true life. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough 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 The Joy of Watching Football Annie J. E. Reed Does watching sports together fulfill a deep and significant longing? Or is it just plain fun? Read now

Daily Prayer for September 4

He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:5–7, NIV Lord our God, let your light shine in our hearts, the light that can gladden us and lead us until all our longing is stilled. May the higher nature born in us become ever stronger so that the lower and perishable nature does not rule over us. Grant that we may overcome and that our hearts may rejoice in being allowed to strive for the highest good because we are your children who can share in what is eternal. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough 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 The Joy of Watching Football Annie J. E. Reed Does watching sports together fulfill a deep and significant longing? Or is it just plain fun? Read now Jesus Is Coming – Plant a Tree! N. T. Wright In the new creation, the ancient human mandate to look after the garden is dramatically reaffirmed. Read now

Daily Prayer for September 3

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16–18, NIV Lord our God, we thank you that you come to help us with your power and might. We thank you that you come to us in our suffering and strengthen us in all we must endure on earth. You help us so that what is good and full of light comes more and more to us and to all people. We thank you and pray that your power, coming from the invisible world into the visible, may continue its quiet working in us until the day when everyone can see Jesus Christ, who is the same yesterday, today, and into all eternity. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough 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 The Joy of Watching Football Annie J. E. Reed Does watching sports together fulfill a deep and significant longing? Or is it just plain fun? Read now Jesus Is Coming – Plant a Tree! N. T. Wright In the new creation, the ancient human mandate to look after the garden is dramatically reaffirmed. Read now God’s Grandeur: A Poetry Comic Gerard Manley Hopkins and Julian Peters A comic artist illustrates Gerard Manly Hopkin’s classic poem. Read now

Daily Prayer for September 2

Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger…through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. 2 Corinthians 6:4–5, 8b–10, NIV Dear Father in heaven, you are always near to us on earth, and we thank you for all the love you put into our lives so that we can be joyful, even in all kinds of temptations and struggles. How much you have given us and how often you have rescued us from distress! Again and again you have let the light of life shine out. You give us light not only for the moment but also for the future, enabling us to draw strength and assurance from the present, the past, and the future, to the glory of your name. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough 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 The Joy of Watching Football Annie J. E. Reed Does watching sports together fulfill a deep and significant longing? Or is it just plain fun? Read now Jesus Is Coming – Plant a Tree! N. T. Wright In the new creation, the ancient human mandate to look after the garden is dramatically reaffirmed. Read now God’s Grandeur: A Poetry Comic Gerard Manley Hopkins and Julian Peters A comic artist illustrates Gerard Manly Hopkin’s classic poem. Read now Farming in Chicago Nathan Beacom Like many cities, Chicago lost its connection to local food cultivation. But the tide is already turning. Read now

Daily Prayer for September 1

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV Dear Father in heaven, open our hearts to see what is good in our lives. May the light in our hearts shine clearly so that we see, recognize, and live in accordance with what comes from eternity and belongs to our true nature, brought to us through Christ. Keep us from being blinded and deafened by experiences that will pass by. Help us to rise above them even in suffering and to wait patiently for what is becoming new and perfect. Praise to your name that we too can say, “The old has passed away; see, everything has become new!” Amen.   Recent articles on Plough Jesus Is Coming – Plant a Tree! N. T. Wright In the new creation, the ancient human mandate to look after the garden is dramatically reaffirmed. Read now God’s Grandeur: A Poetry Comic Gerard Manley Hopkins and Julian Peters A comic artist illustrates Gerard Manly Hopkin’s classic poem. Read now Farming in Chicago Nathan Beacom Like many cities, Chicago lost its connection to local food cultivation. But the tide is already turning. Read now The Terrible Truth Melissa Ohden The survivor of a botched abortion searches for her mother. Read now Enjoy the Moment Daniel Whyte IV What are we missing when we try to record every experience digitally? Read now

Daily Prayer for August 30

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10:27–28, NIV Dear Father in heaven, we thank you for moving our hearts so that we may know we are your children. Even in the midst of turmoil and evil, fear and pain, you bring us happiness; we can know that you are holding us with your right hand and will finally deliver us from all evil. Let your Spirit be at work everywhere. Give us patience when time is needed in our own hearts and in the hearts of all people, who also belong to you. Continue to strengthen us so that even the heaviest burden does not crush us and we may exult in hope because you right every wrong, to the glory of your name. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough Farming in Chicago Nathan Beacom Like many cities, Chicago lost its connection to local food cultivation. But the tide is already turning. Read now The Terrible Truth Melissa Ohden The survivor of a botched abortion searches for her mother. Read now Enjoy the Moment Daniel Whyte IV What are we missing when we try to record every experience digitally? Read now Past Peasant Future Gus Mitchell What might our peasant ancestors teach us about living closer to the earth? Read now The Family Is Not a Church M. Çiftçi Comparing the family with the church has watered down the church’s political nature. Read now

Daily Prayer for August 29

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith…Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so. Hebrews 13:7, 9, NIV Lord our God, dear Father in heaven, we thank you for all you do in our lives, for you stretch out your hand to us on earth through our Savior Jesus Christ. We entrust ourselves to you, knowing that everything depends on your rule over our lives. It is your rule that enables us to go forward in your strength and in your light, always finding new joy in spite of struggles and temptations. May your mighty hand be with those who call to you, no matter how they may do it. You see into their hearts. You know those who are sincere, and you will send your Savior to bring them out of all evil and darkness. Be with us today and every day. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough The Terrible Truth Melissa Ohden The survivor of a botched abortion searches for her mother. Read now Enjoy the Moment Daniel Whyte IV What are we missing when we try to record every experience digitally? Read now Past Peasant Future Gus Mitchell What might our peasant ancestors teach us about living closer to the earth? Read now The Family Is Not a Church M. Çiftçi Comparing the family with the church has watered down the church’s political nature. Read now On Eternal Health Teresa de Cartagena A deaf fifteenth-century nun searches for the meaning of suffering and infirmity. Read now

Daily Prayer for August 27

Hear my voice when I call, O Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek. Do not hide your face from me. Psalm 27:7–9a, NIV We thank you, dear Father in heaven, that you let the light from your face shine into our hearts. Look upon our time, we pray, with your clear, penetrating eyes, and let all people sense that they are watched over by more than they are able to see. Let them realize that a strong God and Father is watching over them. Protect us on our way, and let your light shine ever more brightly, so that in all we do your name is glorified. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough Enjoy the Moment Daniel Whyte IV What are we missing when we try to record every experience digitally? Read now Past Peasant Future Gus Mitchell What might our peasant ancestors teach us about living closer to the earth? Read now The Family Is Not a Church M. Çiftçi Comparing the family with the church has watered down the church’s political nature. Read now On Eternal Health Teresa de Cartagena A deaf fifteenth-century nun searches for the meaning of suffering and infirmity. Read now A Book of Marvels Arthur Aghajanian We might not be so different from medieval artists who drew exotic creatures, places, and people they’d never seen. Read now

Daily Prayer for August 26

Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:4–5, NIV Lord our God, be our Father and care for your children here on earth, where it is often bitterly hard and where everything seems to turn against us. Keep us faithful in our inner life, drawing all our strength from you, the eternal power of life, and from Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. For Jesus has promised to come to us, and you will send him in our time of need. Let your strong hand be with those who often do not know where to turn. Show us paths we can follow, to the glory of your name in all eternity. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough Past Peasant Future Gus Mitchell What might our peasant ancestors teach us about living closer to the earth? Read now The Family Is Not a Church M. Çiftçi Comparing the family with the church has watered down the church’s political nature. Read now On Eternal Health Teresa de Cartagena A deaf fifteenth-century nun searches for the meaning of suffering and infirmity. Read now A Book of Marvels Arthur Aghajanian We might not be so different from medieval artists who drew exotic creatures, places, and people they’d never seen. Read now So, a Chatbot Did Your Homework Jacob Riyeff If education is nothing but an information-processing exercise to get a degree, why not? Read now

Daily Prayer for August 25

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2, NIV Grant us your Spirit, Lord our God, that we may discern your good, acceptable, and perfect will. Give us joy in fighting on your side, so that what is good, acceptable, and perfect may be given to the world. Wherever we are and whatever work we do, give us zeal to serve you and be guided by you so that your will may be done and your kingdom come, so that already today we may find happiness even though only in hope. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough The Family Is Not a Church Mehmet Çiftçi Comparing the family with the church has watered down the church’s political nature. Read now On Eternal Health Teresa de Cartagena A deaf fifteenth-century nun searches for the meaning of suffering and infirmity. Read now A Book of Marvels Arthur Aghajanian We might not be so different from medieval artists who drew exotic creatures, places, and people they’d never seen. Read now So, a Chatbot Did Your Homework Jacob Riyeff If education is nothing but an information-processing exercise to get a degree, why not? Read now William Tyndale Charles E. Moore and Timothy J. Keiderling Meet the man who translated the Bible into common English and died a martyr’s death. Read now