Daily Prayer for August 24
And, with all these, take up the great shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Ephesians 6:16, NEB Lord our God, we long to come into your light, to live in your strength, that we may do what pleases you and furthers your kingdom on earth. Protect us from evil and do not let us be wounded by the flaming arrows of the evil one. Make paths for us whenever we do not know how to go forward. We always know you are our Father. Because you are our Father, we want to be courageous and persevere to the end so that you can make our lives bear fruit for you, to the glory of your name. Amen. Recent articles on Plough 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 In Praise of Physical Work Aston Fearon There’s joy to be found in work that requires muscle, sweat, and skill. Read now Book Tour: Redeeming Abolitionists and Huck Finn Phil Christman Reviewing The Rise and Fall of the Second American Republic, The United States Governed by Six Hundred Thousand Despots, and Percival Everett’s James. Read now
Daily Prayer for August 22
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?…Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42: 1–2, 5, NIV Lord our God, as the deer pants for refreshing water, so our souls long for you, O God. Our souls thirst for you, for the living God. We stand in your presence and pour out our hearts to you. We bring before you everything that is painful to us, all our suffering and needs. We also bring you all our hopes and the many proofs you have given us that our lives need not go to ruin but can be directed to greater things. May the light of your Spirit shine on us today and always. Amen. Recent articles on Plough 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 In Praise of Physical Work Aston Fearon There’s joy to be found in work that requires muscle, sweat, and skill. Read now Book Tour: Redeeming Abolitionists and Huck Finn Phil Christman Reviewing The Rise and Fall of the Second American Republic, The United States Governed by Six Hundred Thousand Despots, and Percival Everett’s James. Read now In Defense of Democratic Capitalism Larry A. Smith A reader critiques Plough’s Summer 2023 issue on money. Read now On Inner Detachment Meister Eckhart We deafen God day and night with our words, “Lord, thy will be done.” But then when God’s will does happen, we are furious and don’t like it a bit. Read now
Daily Prayer for August 20
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1, NIV Lord our God, grant that we may be your children who receive the Spirit and all they need from you. You strengthen us not only physically but also inwardly, in our hearts, enabling us to face the uncertainties of earthly life and whatever still needs changing in human society. Keep us from giving in to weakness. May your power be always with us. May we have patience and hope, because you are working for the good and we may wait for it in expectation. Amen. Recent articles on Plough In Praise of Physical Work Aston Fearon There’s joy to be found in work that requires muscle, sweat, and skill. Read now Book Tour: Redeeming Abolitionists and Huck Finn Phil Christman Reviewing The Rise and Fall of the Second American Republic, The United States Governed by Six Hundred Thousand Despots, and Percival Everett’s James. Read now In Defense of Democratic Capitalism Larry A. Smith A reader critiques Plough’s Summer 2023 issue on money. Read now On Inner Detachment Meister Eckhart We deafen God day and night with our words, “Lord, thy will be done.” But then when God’s will does happen, we are furious and don’t like it a bit. Read now Poem “Fingered Forgiveness” Laura R. Eckman The poet tells a story of forgiveness. Read now
Daily Prayer for August 19
Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:25–26, NIV Dear God and our Father, if only we have you, we desire nothing more in heaven or on earth. Body and soul may fail, but you, O God, are the strength and comfort of our hearts and you are ours forever. May we live in your Spirit and may your light shine over us. Touch our hearts and help us understand the greatness of what you call us to. Help us and free us again and again so that we are not bound by fear, even when we must pass through intense suffering. For your hand shall be with us and shall rescue us. Your hand shall bring about good for us and for all the people around us. Our hearts go out to them and we plead for them too, “Lord, send your Savior to all.” Amen. Recent articles on Plough Book Tour: Redeeming Abolitionists and Huck Finn Phil Christman Reviewing The Rise and Fall of the Second American Republic, The United States Governed by Six Hundred Thousand Despots, and Percival Everett’s James. Read now In Defense of Democratic Capitalism Larry A. Smith A reader critiques Plough’s Summer 2023 issue on money. Read now On Inner Detachment Meister Eckhart We deafen God day and night with our words, “Lord, thy will be done.” But then when God’s will does happen, we are furious and don’t like it a bit. Read now Poem “Fingered Forgiveness” Laura R. Eckman The poet tells a story of forgiveness. Read now When Older Is Better Jonathan Coppage There’s a reason vinyl records and photographic film are making a comeback. Read now
Daily Prayer for August 18
Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Psalm 73:23–24, NIV Thank you, great God and Father, for filling our hearts with trust so that we are of good hope, also for those who have not yet found trust. Thank you for giving us courage to face all the questions that arise in human life and for accepting us again and again when we come to you. You know what lies before us. You know the mountains that have to be moved. You know all the things that frustrate us and try to wear us out, and you will take them away. At last your light will shine into all the darkness. This certainty fills us with gladness and thanksgiving. In this faith we are determined to remain steadfast and to press on to victory. Amen. Recent articles on Plough In Defense of Democratic Capitalism A reader critiques Plough’s Summer 2023 issue on money. Read now On Inner Detachment Meister Eckhart We deafen God day and night with our words, “Lord, thy will be done.” But then when God’s will does happen, we are furious and don’t like it a bit. Read now Poem “Fingered Forgiveness” Laura R. Eckman The poet tells a story of forgiveness. Read now When Older Is Better Jonathan Coppage There’s a reason vinyl records and photographic film are making a comeback. Read now Better than Success Johann Christoph Arnold Success in parenting is helping your child find a purpose in life. Read now
Daily Prayer for August 17
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27, NIV Dear Father in heaven, we thank you for holding open the way into our hearts and for bringing us the peace of Jesus Christ. Help us to keep this way open. Grant us peace in this tempest-torn world. Grant us peace when many struggles and uncertainties try to occupy our hearts. We have no strength in ourselves, only in him who is standing at our side and who will never forsake us, who lives and gives strength. His light will always break in anew among us. His light will shine on many people and lead them to the promised day, the day that will bring all our hopes to fulfillment. Amen. Recent articles on Plough On Inner Detachment Meister Eckhart We deafen God day and night with our words, “Lord, thy will be done.” But then when God’s will does happen, we are furious and don’t like it a bit. Read now Poem “Fingered Forgiveness” Laura R. Eckman The poet tells a story of forgiveness. Read now When Older Is Better Jonathan Coppage There’s a reason vinyl records and photographic film are making a comeback. Read now Better than Success Johann Christoph Arnold Success in parenting is helping your child find a purpose in life. Read now The Essence of Everything Daniel Stewart A distiller muses on alchemy, monasticism, and the Philosopher’s Stone. Read now
Daily Prayer for August 16
Believe God, and he will recover thee: and direct thy way, and trust in him. Keep his fear, and grow old therein. Ye that fear the Lord, wait for his mercy: and go not aside from him, lest ye fall. Ye that fear the Lord, believe him: and your reward shall not be made void. Sirach 2:6-8 Douay-Rheims Dear Father in heaven, we come before you to receive what we need as your children who cannot find help and guidance on our own, but only through your Spirit. Enlighten us by your Word, which you alone can give. You will give us your Word so that we can know with absolute certainty and clarity how to serve you. Your Word will show us the truth that is to be revealed on earth in Jesus Christ. Shelter us in your hands. Strengthen us especially during suffering, and free us from fear and trembling. Fill our hearts with patience and joy. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Poem “Fingered Forgiveness” Laura R. Eckman The poet tells a story of forgiveness. Read now When Older Is Better Jonathan Coppage There’s a reason vinyl records and photographic film are making a comeback. Read now Better than Success Johann Christoph Arnold Success in parenting is helping your child find a purpose in life. Read now The Essence of Everything Daniel Stewart A distiller muses on alchemy, monasticism, and the Philosopher’s Stone. Read now Disability in The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store Sara Nović As a deaf reader, I was drawn toward the portrayals of disability in James McBride’s blockbuster novel, though, as in life, the results are an uneven weave. Read now
Daily Prayer for August 15
We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people – the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you. Colossians 1:3–5, NIV Lord our God, we praise your name because we are allowed to bear witness to what we see and hear, to all the good you have given us. May we become firmly and faithfully united, awaiting the glorious day when your almighty hand will be victorious and will bring an end to the many evils among us. On that day you will be praised throughout all nations and everything will be clothed anew, to the glory of your great name. Amen. Recent articles on Plough When Older Is Better Jonathan Coppage There’s a reason vinyl records and photographic film are making a comeback. Read now Better than Success Johann Christoph Arnold Success in parenting is helping your child find a purpose in life. Read now The Essence of Everything Daniel Stewart A distiller muses on alchemy, monasticism, and the Philosopher’s Stone. Read now Disability in The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store Sara Nović As a deaf reader, I was drawn toward the portrayals of disability in James McBride’s blockbuster novel, though, as in life, the results are an uneven weave. Read now Sit There and Shut Up Zac Koons What is the best way to support someone who is suffering? Read now
Daily Prayer for August 14
If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea. Isaiah 48:18, NIV Lord our God, grant that we may heed your commandments, that our peace may be like a river and our righteousness like the waves of the sea. Be with us through your Spirit, we pray. Speak with us and tell us what we need to hear so that we can understand what draws us always nearer to you. Show the might of your hand to help us and all people. Even under judgment we shall not despair, we shall not lose courage because of troubles and distress. Come with your strength, that we may grow strong to overcome the world through Jesus Christ the Savior. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Better than Success Johann Christoph Arnold Success in parenting is helping your child find a purpose in life. Read now The Essence of Everything Daniel Stewart A distiller muses on alchemy, monasticism, and the Philosopher’s Stone. Read now Disability in The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store Sara Nović As a deaf reader, I was drawn toward the portrayals of disability in James McBride’s blockbuster novel, though, as in life, the results are an uneven weave. Read now Sit There and Shut Up Zac Koons What is the best way to support someone who is suffering? Read now Resolutions Are Not Enough Élisabeth Leseur Two journal entries from Élisabeth Leseur encourage Christians to action. Read now
Daily Prayer for August 13
Those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. “I, even I, am he who comforts you.” Isaiah 51:11–12a, NIV Lord our God, we thank you for the trust you have put into our hearts. We thank you for all the signs of your goodness that comfort us when we are in great need and when many deaths take place around us and touch each of us. We thank you for comforting us, for always giving us fresh courage wherever we may be, and for giving us hope for other people, who also struggle hard to find what is good. O Lord God, bless our world with power from on high, with your gifts that bring good to many people. Bless our world. Save it from sin, from ruin, from every kind of despair. Give your blessing, O Lord our God! As you bless us, so bless all the world, to the glory of your name. Amen. Recent articles on Plough The Essence of Everything Daniel Stewart A distiller muses on alchemy, monasticism, and the Philosopher’s Stone. Read now Disability in The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store Sara Nović As a deaf reader, I was drawn toward the portrayals of disability in James McBride’s blockbuster novel, though, as in life, the results are an uneven weave. Read now Sit There and Shut Up Zac Koons What is the best way to support someone who is suffering? Read now Resolutions Are Not Enough Élisabeth Leseur Two journal entries from Élisabeth Leseur encourage Christians to action. Read now Okello’s Story Simeon Wiehler An orphan’s act of courage saved my life. Read now