Daily Prayer for November 27

Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. Psalm 25:8–9, NIV Lord our God, dear Father in heaven, we thank you that we may be your children, led by you. We thank you for guiding us in times of grief and never forsaking us. Now, as of old, you are with us, Lord our God, and you show us the way in every situation. Protect us in this present time, and grant us strength to go on patiently even when our lives hold much suffering and distress. We thank you for your guidance and rejoice in your help for our time. Reveal your hand in power, for soon, very soon, your right hand will change everything. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough Grand Canyon Classroom Betsy K. Brown A hiking club is a natural extension of a classical education. Read now What Religion Is Black Friday? Anthony Lusvardi, SJ Plastic Christmas trees in Singapore got me thinking about the globalization of our worst holiday customs. Read now On Motherhood and Climate Change Elizabeth Wainwright Without glorifying community or motherhood, Elizabeth Rush’s The Quickening brings these things into the conversation on climate change. Read now Teaching the One Percent Dhananjay Jagannathan A Columbia professor defends the spiritual worth of liberal education. Read now The Critical Moment of the Day John Burroughs A naturalist witnesses the birth of a new day in the Catskills. Read now

Daily Prayer for November 26

Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you! As when fire sets twigs ablaze and causes water to boil, come down to make your name known to your enemies and cause the nations to quake before you! Isaiah 64:1–2, NIV Lord our God, in our times too you hear the prayers and cries of your children. We need to cry out, for humankind has not become your own but still lives in pain and under judgment, and many thousands have to die or undergo terrible things. They should be yours, every one of them. They should all be your children. So we cry out to you: Reveal and glorify your name on earth so that a new time may come and great wonders may be done by your hand. May your name be honored, your kingdom come, and your will be done on earth as in heaven. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough What Religion Is Black Friday? Anthony Lusvardi, SJ Plastic Christmas trees in Singapore got me thinking about the globalization of our worst holiday customs. Read now On Motherhood and Climate Change Elizabeth Wainwright Without glorifying community or motherhood, Elizabeth Rush’s The Quickening brings these things into the conversation on climate change. Read now Teaching the One Percent Dhananjay Jagannathan A Columbia professor defends the spiritual worth of liberal education. Read now The Critical Moment of the Day John Burroughs A naturalist witnesses the birth of a new day in the Catskills. Read now The Sacred Sounds of Hildegard of Bingen Susannah Black Roberts In music, art, medicine, and spiritual writings, Hildegard of Bingen sought to express “the sacred sound through which all creation resounds.” Read now

Daily Prayer for November 25

The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice… The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all peoples see his glory. Psalm 97:1, 6, NIV Lord our God, we turn to you, for you are our help. Hear our prayer, we beseech you; let our cry rise to you so that you may send your mighty help in our generation. Continue to protect us from all evil, from death and destruction. Protect us because we are your children. As your children we turn to you, the almighty God, who can make everything work together for good. Be merciful to us, O Lord God. Help us for your name’s sake. Help, Lord, for you alone can bring everything to a good end. So we stand before you in Jesus Christ, holding to every word you have given us and knowing for certain that you hear us. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough Teaching the One Percent Dhananjay Jagannathan A Columbia professor attempts to teach virtue to future finance bros. Read now The Critical Moment of the Day John Burroughs A naturalist witnesses the birth of a new day in the Catskills. Read now The Sacred Sounds of Hildegard of Bingen Susannah Black Roberts In music, art, medicine, and spiritual writings, Hildegard of Bingen sought to express “the sacred sound through which all creation resounds.” Read now Help in the Land of Forgetfulness Wayne A. Ewing A husband caring for a loved one with dementia finds dark valleys, but also limitless spiritual resources. Read now The Perpetual Flame of Devotion Richard J. Foster How can we learn to pray in a way that pleases God? And what stands in the way? Read now

Daily Prayer for November 24

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them…For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:17, 20, NIV O Lord God, give us new hearts, teach us a new way on earth, so that through your commandments all people may act in accordance with your Word and may become one. Only you can do this, working through your promised Holy Spirit, and you will do it in order that the earth may become a paradise, a heavenly kingdom pleasing to you. Let your words be written in our hearts, and help us to fulfill your commandments in our daily life. Only by carrying out your commandments may we foolish, sinful people be made perfect, our sins be forgiven, and everything become right and good in your sight. Stay with us, Lord God, our Father. Help us in everything. Let something new, something pleasing to you, soon come into our time. Put your commandments into our hearts, that peace may be restored to the glory of your name. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough The Critical Moment of the Day John Burroughs A naturalist witnesses the birth of a new day in the Catskills. Read now The Sacred Sounds of Hildegard of Bingen Susannah Black Roberts In music, art, medicine, and spiritual writings, Hildegard of Bingen sought to express “the sacred sound through which all creation resounds.” Read now Help in the Land of Forgetfulness Wayne A. Ewing A husband caring for a loved one with dementia finds dark valleys, but also limitless spiritual resources. Read now The Perpetual Flame of Devotion Richard J. Foster How can we learn to pray in a way that pleases God? And what stands in the way? Read now Even in the Ironbound Stephen G. Adubato A child of suburbia seeks thicker community in New York City’s enclaves and in a particular Newark, New Jersey, neighborhood that defies stereotypes. Read now

Daily Prayer for November 23

I am the good shepherd, who is willing to die for the sheep. When the hired man, who is not a shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees a wolf coming, he leaves the sheep and runs away; so the wolf snatches the sheep and scatters them. John 10:11–12, TEV Lord our God, we thank you for ruling us with your shepherd’s staff so that again and again we can be refreshed and can delight in what you are doing for us. We thank you that we can have eager, joyful faith even when sorrows come, looking again and again to the good you give us. We are thankful and want to be thankful always. Be a mighty Lord over the peoples, we pray, and protect our country. Show your sovereignty by guarding the flock close beside you and by pouring out your grace to give life to the dying and resurrection to those who have died. O Lord God, hear and bless us. May your will be done on earth as in heaven, so that your kingdom may break in and everything may come right, according to your great purpose. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough The Sacred Sounds of Hildegard of Bingen Susannah Black Roberts In music, art, medicine, and spiritual writings, Hildegard of Bingen sought to express “the sacred sound through which all creation resounds.” Read now Help in the Land of Forgetfulness Wayne A. Ewing A husband caring for a loved one with dementia finds dark valleys, but also limitless spiritual resources. Read now The Perpetual Flame of Devotion Richard J. Foster How can we learn to pray in a way that pleases God? And what stands in the way? Read now Even in the Ironbound Stephen G. Adubato A child of suburbia seeks thicker community in New York City’s enclaves and in a particular Newark, New Jersey, neighborhood that defies stereotypes. Read now I Cheerfully Refuse Despair Joy Marie Clarkson In Leif Enger’s novel I Cheerfully Refuse, one man fights against despair (and wrongdoers) in a post-apocalyptic world. Read now

Daily Prayer for November 21

Accept salvation as a helmet, and the word of God as the sword which the Spirit gives you. Do all this in prayer, asking for God’s help. Pray on every occasion, as the Spirit leads. For this reason keep alert and never give up; pray always for all God’s people. Ephesians 6:17–18, TEV Lord God, whose might is over all the world, over heaven and over earth, we want to find strength in you, for you have given us thousands of proofs that you are with us, helping in all that happens. And when we meet with difficulties, we want all the more to find strength in you, we want all the more to hope in you and await your victory. Let your light shine into everything, in life and in death. For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough The Perpetual Flame of Devotion Richard J. Foster How can we learn to pray in a way that pleases God? And what stands in the way? Read now Even in the Ironbound Stephen G. Adubato A child of suburbia seeks thicker community in New York City’s enclaves and in a particular Newark, New Jersey, neighborhood that defies stereotypes. Read now I Cheerfully Refuse Despair Joy Marie Clarkson In Lief Enger’s novel I Cheerfully Refuse, one man fights against despair (and wrongdoers) in a post-apocalyptic world. Read now Learning the Violin Maria Baer A mother decides to take up an instrument alongside her young daughters. Read now We Are What We Pray Carlo Carretto A hermit in the Sahara Desert tells us what he’s learned about prayer and contemplation. Read now

Daily Prayer for November 20

Lord, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in time of distress, to you the nations will come from the ends of the earth and say, “Our ancestors possessed nothing but false gods, worthless idols that did them no good.” Jeremiah 16:19, NIV Lord our God, we come to you burdened and driven by every kind of need and oppression, but you will bring light into every situation; in your great goodness and faithfulness you will continue to help. We come to you because you are our help. We want to draw strength from your Word so that we can remain steadfast in these times, awaiting your help and already finding joy and certainty in our expectation. For your kingdom is coming, and your will is being done on earth as in heaven. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough Even in the Ironbound Stephen G. Adubato A child of suburbia seeks thicker community in New York City’s enclaves and in a particular Newark, New Jersey, neighborhood that defies stereotypes. Read now I Cheerfully Refuse Despair Joy Marie Clarkson In Lief Enger’s novel I Cheerfully Refuse, one man fights against despair (and wrongdoers) in a post-apocalyptic world. Read now Learning the Violin Maria Baer A mother decides to take up an instrument alongside her young daughters. Read now We Are What We Pray Carlo Carretto A hermit in the Sahara Desert tells us what he’s learned about prayer and contemplation. Read now Poem: “And Is It Not Enough?” Malcolm Guite The poet relishes the beauty of autumn, but sees the stripping away that comes with it. Read now

Daily Prayer for November 18

Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Zechariah 9:9, NIV Lord our God, we stand before you and rejoice that you want to be our Helper, our Father. We live in a dark and evil time when whole nations groan and lament. Our need rises to you in heaven, and we cry out, “Help us, Lord our God!” Help that your will may be done in all things and that your kingdom may come. Our task is to pray to you at all times, calling, “Come, O Lord God, in Jesus Christ, the Lord and Savior of all the world!” For in east and west, in south and north, among all nations, Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior. Praise to your name that you have given us this Lord. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough Learning the Violin Maria Baer A mother decides to take up an instrument alongside her young daughters. Read now We Are What We Pray Carlo Carretto A hermit in the Sahara Desert tells us what he’s learned about prayer and contemplation. Read now Poem: “And Is It Not Enough?” Malcolm Guite The poet relishes the beauty of autumn, but sees the stripping away that comes with it. Read now The Fire after the Flood Chelsea Boes After Hurricane Helene, neighbors we hardly knew all showed up for a campfire. Read now Christ’s New Command André Trocmé Followers of Jesus are so busy helping their neighbors that it would be unthinkable for them to interrupt this activity to go kill people. Read now

Daily Prayer for November 16

To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see. Hebrews 11:1, TEV Lord our God, we come to you in community of faith and trust, in expectation that you will act. May our hearts be strengthened in all the pain and in all the conflicts of our world. Reveal your will, Almighty God, and protect those you have appointed as our leaders and rulers. Let your will be made plain to them. O Lord God, help your people in these times and give them strength to wait expectantly for what is good, to live and serve in this expectation. Grant your help to all who strive for this. We can all tell of the help that comes from you, for you always support us with your power, also in hard times. Amen.   Recent articles on Plough We Are What We Pray Carlo Carretto A hermit in the Sahara Desert tells us what he’s learned about prayer and contemplation. Read now Poem: “And Is It Not Enough?” Malcolm Guite The poet relishes the beauty of autumn, but sees the stripping away that comes with it. Read now The Fire after the Flood Chelsea Boes After Hurricane Helene, neighbors we hardly knew all showed up for a campfire. Read now Christ’s New Command André Trocmé Followers of Jesus are so busy helping their neighbors that it would be unthinkable for them to interrupt this activity to go kill people. Read now Left Behind in Grimsby Simon Cross As one who could move on, and did, I’m left wondering if my years in a blighted British coastal town made any difference to those I left behind. Read now

real HIStory

He wants me to be a reporter, telling and retelling the stories of God’s encounters with His people. MO is at Black Rifle Coffee, Beyond Black is in the cup, noise pretending to be music is on the playlist, and God is in the room provoking: Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me (Psalm 71:18 NLT).   These words in Psalm 71 suggest that he wants me to be a reporter, telling and retelling the stories of God’s encounters with His people. At least, that’s the way I take it. Then the psalmist prays, to God: You have allowed me to suffer much hardship, but you will restore me to life again and lift me up from the depths of the earth. You will restore me to even greater honor and comfort me once again (Psalm 71:20-21). Ummmmm. That old man and the one telling this story know when God is about to show up because he’s been there. He has gone through the fire and knows how God works in crisis to bring a blessing. That’s a story worth telling, so I go to the coffee shop each day and listen to the stories God is still telling through others. God is at work on that today. You see, my God is not buried in the pages of a book, is yours? If your God still shows up, it’s time to speak up — not in religious words or spiritualized “holy” talk, but in real stories of real moments, real stories of suffering and pain. So, tell what He’s doing in your life! Tell about the blessings, the kindnesses, the surprises, the interventions, the rescues, the healings, the miracles, and the unexplainable moments. Speak of your personal discoveries and insights and understandings — the revelations, transformations, liberations, nudges, pushes, and the whacks up the side of the head. Tell about second touches, the out-of-the-blue connections, and all those interruptions, invitations, and instigations. For a moment, forget the sufferings… the fire and crucibles. Take extra time to tell about His fingerprints in your world and beyond. His stories are always Good News. So, may your testimony — your story — be a witness for the next generation. Yes, Abba is still gathering reporters. And their reporting makes Him smile. As far as I know, this was Ron’s last complete post on Facebook. He passed from this life in the middle of a new post, his heart full of a new story, but his spirit going to be with Jesus. I hope you paid extra-close attention to this post and heard it as his triumphant testimony. Ron’s story is now absorbed into Jesus’ story, the real HIStory we all want to share! As the oldest child in my family, Ron became my big brother when he came to live with us after a horrible wreck in college. (From an old photo of Al and Margaret Ware, with Ron Rose, and Phil, Byron, and Gordon Wareas stair steps from about 1966.) I will miss him. However every cup of coffee, which I drink strong and black, will remind me of his smile, his laugh, and his life. MO is with Jesus, and they share outlandish stories of grace. I will join him with Jesus one day because Ron chose to be a witness to the next generation! Will we? — Phil Ware   About the author: Ron Rose has been a unique minister and friend, but he is also a noted author and leader of several ministries. Ron now makes himself available as a listener and friend as he spends time with people on the go and in coffee shops and shares grace and a listening ear connecting them with God who is always in the room!