Daily Prayer for March 12
But now, this is what the Lord says – he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” Isaiah 43:1-2, NIV Dear Father in heaven, we thank you for the gift of your light in our hearts, allowing us to have faith in you. We thank you for your light, which shows us the many ways you save us from need, darkness, and death. In the midst of this darkness you keep our hearts safe so that we can be faithful until your time comes, the time when you will reveal yourself to the world, and when all voices will cry out as one, “Yes, Father in heaven, we thank you. You have redeemed us all.” Amen. Recent articles on Plough The First Task of the Church Stanley Hauerwas The most creative political solutions Christians have to offer our troubled society are not new laws, advice to policymakers, or social programs. Read now The Flamingo Loophole Alice Pistolesi How a climbing gym in the war-scarred Balkans brought residents and migrants together. Read now Why Watch The Brutalist? Chris Zimmerman Brady Corbet’s Oscar-winning film may be long and bleak, but it won’t disappoint the intrepid viewer. Read now Can Hobbies Bridge Political Divides Aryana Petrosky Bonding over shared passions can help dissipate political divisions, but only if we don’t let our hobbies become politicized. Read now The Divine Rhythm of Work and Sabbath Alastair Roberts The Bible’s story of labor begins in Eden – and its ending is still to come. A journey from Genesis to the Apocalypse. Read now
Daily Prayer for March 11
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1–2, NIV Dear Father in heaven, grant that we may share in the community of your Holy Spirit. In community with you our earthly troubles fall away and we remain in your peace in spite of all our failures and shortcomings, in spite of all the toil we must gladly take upon ourselves. Watch over us. Keep our hearts unshaken, clear, and steady. Keep us in the certainty that your kingdom is coming, is already beginning and can be plainly seen, so that all people can receive the good you have planned for them. Be with us this night. Amen. Recent articles on Plough The Flamingo Loophole Alice Pistolesi How a climbing gym in the war-scarred Balkans brought residents and migrants together. Read now Why Watch The Brutalist? Chris Zimmerman Brady Corbet’s Oscar-winning film may be long and bleak, but it won’t disappoint the intrepid viewer. Read now Can Hobbies Bridge Political Divides Aryana Petrosky Bonding over shared passions can help dissipate political divisions, but only if we don’t let our hobbies become politicized. Read now The Divine Rhythm of Work and Sabbath Alastair Roberts The Bible’s story of labor begins in Eden – and its ending is still to come. A journey from Genesis to the Apocalypse. Read now Sailing with the Greeks Adam Nicolson Setting out to sea in a small sailboat, I taste the liquid freedom that Homer extolled. Read now
Daily Prayer for March 10
My word is like the snow and the rain that come down from the sky to water the earth. They make the crops grow and provide seed for planting and food to eat. So also will be the word that I speak – it will not fail to do what I plan for it; it will do everything I send it to do. Isaiah 55:10–11, TEV Lord our God, light of the world and light of our human life, we thank you for sending your Word into our hearts. Your Word works within us and allows us to rejoice. Even if we often experience hard and bitter times here on earth, we can rejoice already, as the world shall rejoice when your will and your Word are fulfilled. Protect us, and keep us pure and free in spirit, that we may be your servants, that we may sometimes be allowed to say a little word in harmony with the great, powerful Word which you have sent into the world. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Can Hobbies Bridge Political Divides Aryana Petrosky Bonding over shared passions can help dissipate political divisions, but only if we don’t let our hobbies become politicized. Read now The Divine Rhythm of Work and Sabbath Alastair Roberts The Bible’s story of labor begins in Eden – and its ending is still to come. A journey from Genesis to the Apocalypse. Read now Sailing with the Greeks Adam Nicolson Setting out to sea in a small sailboat, I taste the liquid freedom that Homer extolled. Read now The Improbable Revival of the Cloister Shira Telushkin Why are so many young Catholic women choosing radical seclusion as cloistered nuns? Read now Warehouse Workers of Paris Find Their Voice Benoît Gautier In de-industrializing France, a shuttle bus is workers’ last link to stability. Read now
Daily Prayer for March 8
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9–11, NIV Lord Jesus, we bow before you, before you to whom all power is given. We will love you, O Lord. We will treasure you. Your thoughts shall be our thoughts, that we may learn how you are named in heaven, on earth, and below the earth. Watch over us and be with us until you can come, until the time is fulfilled when you will appear among us and establish God’s kingdom. Then the whole world will rejoice and all people will bend their knees before you, the one Lord and Savior. Amen. Recent articles on Plough The Divine Rhythm of Work and Sabbath Alastair Roberts The Bible’s story of labor begins in Eden – and its ending is still to come. A journey from Genesis to the Apocalypse. Read now Sailing with the Greeks Adam Nicolson Setting out to sea in a small sailboat, I taste the liquid freedom that Homer extolled. Read now The Improbable Revival of the Cloister Shira Telushkin Why are so many young Catholic women choosing radical seclusion as cloistered nuns? Read now Warehouse Workers of Paris Find Their Voice Benoît Gautier In de-industrializing France, a shuttle bus is workers’ last link to stability. Read now Stanley Hauerwas’s Provocations Tish Harrison Warren America’s theologian isn’t worried about the death of cultural Christianity. Read now
Daily Prayer for March 7
The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: “The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things! The Lord’s right hand is lifted high; the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!” Psalm 118:14-16, NIV Dear Father in heaven, we are your children, and we look to you and to your help at every turn of our lives. Remember us, especially when we want to serve you. Stay with us with your Spirit so that everything may work out to further your kingdom and the victory of Jesus Christ, which is to be proclaimed on earth. Through his victory all people shall find in him their Savior and look to you, our Father in heaven. Yes, Father in heaven, have mercy on the world, on the many who are unfortunate and who suffer from the widespread evil around them. Remember them. Have mercy on us through the strong and mighty Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Sailing with the Greeks Adam Nicolson Setting out to sea in a small sailboat, I taste the liquid freedom that Homer extolled. Read now The Improbable Revival of the Cloister Shira Telushkin Why are so many young Catholic women choosing radical seclusion as cloistered nuns? Read now Warehouse Workers of Paris Find Their Voice Benoît Gautier In de-industrializing France, a shuttle bus is workers’ last link to stability. Read now Stanley Hauerwas’s Provocations Tish Harrison Warren America’s theologian isn’t worried about the death of cultural Christianity. Read now Passing On the Farm to My Daughter James Rebanks A record-breaking bull showed that my seventeen-year-old is ready to start taking my place. Read now
Daily Prayer for March 6
Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth. Psalm 96:7–9, NIV Lord our God, you are our help and our comfort. We look to you and to your promises. Grant that we may remain full of courage, also in our personal concerns, so that we do not complain like fretful children, but cheerfully wait for your great victory on earth. May we become your people. Grant your Spirit to your people, not only to a few but eventually to many. Lord our God, we pray that your will may be done on earth among the nations; may your will be done on earth as it is done in heaven. Amen. Recent articles on Plough The Improbable Revival of the Cloister Shira Telushkin Why are so many young Catholic women choosing radical seclusion as cloistered nuns? Read now Warehouse Workers of Paris Find Their Voice Benoît Gautier In de-industrializing France, a shuttle bus is workers’ last link to stability. Read now Stanley Hauerwas’s Provocations Tish Harrison Warren America’s theologian isn’t worried about the death of cultural Christianity. Read now Passing On the Farm to My Daughter James Rebanks A record-breaking bull showed that my seventeen-year-old is ready to start taking my place. Read now The Quest to Emancipate Labor Peter Mommsen Why do we work? The dream of a truly human economy spans millennia, from Genesis to Marx to Martin Luther King. Read now
Daily Prayer for March 5
Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32, RSV Lord our God, we come to you as a little flock, asking you to accept us and keep us as your own, whom you will redeem in your time. Protect us always so that we remain strong in faith. Strengthen us in the faith that you are with us, helping us. Grant that your people may come to the light, to the honor of your name. So we entrust ourselves to your hands this night. Be with us, Lord our God, through your Spirit. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Stanley Hauerwas’s Provocations Tish Harrison Warren America’s theologian isn’t worried about the death of cultural Christianity. Read now Passing On the Farm to My Daughter James Rebanks A record-breaking bull showed that my eighteen-year-old is ready to start taking my place. Read now The Quest to Emancipate Labor Peter Mommsen Why do we work? The dream of a truly human economy spans millennia, from Genesis to Marx to Martin Luther King. Read now The Backbone of a Country Evelyn Mow Luo Zhongli’s 1980 painting Father portrayed an aging farmer in a format usually reserved for deifying China’s political leaders. Read now The Forgiveness Project Marina Cantacuzino In London, an unconventional project shares stories of forgiveness. Read now
Daily Prayer for March 3
Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.” Luke 9:23–24, NIV Dear Father in heaven, you have sent us the Lord Jesus to bear our guilt and our misery. To this day we rejoice that he came, he who can free us from all evil. Teach us to understand the way of the Cross, the way Jesus went. Grant that we may always follow him, even if we also suffer and have a cross to bear. Then we can joyfully go the way he went to the glory of your name, O Father in heaven. We are your children whether we understand it or not. You protect and care for us, until your glory comes and everything is completed that was begun through Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. Bless us in his Word, and help us to become his true followers. Amen. Recent articles on Plough The Quest to Emancipate Labor Peter Mommsen Why do we work? The dream of a truly human economy goes back millennia, from Genesis to Marx to Martin Luther King. Read now The Backbone of a Country Evelyn Mow Luo Zhongli’s 1980 painting Father portrayed an aging farmer in a format usually reserved for deifying China’s political leaders. Read now The Forgiveness Project Marina Cantacuzino In London, an unconventional project shares stories of forgiveness. Read now Confessions of a Former Hack Shelby Kearns An aspiring journalist finds her work assignments at odds with her conscience. Read now Willing What God Wills J. Heinrich Arnold God needs nothing more than this: that we give him a quiet heart. Read now
Daily Prayer for March 1
O taste and see that the Lord is good! Happy is the man who takes refuge in him! Psalm 34:8, RSV Dear Father in heaven, we come to you. With thanks we come to you, for again and again you have helped us. Again and again you have let your light shine out on us so that we could be glad and know that our lives are in your hands. Protect us on this earth, where it is so necessary. Protect us, that the light of true life may shine more and more brightly and we may praise your name with our whole heart. Be with us this night, O God, and touch our hearts with your Spirit. Amen. Recent articles on Plough The Forgiveness Project Marina Cantacuzino In London, an unconventional project shares stories of forgiveness. Read now Confessions of a Former Hack Shelby Kearns An aspiring journalist finds her work assignments at odds with her conscience. Read now Willing What God Wills J. Heinrich Arnold God needs nothing more than this: that we give him a quiet heart. Read now The Third Act of Work John Fechtel Work was centered on the home for much of history. Now it’s back. Read now Rednecks and Barbarians of France Vincent Lloyd Houria Bouteldja’s latest book marks a turn from racial politics to solidarity. Read now
Daily Prayer for February 27
Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown. Revelation 2:10, NIV Lord our God, we come into your presence. Hear our prayers, we entreat you. Let your will be done among us; let your will be done for each one of us individually, and for our time. Let everything go according to your will, even if the way leads through tribulation, fear, and need. For in the end your goal will be reached. In the end you will fulfill your purpose, and your kingdom will come. Your kingdom will come to the honor of your name and for the redemption of all people still suffering on earth. Let your Word bring us blessing. May we go forward joyfully in the patience of Jesus Christ until times change, until a new day dawns and we are allowed to see your glory and your peace. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Confessions of a Former Hack Shelby Kearns An aspiring journalist finds her work assignments at odds with her conscience. Read now Willing What God Wills J. Heinrich Arnold God needs nothing more than this: that we give him a quiet heart. Read now The Third Act of Work John Fechtel Work was centered on the home for much of history. Now it’s back. Read now Rednecks and Barbarians of France Vincent Lloyd Houria Bouteldja’s latest book marks a turn from racial politics to solidarity. Read now Finding Playmates in a Country with Few Children Gaetano Masciullo In a country with plummeting birth rates, an Italian father seeks the simple joy of children playing together. Read now