20 Nov 2025
I have breath today, so I choose to thank God. He has brought me this far, and I choose to be grateful. If it were not because of Him, where would I be? If He had not watched over me, what would have become of me? I praise Him for preserving me and blessing me and by extension, those connected to me. Luke 17:11-19.
Today’s Verse – Romans 14:19
Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. —Romans 14:19 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… “Let us… make every effort!”That’s quite a challenge. But notice where that exertion is to be focused: peace and mutual edification. Both sides of this exhortation are two-way responsibilities. I must pursue and share peace if I am going to have it myself. I must edify, and be open to being edified, if mutual edification and encouragement are going to happen. In other words, we live with other people in God’s family. He wants us to be responsible for making relationships work in our spiritual family. He reminds us it will require strenuous effort. But, isn’t that true in every family relationship? Love means sacrifice, effort, and concern for others, as well as love, generosity, and encouragement given to others. When we share our love willingly and peacefully, we’re much more likely to see them both coming back to us more abundantly! My Prayer… Dear Heavenly Father, please forgive me for my impatience and selfishness. Defeat the bad attitude of competitiveness that I sometimes display in arguments and disagreements with others in your family. Energize me by your Spirit to see areas where I can be a blessing and an encouragement to others. In Jesus’ name, I pray to live at peace and be a blessing in your holy family. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
19 Nov 2025
Let us then rise up from our grief and purpose to trust God. He can order our steps into the next season of our lives. Remember, He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. We are just a part of His vast creation. Nothing is too difficult for Him. Joshua 4:20-24.
Daily Prayer for November 19
But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong. 1 Corinthians 1:27, RSV Lord our God, we come to you poor and yet rich, weak and yet strong, with the prayer that your promise may be fulfilled in Jesus Christ, our dear Lord and Savior. Let the time come when the heavens open and a new light shines over the earth, a time when people will praise and thank you and receive everlasting peace and happiness with you. Remember the many people who come into need these days. Remember our nation and all who work for the good of our country. Bless them and help them. And help the dying, O Lord our God; grant that they come to you, for they are yours. Your help will bring life out of death, joy out of grief and need. May your name be honored, dear Father in heaven, may your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as in heaven. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Read Your Enemies David Mills “Know your enemy” is always good advice, but knowing your enemy may include knowing in what ways they’re not enemies but allies. Read now The Beauty of Dissonance Jay Nordlinger Music has a variety of jobs to do, as the other arts do. It can calm, soothe, and delight. It can also provoke, disturb, bite. Read now Yes in My Spare Room Andrew Berg What would a truly Christian response to America’s housing shortage look like? I have some ideas. Read now Not My Will, but Yours Adolphe Monod We don’t have to make a road for ourselves; we just have to walk in one that God has made for us. Read now A History of Plough Magazine Ian M. Randall Trace the history of Plough magazine from its first English edition to the present day. Read now
Today’s Verse – 2 Peter 3:18
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. —2 Peter 3:18 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Where do you need to grow in your walk with the LORD? How about setting the tandem goal of growing in the grace of God and knowledge of Christ Jesus, our LORD and Savior? So often we pursue one or the other, grace or knowledge. However, something comes unhinged in our soul when either of those becomes more important than the other. Let’s keep grace and knowledge together, because we see them united in the Father’s gracious sending of His Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ, who created everything and was before anything (John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:15-17) My Prayer… Holy God, I desire to grow into becoming more of JESUShaped. I know I cannot do that without the power of your Holy Spirit, and my heart desiring such growth. I also want to grow into a more gracious person as I know and experience Jesus’ presence and truth in my life. Please bless me in this holy quest and use me to help others do the same. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
18 Nov 2025
In the sadness that comes with grief or loss, may we find comfort in knowing that the Lord will carry us through. The loss may be painful, but let us allow the Lord to comfort us and heal our wounds. May our trust in Him not be shaken. Jeremiah 17:7-8.
Today’s Verse – Zephaniah 3:17
The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. —Zephaniah 3:17 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Isn’t it comforting, powerful, and restorative to know that God is with us! That’s the great message of the story of Jesus – Immanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23). That’s the message of hope Zephaniah gives the defeated people of God. God is among us. He is mighty to save. He loves us. He delights in us. He stills the storms of our hearts with his loving touch and mighty voice. He sings us lullabies of joy over us. Why? Our Father longs to be close to us and invites us to draw near to him. What will our response be? Oh, I want to move closer to this God! My Prayer… Father, strengthen my resolve as I turn away from evil and draw near to experience your presence. I don’t want any imitation relationship with you. I don’t want some artificial symbol of you. I want to know YOU. I want to experience YOUR presence and for you to use me as a tool of YOUR grace in the lives of others. I need your presence to settle the disquietude of my soul and reassure me of my purpose in Jesus, in whose name I pray and thank you for your presence. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
17 Nov 2025
Having lost a few loved ones over the last few weeks is a reminder that we do not know when the Lord will call us home. This should, therefore, inform us how to lead our lives. 1 Peter 4:7-11 admonishes us to pray, exercise self-control, love one another, be hospitable, serve others with our gifts whole heartedly.
Daily Prayer for November 17
What answer shall be given to the envoys of that nation? “The Lord has established Zion, and in her his afflicted people will find refuge.” Isaiah 14:32, NIV Lord our God, you are our refuge. We wait for you, for your purpose will never fail and your promise will be fulfilled. This we may firmly believe, and from this we may draw strength every day. Even when our life brings sorrow, we do not want to grieve. We want to hope and believe and endure until your day comes. Your kingdom will come on earth, and in the meantime you are watching over your people. In the midst of the world’s daily affairs there will be people who hope in you, who belong to you, and who are firmly rooted in the grace of Jesus Christ until the time is fulfilled. Amen. Recent articles on Plough The Beauty of Dissonance Jay Nordlinger Music has a variety of jobs to do, as the other arts do. It can calm, soothe, and delight. It can also provoke, disturb, bite. Read now Yes in My Spare Room Andrew Berg What would a truly Christian response to America’s housing shortage look like? I have some ideas. Read now Not My Will, but Yours Adolphe Monod We don’t have to make a road for ourselves; we just have to walk in one that God has made for us. Read now A History of Plough Magazine Ian M. Randall Trace the history of Plough magazine from its first English edition to the present day. Read now When Migrants Land in Britain Horatio Clare A journalist heads to Dover to gauge local reactions to an influx of migrant dinghies – and discovers that the headlines get it all wrong. Read now
Today’s Verse – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. —1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Do you want to know some things you can do to please God? Rejoice in his grace. Pray for others. Give thanks for your blessings. These are simple things God wants us to do, and doing them to honor him changes everything. Doing these things is not only spiritual, but also life-giving! My Prayer… Heavenly Father and Almighty God, I am thrilled at the very thought of being your child. Abba Father, please hear my prayer of concern for several people who are on my heart today… Loving God, thank you so much for the blessings you pour into my life each day. In Jesus’ holy name, I rejoice in your grace, pray for these others I have mentioned, and give thanks for your many blessings. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.