Today’s Verse – 2 Corinthians 7:1
Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. —2 Corinthians 7:1 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… God has blessed us with so many wonderful promises. He secured them by sending his Son “to conquer death and bring life and immortality to life” (2 Timothy 1:10). He will “transform our lowly bodies to be like his glorious body” (Philippians 3:21). He will take us home to be with him eternally, but until that day, he will live inside us, make his home in us, and reveal himself to us (John 14:20-23). He will make us more than conquerors and will not allow anything to separate us from his love (Romans 8:32-39). So what should our response be? We should offer him praise, but we must not limit our praise to just words (Colossians 3:16-17). God wants our lives to be pure, staying away from what is evil, vile, putrid, and corrupt (1 John 3:1-3). He wants us to do this, not so we can claim some moral superiority, but so that we can show him our adoration and reverence. In our desire to offer God praise, let’s not forget that one of the greatest ways to praise him is to seek him in purity and holiness! My Prayer… Forgive me, Heavenly Father, for my sins. Purify my heart and cast out any foothold the devil may have in me because of my previous sin. Empower me to holiness and accept my life as an offering of praise and thanks to you for your amazing grace. In the name of Jesus, I offer you my heart, my life, and my all. 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.
Daily Prayer for November 22
Be patient, then, my brothers, until the Lord comes. See how patient a farmer is as he waits for his land to produce precious crops. He waits patiently for the autumn and spring rains. James 5:7, TEV Lord Jesus, hear our prayer and reveal your hand in our days. May those things be done that bring your future nearer and that let the world see you as the Savior who can lead us to our Father. Bless your Word within us. May our hearts be strengthened, and may we always live in your presence. We draw our life from your Word, from your promise, and we set our hope on you, our Lord and Savior. Show your might, Lord Jesus, and carry out the will of God over all the world, so that we may rejoice when we see God’s glory appear and his will being done on earth as in heaven. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Education Should Begin Early John Amos Comenius A seventeenth-century educator knew formation of character starts while children are young. Read now When Faith Hardens Gabriel Barsawme When threatened, we humans naturally choose rigid certainty and clarity over remaining open to the truth. Ephrem the Syrian can help. Read now The Angel Who Wanted a Hamburger Cameron Garden Karl Rahner helps us take angels seriously, even if they are admittedly hard to pin down. Read now The Spirit of Early Christianity Eberhard Arnold Why has the example of the first Christians never ceased to fuel renewal and reform? Read now 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
21 Nov 2025
Live and serve as the Lord leads you. Do not be anxious. Commit your worries to Him. Then go about what He has called you to do and rejoice and be thankful as you see Him work everything together for good. Be at peace and appreciate Him for every moment of every day. Psalm 37:1-7.
Today’s Verse – Psalm 94:19
When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. —Psalm 94:19 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… God is our comforter, sustainer, and LORD. Only his gracious presence and tender blessings can bring consolation and comfort to our restless and discouraged souls. Let’s turn our hearts toward God, honestly confessing our sins, sorrows, and anxieties. Let’s ask him to restore our passion, joy, and confidence in our salvation. As the apostle Paul told the Philippians when he wrote them from prison: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7). My Prayer… Almighty Shepherd, I need your consolation in my soul. The noise and confusion of my thoughts weary my spirit. The burdens and concerns I feel for others weigh down my heart. Please minister to me through your Comforter, the Holy Spirit. I need your comfort and peace to quieten my anxieties and worries. I ask for your presence and your grace to restore the joy of my salvation. I invite the Holy Spirit to work your comfort, peace, and joy into the fabric of my being. In Jesus’ name, I ask for your help in finding grace in all I think, feel, and do. 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.
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.