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.
Today’s Verse – Acts 16:30-34
“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved — you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God — he and his whole household. —Acts 16:30-34 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Faith in Jesus is the most crucial response to God’s grace and a life-transforming blessing. For the jailer, faith meant hearing the gospel of Jesus as LORD and responding by believing that message, demonstrating a life change, being baptized immediately, and sharing in fellowship with other believers (Acts 2:38-47). Imagine going from being the jailer over men to washing their wounds in your own home! Think about being responsible for the painful incarceration of men, then having these men baptize you and your family that same night! Imagine locking men in chains who would later sit at your table sharing a meal! Isn’t God incredible! Isn’t his grace indescribable! No wonder we rejoice when those who are lost fully believe! Life is forever different them. My Prayer… Father, thank you for the surprises you have brought into my life through your grace. Please bless me as I strive to share your grace this week by presenting the Gospel of Jesus to those I love. May we see whole households turn to you because you surprised them with your amazing grace! In the name of the LORD Jesus, 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.
Today’s Verse – Romans 14:4
Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. —Romans 14:4 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… The apostle Paul warned early believers against passing judgment on other Christians in matters not central to the faith. He also reminded them of whose job it is to judge in these matters – the LORD. He also emphasized that the person on whom they passed judgment belonged to the LORD – that person was HIS servant. Paul then asked them (and us): What right does anyone have to pass judgment on a person for whom Christ died and who is also a servant who belongs to the LORD? (Romans 14:15; 1 Corinthians 8:11) Unfortunately, the evil one makes it easy for us to find fault and pass judgment on others about something nonessential while never dealing with the obvious sin in our own lives. We must not judge other believers in matters that are not central to the faith. We will answer to God for our sin and our judgmentalism. Jesus warned that the harshness we use to judge others will be the harshness the LORD will use with us on judgment day (Matthew 7:2). That’s sobering, and a reminder to not judge each other. Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Father, please forgive me. I confess that I have wrongly passed judgment on others when I had no right or authority to do so. I know Jesus died to redeem them and want to use them for your glory. I know you love them and have a plan for each of them. I know that I have things wrong in my own life. Please redeem my heart and use me to be an encouragement, never a stumbling block, to your precious, blood-bought children. 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.
14 Nov 2025
Life can be complex at times and we may not know what to do. It helps to know that we serve a powerful God, one who is mighty and gracious. As we seek to know His will, may we trust that He is able to take care of us. Psalm 3:1-8.
Today’s Verse – Romans 14:13
Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way. —Romans 14:13 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… It is so easy to be judgmental of others. We must remember that we don’t know their struggles, circumstances, or discouragements. Most of all, we don’t know their hearts. When we are judgmental, we erect a barrier between others and ourselves as we set ourselves up as superior to a brother or sister for whom Christ Jesus died! If we are not careful, we can spread our judgmental impression of them to others in gossip. Our stubbornness to only view them with a judgmental spirit erects a stumbling block that can lead them to become discouraged and cause them to stumble. Jesus warns us sternly about such a damaging practice (Matthew 18:6-7). Let’s set our minds on being an encouragement and blessing to our brothers and sisters and not put an obstacle in the way of others. My Prayer… Father, I ask you to conform my attitude toward others to match the redemptive grace you have for them. I want to be more patient with the failures of others, just as you are patient with mine. Please forgive me for not being more encouraging to those who are weak and struggling. Open my eyes to the ways I can be a blessing. Forgive me for being a hindrance to others. Open my heart to share your blessings with them. Please use me as your instrument of grace and encouragement, never as a selfish stumbling block to one of your precious children. In Jesus’ name, I ask to grow in these graces. 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.
13 Nov 2025
Praying is talking with God. We should praise and adore Him, confess our iniquity, and ask for forgiveness, seek His help, and listen to His direction. We should desire His presence and allow Him to minister to us. Interact with Him and trust that He hears and knows what is best for us. May He order our steps and allow us to see His glory. Psalm 91:1-16.