Daily Prayer for December 20
This is the one about whom it is written: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.” Matthew 11:10, NIV Lord our God, thank you for bringing us into glorious day. Let the rays of your grace, the grace of Jesus Christ, shine into our hearts so that we are truly born of the Spirit and serve you as your children at all times, also when hard days come. Through your might and your revelation pry us loose from all earthly things. Pry us loose from worries and from pleasures. We are your children, O Lord God. We come before you, our Father in heaven, and you will accept us so that we may be a people who prepare the way for you. May all the words you speak be a blessing to us and make us joyful in expectation for the day of Jesus Christ, which has begun in power and glory and will bring power and glory when all is fulfilled according to your merciful and perfect decree. O God, your children entreat you, “Accept us. Hear us. Set the light aflame in our hearts for the coming of your great day!” Amen. Recent articles on Plough The Busted Bean Maureen Swinger Follow an old school bus’s transformation into a space for coffee and camaraderie. Read now Celebrate Advent with Children Julie Kilcur The church’s liturgical traditions remind us that we don’t need to innovate. Advent is a great time to start forging meaningful memories. Read now The Great Floodtide of the Spirit Johann Christoph Blumhardt We are dehydrated people and since we need the Spirit, God will give it again. Read now Let Children Play Peter Gray In an age of high-pressure childhoods, free play is more necessary than ever. Read now We’re Alone Together Caitrin Keiper A review of Edwidge Danticat’s new essay collection, We’re Alone. Read now
Daily Prayer for December 19
When the Lord brought us back to Jerusalem, it was like a dream! How we laughed, how we sang for joy! Then the other nations said about us, “The Lord did great things for them.” Indeed he did great things for us; how happy we were! Psalm 126:1–3, TEV Dear Father in heaven, we hope in you and in your promise, which we hold in our hearts as our most precious possession. Protect us when times grow hard. May your Spirit come. May your Spirit constantly reveal your Word and give your promise to the hearts of many so that they may share in the hope, the faith, and the struggle for the great day. On that day we will be allowed to rejoice, exulting with all people because your salvation comes for the whole world. Amen. Recent articles on Plough The Great Floodtide of the Spirit Johann Christoph Blumhardt We are dehydrated people and since we need the Spirit, God will give it again. Read now Let Children Play Peter Gray In an age of high-pressure childhoods, free play is more necessary than ever. Read now We’re Alone Together Caitrin Keiper A review of Edwidge Danticat’s new essay collection, We’re Alone. Read now How Math Makes You a Better Person Frederick K. S. Leung Across cultures, I found that math can be more than mere problem-solving. Read now Your Guardian Angel Is Always Present Bernard of Clairvaux With angelic protection, you will walk on the asp and the basilisk; you will trample the lion and the dragon underfoot. Read now
Daily Prayer for December 18
Praise awaits you, O God, in Zion; to you our vows will be fulfilled. O you who hear prayer, to you all men will come. Psalm 65:1–2, NIV Lord our God, our Father, out of reverent silence comes the praise that is due to you, O God in Zion. It is right for us to praise you and to keep our promises to you. People everywhere shall come to you, for you answer prayer. Protect us your children in the task you have given us. Watch over us so that we can serve you in the right way and receive from you the gifts we need in order to go toward your kingdom and witness to your name. Help us on every step of the way. May our lives be entrusted to your hands, and may we always find our strength in you, our God and Savior. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Let Children Play Peter Gray In an age of high-pressure childhoods, free play is more necessary than ever. Read now We’re Alone Together Caitrin Keiper A review of Edwidge Danticat’s new essay collection, We’re Alone. Read now How Math Makes You a Better Person Frederick K. S. Leung Across cultures, I found that math can be more than mere problem-solving. Read now Your Guardian Angel Is Always Present Bernard of Clairvaux With angelic protection, you will walk on the asp and the basilisk; you will trample the lion and the dragon underfoot. Read now Trumpet Man Robert Lee Williams A mystery man sporting a salt-and-pepper afro blew a golden trumpet in the prison yard. His tune took me back to the streets. Read now
Daily Prayer for December 16
The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed. Isaiah 50:4, NIV Lord our God, we thank you for giving us the task of serving you in the name of your servant, Jesus Christ, for letting each of us have a part in carrying out your will. Keep us true to this service. We want to be faithful, always listening to you, for you open our ears and help us know your will and respond to it. Be with us in these days. Strengthen your love and compassion in all hearts. May the life of Jesus Christ gain greater and greater power in all people on earth. Amen. Recent articles on Plough How Math Makes You a Better Person Frederick K. S. Leung Across cultures, I found that math can be more than mere problem-solving. Read now Your Guardian Angel Is Always Present Bernard of Clairvaux With angelic protection, you will walk on the asp and the basilisk; you will trample the lion and the dragon underfoot. Read now Trumpet Man Robert Lee Williams A mystery man sporting a salt-and-pepper afro blew a golden trumpet in the prison yard. His tune took me back to the streets. Read now Tell an Old Story for Modern Times Lisabeth Button A Bruderhof teacher applies lessons from her mentors and Homer in her classroom and beyond. Read now A Failsafe Cure for Loneliness Johann Christoph Arnold If we look at what we can give to others, our loneliness will evaporate. Read now
Daily Prayer for December 15
A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain.” Isaiah 40:3–4, RSV Lord our God, open our ears and our hearts so that we hear you speaking and can follow the voice that cries out to us. May we be a people who prepare the way for you. Grant each of us strength to give up everything at the right moment and to realize, “The way to my heart should be leveled too. It should be straight and level all around me and in the whole world.” The light is now shining for us in Jesus Christ, and through him we want to find strength and help, to the glory of your name. Through hearing his voice we will find help. Help will be very near to us, and the mighty hand of the Lord Jesus will be over us in every need. For this he came. We can believe in his help, and we long for it. Hear the inmost longing of each one of us, and make us part of your people so that we may keep hope in our hearts and serve you on earth. Praise to your name, O Father in heaven, that you have put us on earth and that we can draw strength from the One who fights and is victorious, Jesus Christ. Amen. Recent articles on Plough How Math Makes You a Better Person Frederick K. S. Leung Across cultures, I found that math can be more than mere problem-solving. Read now Your Guardian Angel Is Always Present Bernard of Clairvaux With angelic protection, you will walk on the asp and the basilisk; you will trample the lion and the dragon underfoot. Read now Trumpet Man Robert Lee Williams A mystery man sporting a salt-and-pepper afro blew a golden trumpet in the prison yard. His tune took me back to the streets. Read now The Reluctant Goddess and the Roasted Hogs Lisabeth Button A Bruderhof teacher applies lessons from her mentors and Homer in her classroom and beyond. Read now A Failsafe Cure for Loneliness Johann Christoph Arnold If we look at what we can give to others, our loneliness will evaporate. Read now
Daily Prayer for December 14
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever. Hebrews 13:8, RSV Thank you, Father in heaven, for gathering us together and opening a door which can be entered by all who are like children. You open the door for all who have the childlike hope that you are carrying out your purpose, that in the midst of the ruin and sin of world history, life remains, the life of the Lord Jesus Christ, life for all the world. No one can destroy this life, which will soon gather power until all people see him, Jesus Christ, who for the salvation of humankind is the same yesterday, today, and in all eternity. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Your Guardian Angel Is Always Present Bernard of Clairvaux With angelic protection, you will walk on the asp and the basilisk; you will trample the lion and the dragon underfoot. Read now Trumpet Man Robert Lee Williams A mystery man sporting a salt-and-pepper afro blew a golden trumpet in the prison yard. His tune took me back to the streets. Read now The Reluctant Goddess and the Roasted Hogs Lisabeth Button A Bruderhof teacher applies lessons from her mentors and Homer in her classroom and beyond. Read now A Failsafe Cure for Loneliness Johann Christoph Arnold If we look at what we can give to others, our loneliness will evaporate. Read now For Such a King Kelsi Folsom Don’t be surprised to find politically subversive messages in Gian Carlo Menotti’s classic children’s opera Amahl and the Night Visitors. Read now
Daily Prayer for December 13
I will give you a new heart and a new mind. I will take away your stubborn heart of stone and give you an obedient heart. I will put my spirit in you and will see to it that you follow my laws and keep all the commands I have given you. Ezekiel 36:26–27, TEV Lord our God, may our lives be awakened, for you send your Spirit to blow through heaven and earth and you stir everything to life. May we long for your Spirit’s prompting. Grant that we not be overpowered by evil and sin. May we be born anew to be fighters for the highest good on earth, which leads into heaven. Hear the prayers of all people far and near who are sighing for the Savior. We pray for them all as we pray for ourselves, and you will hear our prayer. You will send power to lift up their hearts and souls so that there may be a great throng of your joyful people on earth. In spite of all the misfortune, adversity, and danger in the world, there will be a people exulting from one end of the earth to the other, a people trusting in you and sure of victory through the great grace you give in answer to our prayers. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Trumpet Man Robert Lee Williams A mystery man sporting a salt-and-pepper afro blew a golden trumpet in the prison yard. His tune took me back to the streets. Read now The Reluctant Goddess and the Roasted Hogs Lisabeth Button A Bruderhof teacher applies lessons from her mentors and Homer in her classroom and beyond. Read now A Failsafe Cure for Loneliness Johann Christoph Arnold If we look at what we can give to others, our loneliness will evaporate. Read now For Such a King Kelsi Folsom Don’t be surprised to find politically subversive messages in Gian Carlo Menotti’s classic children’s opera Amahl and the Night Visitors. Read now Book Tour: Of Gods and Ghosts Phil Christman Reviewing Lake of Darkness by Adam Roberts, All Things Are Full of Gods by David Bentley Hart, and Concerning the Future of Souls by Joy Williams. Read now
Daily Prayer for December 12
He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. John 1:11–12, NIV Lord our God, we thank you for allowing us to be called your children. We thank you for giving us the power to become more truly your children, so that there may be a witness to your name on earth, so that again and again in the name of Jesus Christ new power may come for body and soul, for the happy and unhappy, for all who are still following false paths, for all who suffer so much grief, fear, and need. We thank you and we praise your name. Help us on our way. Help us weak people who often grow anxious and afraid. Help us in everything. Help us especially in the concern we have deepest in our hearts, that your name may be honored, your kingdom come, and your will be done on earth as in heaven. Amen. Recent articles on Plough The Reluctant Goddess and the Roasted Hogs Lisabeth Button A Bruderhof teacher applies lessons from her mentors and Homer in her classroom and beyond. Read now A Failsafe Cure for Loneliness Johann Christoph Arnold If we look at what we can give to others, our loneliness will evaporate. Read now For Such a King Kelsi Folsom Don’t be surprised to find politically subversive messages in Gian Carlo Menotti’s classic children’s opera Amahl and the Night Visitors. Read now Book Tour: Of Gods and Ghosts Phil Christman Reviewing Lake of Darkness by Adam Roberts, All Things Are Full of Gods by David Bentley Hart, and Concerning the Future of Souls by Joy Williams. Read now Not Enough Christmas Music Terence Sweeney We barely have any Christmas music at all. We have too much Advent music. Read now
Daily Prayer for December 11
Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing. Psalm 16:1–2, NIV Dear Father in heaven, look on us as your children, and grant that we may feel in you the highest good for time and eternity. Even if we have to deny ourselves and make great sacrifices, you remain our treasure, our riches, our love, and our joy. Give us strength as a gathered people ready to serve you. Grant us your Spirit whenever we do not understand what we should do. Shelter us always in your hands, and allow us to see your miracles in souls and in bodies. For you are our God, the Almighty, and you find the way to help in everything. Amen. Recent articles on Plough A Failsafe Cure for Loneliness Johann Christoph Arnold If we look at what we can give to others, our loneliness will evaporate. Read now For Such a King Kelsi Folsom Don’t be surprised to find politically subversive messages in Gian Carlo Menotti’s classic children’s opera Amahl and the Night Visitors. Read now Book Tour: Of Gods and Ghosts Phil Christman Reviewing Lake of Darkness by Adam Roberts, All Things Are Full of Gods by David Bentley Hart, and Concerning the Future of Souls by Joy Williams. Read now Not Enough Christmas Music Terence Sweeney We barely have any Christmas music at all. We have too much Advent music. Read now A Sky Full of Children Madeleine L’Engle Don’t try to explain the Incarnation to me! It is further from being explainable than the furthest star in the furthest galaxy. Read now
Daily Prayer for December 10
But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves. Malachi 4:2, NIV Lord our God, we think of all the people who have trusted in you. We remember all the signs and wonders you have shown to establish your name among us. We belong to those who hold to you today; may our hearts be kept faithful through your Spirit. Even if there are great hardships in our times and everything seems on the verge of collapse, even if the world perishes, you, O God, are our stronghold. This truth remains forever. In you we want to hold true until your great day comes, until the power of the Savior is revealed in many people so that in their misery they can believe and find help and comfort. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Book Tour: Of Gods and Ghosts Phil Christman Reviewing Lake of Darkness by Adam Roberts, All Things Are Full of Gods by David Bentley Hart, and Concerning the Future of Souls by Joy Williams. Read now Not Enough Christmas Music Terence Sweeney We barely have any Christmas music at all. We have too much Advent music. Read now A Sky Full of Children Madeleine L’Engle Don’t try to explain the Incarnation to me! It is further from being explainable than the furthest star in the furthest galaxy. Read now The School that Escaped to the Alps Marianne Wright Faced with a Nazi takeover, the first Bruderhof school took refuge in Liechtenstein. Read now Should I Read Scary Fairy Tales to My Child? Stephanie Ebert My kids already know the world is not safe. Will dragons and goblins make it worse? Read now