Daily Prayer for August 30
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10:27–28, NIV Dear Father in heaven, we thank you for moving our hearts so that we may know we are your children. Even in the midst of turmoil and evil, fear and pain, you bring us happiness; we can know that you are holding us with your right hand and will finally deliver us from all evil. Let your Spirit be at work everywhere. Give us patience when time is needed in our own hearts and in the hearts of all people, who also belong to you. Continue to strengthen us so that even the heaviest burden does not crush us and we may exult in hope because you right every wrong, to the glory of your name. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Farming in Chicago Nathan Beacom Like many cities, Chicago lost its connection to local food cultivation. But the tide is already turning. Read now The Terrible Truth Melissa Ohden The survivor of a botched abortion searches for her mother. Read now Enjoy the Moment Daniel Whyte IV What are we missing when we try to record every experience digitally? Read now Past Peasant Future Gus Mitchell What might our peasant ancestors teach us about living closer to the earth? Read now The Family Is Not a Church M. Çiftçi Comparing the family with the church has watered down the church’s political nature. Read now
Daily Prayer for August 29
Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith…Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so. Hebrews 13:7, 9, NIV Lord our God, dear Father in heaven, we thank you for all you do in our lives, for you stretch out your hand to us on earth through our Savior Jesus Christ. We entrust ourselves to you, knowing that everything depends on your rule over our lives. It is your rule that enables us to go forward in your strength and in your light, always finding new joy in spite of struggles and temptations. May your mighty hand be with those who call to you, no matter how they may do it. You see into their hearts. You know those who are sincere, and you will send your Savior to bring them out of all evil and darkness. Be with us today and every day. Amen. Recent articles on Plough The Terrible Truth Melissa Ohden The survivor of a botched abortion searches for her mother. Read now Enjoy the Moment Daniel Whyte IV What are we missing when we try to record every experience digitally? Read now Past Peasant Future Gus Mitchell What might our peasant ancestors teach us about living closer to the earth? Read now The Family Is Not a Church M. Çiftçi Comparing the family with the church has watered down the church’s political nature. Read now On Eternal Health Teresa de Cartagena A deaf fifteenth-century nun searches for the meaning of suffering and infirmity. Read now
Daily Prayer for August 27
Hear my voice when I call, O Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek. Do not hide your face from me. Psalm 27:7–9a, NIV We thank you, dear Father in heaven, that you let the light from your face shine into our hearts. Look upon our time, we pray, with your clear, penetrating eyes, and let all people sense that they are watched over by more than they are able to see. Let them realize that a strong God and Father is watching over them. Protect us on our way, and let your light shine ever more brightly, so that in all we do your name is glorified. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Enjoy the Moment Daniel Whyte IV What are we missing when we try to record every experience digitally? Read now Past Peasant Future Gus Mitchell What might our peasant ancestors teach us about living closer to the earth? Read now The Family Is Not a Church M. Çiftçi Comparing the family with the church has watered down the church’s political nature. Read now On Eternal Health Teresa de Cartagena A deaf fifteenth-century nun searches for the meaning of suffering and infirmity. Read now A Book of Marvels Arthur Aghajanian We might not be so different from medieval artists who drew exotic creatures, places, and people they’d never seen. Read now
Daily Prayer for August 26
Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:4–5, NIV Lord our God, be our Father and care for your children here on earth, where it is often bitterly hard and where everything seems to turn against us. Keep us faithful in our inner life, drawing all our strength from you, the eternal power of life, and from Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. For Jesus has promised to come to us, and you will send him in our time of need. Let your strong hand be with those who often do not know where to turn. Show us paths we can follow, to the glory of your name in all eternity. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Past Peasant Future Gus Mitchell What might our peasant ancestors teach us about living closer to the earth? Read now The Family Is Not a Church M. Çiftçi Comparing the family with the church has watered down the church’s political nature. Read now On Eternal Health Teresa de Cartagena A deaf fifteenth-century nun searches for the meaning of suffering and infirmity. Read now A Book of Marvels Arthur Aghajanian We might not be so different from medieval artists who drew exotic creatures, places, and people they’d never seen. Read now So, a Chatbot Did Your Homework Jacob Riyeff If education is nothing but an information-processing exercise to get a degree, why not? Read now
Daily Prayer for August 25
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2, NIV Grant us your Spirit, Lord our God, that we may discern your good, acceptable, and perfect will. Give us joy in fighting on your side, so that what is good, acceptable, and perfect may be given to the world. Wherever we are and whatever work we do, give us zeal to serve you and be guided by you so that your will may be done and your kingdom come, so that already today we may find happiness even though only in hope. Amen. Recent articles on Plough The Family Is Not a Church Mehmet Çiftçi Comparing the family with the church has watered down the church’s political nature. Read now On Eternal Health Teresa de Cartagena A deaf fifteenth-century nun searches for the meaning of suffering and infirmity. Read now A Book of Marvels Arthur Aghajanian We might not be so different from medieval artists who drew exotic creatures, places, and people they’d never seen. Read now So, a Chatbot Did Your Homework Jacob Riyeff If education is nothing but an information-processing exercise to get a degree, why not? Read now William Tyndale Charles E. Moore and Timothy J. Keiderling Meet the man who translated the Bible into common English and died a martyr’s death. Read now
Daily Prayer for August 24
And, with all these, take up the great shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Ephesians 6:16, NEB Lord our God, we long to come into your light, to live in your strength, that we may do what pleases you and furthers your kingdom on earth. Protect us from evil and do not let us be wounded by the flaming arrows of the evil one. Make paths for us whenever we do not know how to go forward. We always know you are our Father. Because you are our Father, we want to be courageous and persevere to the end so that you can make our lives bear fruit for you, to the glory of your name. Amen. Recent articles on Plough A Book of Marvels Arthur Aghajanian We might not be so different from medieval artists who drew exotic creatures, places, and people they’d never seen. Read now So, a Chatbot Did Your Homework Jacob Riyeff If education is nothing but an information-processing exercise to get a degree, why not? Read now William Tyndale Charles E. Moore and Timothy J. Keiderling Meet the man who translated the Bible into common English and died a martyr’s death. Read now In Praise of Physical Work Aston Fearon There’s joy to be found in work that requires muscle, sweat, and skill. Read now Book Tour: Redeeming Abolitionists and Huck Finn Phil Christman Reviewing The Rise and Fall of the Second American Republic, The United States Governed by Six Hundred Thousand Despots, and Percival Everett’s James. Read now
Daily Prayer for August 22
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?…Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42: 1–2, 5, NIV Lord our God, as the deer pants for refreshing water, so our souls long for you, O God. Our souls thirst for you, for the living God. We stand in your presence and pour out our hearts to you. We bring before you everything that is painful to us, all our suffering and needs. We also bring you all our hopes and the many proofs you have given us that our lives need not go to ruin but can be directed to greater things. May the light of your Spirit shine on us today and always. Amen. Recent articles on Plough William Tyndale Charles E. Moore and Timothy J. Keiderling Meet the man who translated the Bible into common English and died a martyr’s death. Read now In Praise of Physical Work Aston Fearon There’s joy to be found in work that requires muscle, sweat, and skill. Read now Book Tour: Redeeming Abolitionists and Huck Finn Phil Christman Reviewing The Rise and Fall of the Second American Republic, The United States Governed by Six Hundred Thousand Despots, and Percival Everett’s James. Read now In Defense of Democratic Capitalism Larry A. Smith A reader critiques Plough’s Summer 2023 issue on money. Read now On Inner Detachment Meister Eckhart We deafen God day and night with our words, “Lord, thy will be done.” But then when God’s will does happen, we are furious and don’t like it a bit. Read now
Daily Prayer for August 20
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1, NIV Lord our God, grant that we may be your children who receive the Spirit and all they need from you. You strengthen us not only physically but also inwardly, in our hearts, enabling us to face the uncertainties of earthly life and whatever still needs changing in human society. Keep us from giving in to weakness. May your power be always with us. May we have patience and hope, because you are working for the good and we may wait for it in expectation. Amen. Recent articles on Plough In Praise of Physical Work Aston Fearon There’s joy to be found in work that requires muscle, sweat, and skill. Read now Book Tour: Redeeming Abolitionists and Huck Finn Phil Christman Reviewing The Rise and Fall of the Second American Republic, The United States Governed by Six Hundred Thousand Despots, and Percival Everett’s James. Read now In Defense of Democratic Capitalism Larry A. Smith A reader critiques Plough’s Summer 2023 issue on money. Read now On Inner Detachment Meister Eckhart We deafen God day and night with our words, “Lord, thy will be done.” But then when God’s will does happen, we are furious and don’t like it a bit. Read now Poem “Fingered Forgiveness” Laura R. Eckman The poet tells a story of forgiveness. Read now
Daily Prayer for August 19
Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:25–26, NIV Dear God and our Father, if only we have you, we desire nothing more in heaven or on earth. Body and soul may fail, but you, O God, are the strength and comfort of our hearts and you are ours forever. May we live in your Spirit and may your light shine over us. Touch our hearts and help us understand the greatness of what you call us to. Help us and free us again and again so that we are not bound by fear, even when we must pass through intense suffering. For your hand shall be with us and shall rescue us. Your hand shall bring about good for us and for all the people around us. Our hearts go out to them and we plead for them too, “Lord, send your Savior to all.” Amen. Recent articles on Plough Book Tour: Redeeming Abolitionists and Huck Finn Phil Christman Reviewing The Rise and Fall of the Second American Republic, The United States Governed by Six Hundred Thousand Despots, and Percival Everett’s James. Read now In Defense of Democratic Capitalism Larry A. Smith A reader critiques Plough’s Summer 2023 issue on money. Read now On Inner Detachment Meister Eckhart We deafen God day and night with our words, “Lord, thy will be done.” But then when God’s will does happen, we are furious and don’t like it a bit. Read now Poem “Fingered Forgiveness” Laura R. Eckman The poet tells a story of forgiveness. Read now When Older Is Better Jonathan Coppage There’s a reason vinyl records and photographic film are making a comeback. Read now
Daily Prayer for August 18
Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Psalm 73:23–24, NIV Thank you, great God and Father, for filling our hearts with trust so that we are of good hope, also for those who have not yet found trust. Thank you for giving us courage to face all the questions that arise in human life and for accepting us again and again when we come to you. You know what lies before us. You know the mountains that have to be moved. You know all the things that frustrate us and try to wear us out, and you will take them away. At last your light will shine into all the darkness. This certainty fills us with gladness and thanksgiving. In this faith we are determined to remain steadfast and to press on to victory. Amen. Recent articles on Plough In Defense of Democratic Capitalism A reader critiques Plough’s Summer 2023 issue on money. Read now On Inner Detachment Meister Eckhart We deafen God day and night with our words, “Lord, thy will be done.” But then when God’s will does happen, we are furious and don’t like it a bit. Read now Poem “Fingered Forgiveness” Laura R. Eckman The poet tells a story of forgiveness. Read now When Older Is Better Jonathan Coppage There’s a reason vinyl records and photographic film are making a comeback. Read now Better than Success Johann Christoph Arnold Success in parenting is helping your child find a purpose in life. Read now