Daily Prayer for June 1
For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. John 6:33, NIV Dear Father in heaven, in your Word we trust, in your Word of eternal life, given us in Jesus Christ our Savior. We build on this Word of life in these days when it seems that everything is losing strength and value, and yet there is so much longing in people’s hearts. You will not let our hope be disappointed. What you have spoken must be fulfilled. What is promised in Jesus Christ must come into being, not only for a few but for the whole world, for which he died and was raised from the dead. Be with us. Keep us so fully alive that our lives reflect all the goodness we are allowed to experience and we overcome all the evil which tries to attack us. We thank you for calling us to life and for renewing us again and again. May your name be praised among us forever. Amen. Recent articles on Plough How God Sees Us Christoph Friedrich Blumhardt We must learn to see the divine worth in everyone regardless of how they treat us. Read now Covering the Cover: The Good of Tech Rosalind Stevenson This issue’s cover shows humans who are interacting with technology, rather than being enslaved by it. Read now Humans Are Magnificent Johannes Hartl A philosopher defends humanity against its detractors. Read now Blessed Are the Meek John Chrysostom, Elisabeth Elliot, Richard Rohr, and Teresa of Ávila The world cannot fathom strength proceeding from weakness or power from meekness. Read now In Pursuit of Pure Northernness Daniel Whyte IV Iceland’s vastness, perilousness, and barrenness haunt me. I wasn’t searching for God on that poetic island, but I found him. Read now
Daily Prayer for May 28
You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. 1 Thessalonians 5:5–6, NIV Dear Father in heaven, we thank you that we may be your children. We thank you that through your Spirit our hearts may know that we are your children. Even when everything around us becomes difficult and we are hemmed in by darkness, we remain your children. Even when we often do not see how we are to go on and everything seems to be taken from us, we remain your children. Even when sin and death surround us and accuse us of being in the wrong, we still remain your children. As your children we entrust ourselves to your hands. In our whole life, in all our work and activity, we dwell in what has come from you, and we rejoice in Christ our Savior. Amen. Recent articles on Plough In Pursuit of Pure Northernness Daniel Whyte IV Iceland’s vastness, perilousness, and barrenness haunt me. I wasn’t searching for God on that poetic island, but I found him. Read now Salvaging Beauty from the Ruins Elizabeth Genovise Danielle Chapman’s Holler tells a story that in a way belongs to all of us. Read now A World Full of Signs Susannah Black Roberts Maximus the Confessor saw the natural world as charged with symbolic meaning. Read now Pray for Those Annoying People William Law It’s hard to despise someone after interceding for them in prayer. Read now Pray Like a Cicada Matthew J. Milliner This summer trillions of cicadas are serenading parts of the American Midwest. What can we learn from them? Read now
Daily Prayer for May 27
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14, RSV Lord our God, our Father in heaven, we thank you for letting us receive so much that is good in all circumstances on earth. We thank you that we can have joy in life in spite of our shortcomings, mistakes, and worries. You bless us with heavenly gifts, so that rejoicing, we can walk on earth as if in heaven. Keep the gifts of your Spirit alive in us. Keep alive in us everything that Jesus Christ was, everything he is, and everything he will be on earth for all people. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Salvaging Beauty from the Ruins Elizabeth Genovise Danielle Chapman’s Holler tells a story that in a way belongs to all of us. Read now A World Full of Signs Susannah Black Roberts Maximus the Confessor saw the natural world as charged with symbolic meaning. Read now Pray for Those Annoying People William Law It’s hard to despise someone after interceding for them in prayer. Read now Pray Like a Cicada Matthew J. Milliner This summer trillions of cicadas are serenading parts of the American Midwest. What can we learn from them? Read now Conservation Is for Conservatives John Murdock Francis Schaeffer wouldn’t recognize the religious right he helped create, not least when it comes to environmentalism. Read now
Daily Prayer for May 26
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3, NIV Dear Father in heaven, we thank you for wanting to give us happiness and for holding our earthly life firmly in your hands. May we have the confidence that we are in your hands. Grant us the light of faith. Let this light of faith guide us in material things and help us to wait in patience until the doors open for us to pass through according to your pleasure. So bless us all. Bless our life. May we grow joyful and free of heart through all that Jesus Christ gives. On the foundation he establishes for us may your divine working, your fatherly love, lift and support us throughout our lives. Amen. Recent articles on Plough A World Full of Signs Susannah Black Roberts Maximus the Confessor saw the natural world as charged with symbolic meaning. Read now Pray for Those Annoying People William Law It’s hard to despise someone after interceding for them in prayer. Read now Pray Like a Cicada Matthew J. Milliner This summer trillions of cicadas are serenading parts of the American Midwest. What can we learn from them? Read now Conservation Is for Conservatives John Murdock Francis Schaeffer wouldn’t recognize the religious right he helped create, not least when it comes to environmentalism. Read now Everyone Belongs to God Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove The hope of the world does not rest on our ability to recruit others into a religion. Read now
Daily Prayer for May 25
God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful. 1 Corinthians 1:9, NIV Lord our God, we stand before you and rejoice that we may have fellowship with you through the Lord Jesus Christ. Grant us the light of your Spirit. Grant our hearts strength for life. Open for us the paths of life, that we may find joy and hope in spite of all the suffering we must go through on earth. Let all humankind be entrusted to your care. Rule over them with your power, whether they are aware of it or not, and take world history into your hands so that all people may receive your mercy. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Pray for Those Annoying People William Law It’s hard to despise someone after interceding for them in prayer. Read now Pray Like a Cicada Matthew J. Milliner This summer trillions of cicadas are serenading parts of the American Midwest. What can we learn from them? Read now Conservation Is for Conservatives John Murdock Francis Schaeffer wouldn’t recognize the religious right he helped create, not least when it comes to environmentalism. Read now Everyone Belongs to God Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove The hope of the world does not rest on our ability to recruit others into a religion. Read now PloughCast 82: Regenerative Agriculture in the Lake District James Rebanks, Helen Rebanks, Peter Mommsen and Susannah Black Roberts Bestselling authors James and Helen Rebanks talk about raising sheep and cattle – and a family – in the Lake District. Read now
Daily Prayer for May 24
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. Luke 4:18-19, RSV We thank you, dear Father in heaven, for the many times you let us experience that we do not need to despair because of darkness, weakness, or sickness. You hear the desires of our hearts. You love us for all that we love when we love the Savior and when we praise his name. Let us remain in this spirit. Come to us with many proofs of your power, to the glory of your name. Come in the inner quiet of heart through which we are able to grasp what it means for us that you are our Father in Jesus Christ. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Pray Like a Cicada Matthew J. Milliner This summer trillions of cicadas are serenading parts of the American Midwest. What can we learn from them? Read now Conservation Is for Conservatives John Murdock Francis Schaeffer wouldn’t recognize the religious right he helped create, not least when it comes to environmentalism. Read now Everyone Belongs to God Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove The hope of the world does not rest on our ability to recruit others into a religion. Read now PloughCast 82: Regenerative Agriculture in the Lake District James Rebanks, Helen Rebanks, Peter Mommsen and Susannah Black Roberts Bestselling authors James and Helen Rebanks talk about raising sheep and cattle – and a family – in the Lake District. Read now The Penderwick Family Honor Jeff Reimer Jeanne Birdsall’s Penderwick novels probe the tension between happiness and loss. Read now
Daily Prayer for May 23
They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. John 17:16-17, NIV Dear God and Father of us all, sanctify us in your truth. Your Word is truth. We come before your presence and ask you to touch us with your Spirit, to shape our lives in the truth and in the joy of your name. Touch us with your Spirit, that we may carry out our tasks in your service. May your face shine on us and on all needy people who turn to you. May your power be given ever more fully, and may your cause become great in the world until at last it brings new life to all nations. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Conservation Is for Conservatives John Murdock Francis Schaeffer wouldn’t recognize the religious right he helped create, not least when it comes to environmentalism. Read now Everyone Belongs to God Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove The hope of the world does not rest on our ability to recruit others into a religion. Read now PloughCast 82: Regenerative Agriculture in the Lake District James Rebanks, Helen Rebanks, Peter Mommsen and Susannah Black Roberts Bestselling authors James and Helen Rebanks talk about raising sheep and cattle – and a family – in the Lake District. Read now The Penderwick Family Honor Jeff Reimer Jeanne Birdsall’s Penderwick novels probe the tension between happiness and loss. Read now Nature Is Obsessed with Me Annemarie Konzelman Spiders, wasps, and mold – they’re my neighbors, but can I love them? Read now
Daily Prayer for May 22
I will declare your name to my brothers; in the congregation I will praise you. Psalm 22:22, NIV Lord our God, Almighty Father in heaven, we stand before you as your children, whom you want to protect through the need of our time, through all sin and death. We praise you for giving us so much peace in an age full of trouble, and for granting us the assurance of your help. Even when we suffer, we do not want to remain in the darkness of suffering but want to rise up to praise and glorify you. For your kingdom is coming; it is already at hand. Your kingdom comforts and helps us and points the way for the whole world, that your will may be done on earth as in heaven. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Everyone Belongs to God Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove The hope of the world does not rest on our ability to recruit others into a religion. Read now PloughCast 82: Regenerative Agriculture in the Lake District James Rebanks, Helen Rebanks, Peter Mommsen and Susannah Black Roberts Bestselling authors James and Helen Rebanks talk about raising sheep and cattle – and a family – in the Lake District. Read now The Penderwick Family Honor Jeff Reimer Jeanne Birdsall’s Penderwick novels probe the tension between happiness and loss. Read now Nature Is Obsessed with Me Annemarie Konzelman Spiders, wasps, and mold – they’re my neighbors, but can I love them? Read now The Mystery of the Early Church Eberhard Arnold An early Plough article looks at the implications of what happened at Pentecost. Read now
Daily Prayer for May 21
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17, NIV Lord our God, you have revealed your righteousness to us in the gospel, your righteousness that comes to us through faith and continues in faith. Grant that we may understand your righteousness and live by it even in a crooked generation. Then to our joy the gospel will bear fruit. Protect us in the midst of temptation and conflicting opinions so that we are raised above them and remain free, with our thoughts on you and your true and loving righteousness. Your righteousness gives us hope for the many, many people who still need help to realize that their lives are not of passing value but of eternal worth. Amen. Recent articles on Plough PloughCast 82: Regenerative Agriculture in the Lake District James Rebanks, Helen Rebanks, Peter Mommsen and Susannah Black Roberts Bestselling authors James and Helen Rebanks talk about raising sheep and cattle – and a family – in the Lake District. Read now The Penderwick Family Honor Jeff Reimer Jeanne Birdsall’s Penderwick novels probe the tension between happiness and loss. Read now Nature Is Obsessed with Me Annemarie Konzelman Spiders, wasps, and mold – they’re my neighbors, but can I love them? Read now The Mystery of the Early Church Eberhard Arnold An early Plough article looks at the implications of what happened at Pentecost. Read now Earthworks Urban Farm Casey Kleczek At a community garden in Detroit, kids grow food to supply a soup kitchen. Read now
Daily Prayer for May 20
Such prayer is right, and approved by God our Saviour, whose will it is that all men should find salvation and come to know the truth. 1 Timothy 2:3-4, NEB Lord our God, give us your Spirit, we pray, that we may learn to understand what we are and what tasks you have set for us. We thank you for all the light you give us. Grant that we and many others may come closer to knowledge of the truth and be at peace about all that belongs in your hands, our Father in heaven. Keep us now and forevermore in your almighty hand. May we know your goodness and the blessing it brings. For through your goodness we can endure even the hardest days and be victorious in the battle of life. Amen. Recent articles on Plough The Penderwick Family Honor Jeff Reimer Jeannie Birdsall’s Penderwick novels probe the tension between happiness and loss. Read now Nature Is Obsessed with Me Annemarie Konzelman Spiders, wasps, and mold – they’re my neighbors, but can I love them? Read now The Mystery of the Early Church Eberhard Arnold An early Plough article looks at the implications of what happened at Pentecost. Read now Earthworks Urban Farm Casey Kleczek At a community garden in Detroit, kids grow food to supply a soup kitchen. Read now Hummingbirds Are Wondrous Zito Madu Everyone who has admired the hummingbird has one particular bird in mind. My hummingbird came to me in Los Angeles four years ago. Read now