Daily Prayer for November 26
Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you! As when fire sets twigs ablaze and causes water to boil, come down to make your name known to your enemies and cause the nations to quake before you! Isaiah 64:1–2, NIV Lord our God, in our times too you hear the prayers and cries of your children. We need to cry out, for humankind has not become your own but still lives in pain and under judgment, and many thousands have to die or undergo terrible things. They should be yours, every one of them. They should all be your children. So we cry out to you: Reveal and glorify your name on earth so that a new time may come and great wonders may be done by your hand. May your name be honored, your kingdom come, and your will be done on earth as in heaven. Amen. Recent articles on Plough What Religion Is Black Friday? Anthony Lusvardi, SJ Plastic Christmas trees in Singapore got me thinking about the globalization of our worst holiday customs. Read now On Motherhood and Climate Change Elizabeth Wainwright Without glorifying community or motherhood, Elizabeth Rush’s The Quickening brings these things into the conversation on climate change. Read now Teaching the One Percent Dhananjay Jagannathan A Columbia professor defends the spiritual worth of liberal education. Read now The Critical Moment of the Day John Burroughs A naturalist witnesses the birth of a new day in the Catskills. Read now The Sacred Sounds of Hildegard of Bingen Susannah Black Roberts In music, art, medicine, and spiritual writings, Hildegard of Bingen sought to express “the sacred sound through which all creation resounds.” Read now
Daily Prayer for November 25
The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice… The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all peoples see his glory. Psalm 97:1, 6, NIV Lord our God, we turn to you, for you are our help. Hear our prayer, we beseech you; let our cry rise to you so that you may send your mighty help in our generation. Continue to protect us from all evil, from death and destruction. Protect us because we are your children. As your children we turn to you, the almighty God, who can make everything work together for good. Be merciful to us, O Lord God. Help us for your name’s sake. Help, Lord, for you alone can bring everything to a good end. So we stand before you in Jesus Christ, holding to every word you have given us and knowing for certain that you hear us. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Teaching the One Percent Dhananjay Jagannathan A Columbia professor attempts to teach virtue to future finance bros. Read now The Critical Moment of the Day John Burroughs A naturalist witnesses the birth of a new day in the Catskills. Read now The Sacred Sounds of Hildegard of Bingen Susannah Black Roberts In music, art, medicine, and spiritual writings, Hildegard of Bingen sought to express “the sacred sound through which all creation resounds.” Read now Help in the Land of Forgetfulness Wayne A. Ewing A husband caring for a loved one with dementia finds dark valleys, but also limitless spiritual resources. Read now The Perpetual Flame of Devotion Richard J. Foster How can we learn to pray in a way that pleases God? And what stands in the way? Read now
Daily Prayer for November 24
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them…For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:17, 20, NIV O Lord God, give us new hearts, teach us a new way on earth, so that through your commandments all people may act in accordance with your Word and may become one. Only you can do this, working through your promised Holy Spirit, and you will do it in order that the earth may become a paradise, a heavenly kingdom pleasing to you. Let your words be written in our hearts, and help us to fulfill your commandments in our daily life. Only by carrying out your commandments may we foolish, sinful people be made perfect, our sins be forgiven, and everything become right and good in your sight. Stay with us, Lord God, our Father. Help us in everything. Let something new, something pleasing to you, soon come into our time. Put your commandments into our hearts, that peace may be restored to the glory of your name. Amen. Recent articles on Plough The Critical Moment of the Day John Burroughs A naturalist witnesses the birth of a new day in the Catskills. Read now The Sacred Sounds of Hildegard of Bingen Susannah Black Roberts In music, art, medicine, and spiritual writings, Hildegard of Bingen sought to express “the sacred sound through which all creation resounds.” Read now Help in the Land of Forgetfulness Wayne A. Ewing A husband caring for a loved one with dementia finds dark valleys, but also limitless spiritual resources. Read now The Perpetual Flame of Devotion Richard J. Foster How can we learn to pray in a way that pleases God? And what stands in the way? Read now Even in the Ironbound Stephen G. Adubato A child of suburbia seeks thicker community in New York City’s enclaves and in a particular Newark, New Jersey, neighborhood that defies stereotypes. Read now
Daily Prayer for November 23
I am the good shepherd, who is willing to die for the sheep. When the hired man, who is not a shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees a wolf coming, he leaves the sheep and runs away; so the wolf snatches the sheep and scatters them. John 10:11–12, TEV Lord our God, we thank you for ruling us with your shepherd’s staff so that again and again we can be refreshed and can delight in what you are doing for us. We thank you that we can have eager, joyful faith even when sorrows come, looking again and again to the good you give us. We are thankful and want to be thankful always. Be a mighty Lord over the peoples, we pray, and protect our country. Show your sovereignty by guarding the flock close beside you and by pouring out your grace to give life to the dying and resurrection to those who have died. O Lord God, hear and bless us. May your will be done on earth as in heaven, so that your kingdom may break in and everything may come right, according to your great purpose. Amen. Recent articles on Plough The Sacred Sounds of Hildegard of Bingen Susannah Black Roberts In music, art, medicine, and spiritual writings, Hildegard of Bingen sought to express “the sacred sound through which all creation resounds.” Read now Help in the Land of Forgetfulness Wayne A. Ewing A husband caring for a loved one with dementia finds dark valleys, but also limitless spiritual resources. Read now The Perpetual Flame of Devotion Richard J. Foster How can we learn to pray in a way that pleases God? And what stands in the way? Read now Even in the Ironbound Stephen G. Adubato A child of suburbia seeks thicker community in New York City’s enclaves and in a particular Newark, New Jersey, neighborhood that defies stereotypes. Read now I Cheerfully Refuse Despair Joy Marie Clarkson In Leif Enger’s novel I Cheerfully Refuse, one man fights against despair (and wrongdoers) in a post-apocalyptic world. Read now
Daily Prayer for November 21
Accept salvation as a helmet, and the word of God as the sword which the Spirit gives you. Do all this in prayer, asking for God’s help. Pray on every occasion, as the Spirit leads. For this reason keep alert and never give up; pray always for all God’s people. Ephesians 6:17–18, TEV Lord God, whose might is over all the world, over heaven and over earth, we want to find strength in you, for you have given us thousands of proofs that you are with us, helping in all that happens. And when we meet with difficulties, we want all the more to find strength in you, we want all the more to hope in you and await your victory. Let your light shine into everything, in life and in death. For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory for ever and ever. Amen. Recent articles on Plough The Perpetual Flame of Devotion Richard J. Foster How can we learn to pray in a way that pleases God? And what stands in the way? Read now Even in the Ironbound Stephen G. Adubato A child of suburbia seeks thicker community in New York City’s enclaves and in a particular Newark, New Jersey, neighborhood that defies stereotypes. Read now I Cheerfully Refuse Despair Joy Marie Clarkson In Lief Enger’s novel I Cheerfully Refuse, one man fights against despair (and wrongdoers) in a post-apocalyptic world. Read now Learning the Violin Maria Baer A mother decides to take up an instrument alongside her young daughters. Read now We Are What We Pray Carlo Carretto A hermit in the Sahara Desert tells us what he’s learned about prayer and contemplation. Read now
Daily Prayer for November 20
Lord, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in time of distress, to you the nations will come from the ends of the earth and say, “Our ancestors possessed nothing but false gods, worthless idols that did them no good.” Jeremiah 16:19, NIV Lord our God, we come to you burdened and driven by every kind of need and oppression, but you will bring light into every situation; in your great goodness and faithfulness you will continue to help. We come to you because you are our help. We want to draw strength from your Word so that we can remain steadfast in these times, awaiting your help and already finding joy and certainty in our expectation. For your kingdom is coming, and your will is being done on earth as in heaven. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Even in the Ironbound Stephen G. Adubato A child of suburbia seeks thicker community in New York City’s enclaves and in a particular Newark, New Jersey, neighborhood that defies stereotypes. Read now I Cheerfully Refuse Despair Joy Marie Clarkson In Lief Enger’s novel I Cheerfully Refuse, one man fights against despair (and wrongdoers) in a post-apocalyptic world. Read now Learning the Violin Maria Baer A mother decides to take up an instrument alongside her young daughters. Read now We Are What We Pray Carlo Carretto A hermit in the Sahara Desert tells us what he’s learned about prayer and contemplation. Read now Poem: “And Is It Not Enough?” Malcolm Guite The poet relishes the beauty of autumn, but sees the stripping away that comes with it. Read now
Daily Prayer for November 18
Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Zechariah 9:9, NIV Lord our God, we stand before you and rejoice that you want to be our Helper, our Father. We live in a dark and evil time when whole nations groan and lament. Our need rises to you in heaven, and we cry out, “Help us, Lord our God!” Help that your will may be done in all things and that your kingdom may come. Our task is to pray to you at all times, calling, “Come, O Lord God, in Jesus Christ, the Lord and Savior of all the world!” For in east and west, in south and north, among all nations, Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior. Praise to your name that you have given us this Lord. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Learning the Violin Maria Baer A mother decides to take up an instrument alongside her young daughters. Read now We Are What We Pray Carlo Carretto A hermit in the Sahara Desert tells us what he’s learned about prayer and contemplation. Read now Poem: “And Is It Not Enough?” Malcolm Guite The poet relishes the beauty of autumn, but sees the stripping away that comes with it. Read now The Fire after the Flood Chelsea Boes After Hurricane Helene, neighbors we hardly knew all showed up for a campfire. Read now Christ’s New Command André Trocmé Followers of Jesus are so busy helping their neighbors that it would be unthinkable for them to interrupt this activity to go kill people. Read now
Daily Prayer for November 16
To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see. Hebrews 11:1, TEV Lord our God, we come to you in community of faith and trust, in expectation that you will act. May our hearts be strengthened in all the pain and in all the conflicts of our world. Reveal your will, Almighty God, and protect those you have appointed as our leaders and rulers. Let your will be made plain to them. O Lord God, help your people in these times and give them strength to wait expectantly for what is good, to live and serve in this expectation. Grant your help to all who strive for this. We can all tell of the help that comes from you, for you always support us with your power, also in hard times. Amen. Recent articles on Plough We Are What We Pray Carlo Carretto A hermit in the Sahara Desert tells us what he’s learned about prayer and contemplation. Read now Poem: “And Is It Not Enough?” Malcolm Guite The poet relishes the beauty of autumn, but sees the stripping away that comes with it. Read now The Fire after the Flood Chelsea Boes After Hurricane Helene, neighbors we hardly knew all showed up for a campfire. Read now Christ’s New Command André Trocmé Followers of Jesus are so busy helping their neighbors that it would be unthinkable for them to interrupt this activity to go kill people. Read now Left Behind in Grimsby Simon Cross As one who could move on, and did, I’m left wondering if my years in a blighted British coastal town made any difference to those I left behind. Read now
Daily Prayer for November 15
The land yields its harvest; God, our God, blesses us. May God bless us still, so that all the ends of the earth will fear him. Psalm 67:6–7, NIV Lord our God, bless us, that the world may be blest. Help us, that the whole world may be helped. Grant us your mercy in Jesus Christ, who laid down his life for the whole world. May it soon be revealed that your kingdom stands and will bring our age to an end, a good and blessed end. Grant your blessing on every aspect of our lives, on all the concerns and requests we have on our hearts, and help us to praise and thank you every day. Let your will become known everywhere in spite of the horror and blasphemy, so that even the dying may glorify you and all who have to suffer may praise and thank you because they see your face and recognize your light. We want to entrust everything to you, Lord God. We await you. We rejoice and thank you, for we know your will shall be done. We know and believe that your name shall be glorified. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Poem: “And Is It Not Enough?” Malcolm Guite The poet relishes the beauty of autumn, but sees the stripping away that comes with it. Read now The Fire after the Flood Chelsea Boes After Hurricane Helene, neighbors we hardly knew all showed up for a campfire. Read now Christ’s New Command André Trocmé Followers of Jesus are so busy helping their neighbors that it would be unthinkable for them to interrupt this activity to go kill people. Read now Left Behind in Grimsby Simon Cross As one who could move on, and did, I’m left wondering if my years in a blighted British coastal town made any difference to those I left behind. Read now No Man Is an Island David K. Anderson After four hundred years, John Donne’s Devotions still contain truths we need to hear. Read now
Daily Prayer for November 14
“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah.” Jeremiah 33:14, NIV Lord our God, may your grace rule in our hearts and your love come to us in glorious fulfillment of your promise, so that in our time we may have community with one another to praise and worship you. Then we will be a people belonging to you and receiving help from you. Bless your Word within us, we pray. Teach us again and again how to keep your Word, how to be your children in deed and in truth. May we be given strength of heart whenever great sorrow comes to us. Let your will be revealed everywhere. Let all of humankind know that you rule, that you help us and will remain with us into all eternity. For our names are recorded with you, and we want to stay with you, Father in heaven. We want nothing else but to be your children in this world, to be children in your care for all eternity. Amen. Recent articles on Plough The Fire after the Flood Chelsea Boes After Hurricane Helene, neighbors we hardly knew all showed up for a campfire. Read now Christ’s New Command André Trocmé Followers of Jesus are so busy helping their neighbors that it would be unthinkable for them to interrupt this activity to go kill people. Read now Left Behind in Grimsby Simon Cross As one who could move on, and did, I’m left wondering if my years in a blighted British coastal town made any difference to those I left behind. Read now No Man Is an Island David K. Anderson After four hundred years, John Donne’s Devotions still contain truths we need to hear. Read now Two Months of War Defined My Life Héctor Roldán An Argentinian veteran of the Falklands War experienced rejection in the society that sent him to war, but also healing through comradeship with fellow survivors. Read now