Daily Prayer for April 7
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever – the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. John 14:16–17, NIV Lord our God and our Father, we thank you for giving us the Holy Spirit, who binds us to you. Give us continually afresh something of this Spirit so that we can go forward with light shining on the paths we must follow on earth. Grant us your Spirit, grant that light may break into our whole life and we can rejoice because we experience so much of what you are doing. For through the power of your Spirit you can help us toward your future and all that is to come, that we may live not only in time but in eternity. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Why I Went Cold Turkey on Political Theology Alastair Roberts Reading the Gospels out of delight in them, rather than as fodder for political argument, was like breathing fresh air. Read now Fidelity in Little Things François Fénelon True love to God thinks nothing small. It acts with simplicity. Read now Year of Wonder Paul J. Pastor Two poems listen keenly to the language of nature’s seasons. Read now Experiencing Bach Zito Madu I had little appreciation for classical music until 2022, when a series of Bach performances changed the course of my life. Read now Gripped by the Infinite Annemarie Wächter How did a young woman who once rejected all claims of absolute truth find her way to faith and a meaningful vocation? Read now
Daily Prayer for April 6
For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. l Corinthians 2:2, RSV Lord our God, Father of us all, bless our community in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ. May your Spirit carry out what we are powerless to do, so that we experience strength and joy, something from eternity, and can face life with all its evil, pain, and suffering. For you have drawn us to yourself, and in spirit, soul, and body we belong to another world, higher than this earthly and passing one. We want to remain true to this higher world, that your praise may come from one heart and from one voice, that the name of Jesus Christ may shine in us and show us the way to all that is true and eternal. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Fidelity in Little Things François Fénelon True love to God thinks nothing small. It acts with simplicity. Read now Year of Wonder Paul J. Pastor Two poems listen keenly to the language of nature’s seasons. Read now Experiencing Bach Zito Madu I had little appreciation for classical music until 2022, when a series of Bach performances changed the course of my life. Read now Gripped by the Infinite Annemarie Wächter How did a young woman who once rejected all claims of absolute truth find her way to faith and a meaningful vocation? Read now The PloughCast 80: The Technology of Middle-Earth Sebastian Milbank, Matthew Scarince and Susannah Black Roberts Matthew Scarince and Sebastian Milbank discuss Tolkien and Technology. Read now
Daily Prayer for April 5
Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:5-8, NIV Dear Father in heaven, we thank you for this day and for all the loving kindness you pour out on us. May we continue to receive your help and your protection. Bless us in whatever we are allowed to do in your service, that it may always be done in love to all people. Watch over us this night and be with us. May your will be done throughout the world, so that at last all confusion may come to an end, Satan’s work may be destroyed, and your children may shout for joy that your will is being done on earth as in heaven. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Experiencing Bach Zito Madu I had little appreciation for classical music until 2022, when a series of Bach performances changed the course of my life. Read now Gripped by the Infinite Annemarie Wächter How did a young woman who once rejected all claims of absolute truth find her way to faith and a meaningful vocation? Read now The PloughCast 80: The Technology of Middle-Earth Sebastian Milbank, Matthew Scarince and Susannah Black Roberts Matthew Scarince and Sebastian Milbank discuss Tolkien and Technology. Read now An Octopus, a Septuagenarian, and a Millennial Amy Parilee Rickards Shelby Van Pelt’s Remarkably Bright Creatures portrays how rich life can be when we nurture meaningful connections with one another. Read now The First Need of the Church John Stott On the evening of the first Easter day, the disciples heard a word of promise. Read now
Daily Prayer for April 3
In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” Isaiah 2:2-3a, NIV Dear Father in heaven, we thank you that we have you and the light of your Spirit, which always gives us new determination for the tasks you ask of us. We thank you that we may live not just in the passing moment but also in eternity, looking with joyful hope to the future meant for us and for all humankind. Keep us in your Spirit, and open to us truth after truth. May we be part of that people who carry a light within them, a light which will show them the way through all the struggles and temptations of life; then each one of us will know day by day that you can help us and everyone on earth to a better life through your Holy Spirit. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Gripped by the Infinite Annemarie Wächter How did a young woman who once rejected all claims of absolute truth find her way to faith and a meaningful vocation? Read now The PloughCast 80: The Technology of Middle-Earth Sebastian Milbank, Matthew Scarince and Susannah Black Roberts Matthew Scarince and Sebastian Milbank discuss Tolkien and Technology. Read now An Octopus, a Septuagenarian, and a Millennial Amy Parilee Rickards Shelby Van Pelt’s Remarkably Bright Creatures portrays how rich life can be when we nurture meaningful connections with one another. Read now The First Need of the Church John Stott On the evening of the first Easter day, the disciples heard a word of promise. Read now Christ Is Victorious Johann Christoph Arnold May the miracle of Easter fill us with hope and love. Read now
Daily Prayer for April 2
Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail. Isaiah 51:6, NIV Lord our God, in you we want to find our strength, in you we want to hold out even in these times. We rejoice that the end is coming, the end you are preparing, when your salvation and justice will come on earth according to your promises. Be with us and with the believing circle given to us through Jesus Christ. Make us alert and give us fresh courage again and again, however difficult life may be. We want to continue to live and find strength in the grace of Jesus Christ, holding on in joy without grumbling and complaining. Lord God, may your name be honored, your kingdom come, and your will be done in us according to your plan. Amen. Recent articles on Plough An Octopus, a Septuagenarian, and a Millennial Amy Parilee Rickards Shelby Van Pelt’s Remarkably Bright Creatures portrays how rich life can be when we nurture meaningful connections with one another. Read now The First Need of the Church John Stott On the evening of the first Easter day, the disciples heard a word of promise. Read now Christ Is Victorious Johann Christoph Arnold May the miracle of Easter fill us with hope and love. Read now The Path from Death to Life Cardinal Kurt Koch Our Christian faith stands or falls on the belief that Christ destroyed death and brought about new life. Read now Calling Upon the Vanished God George MacDonald On Good Friday God withdrew, that the perfect will of the Son might arise and go forth to find the will of the Father. Read now
Daily Prayer for April 1
For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures for ever, and his faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 100:5, RSV Lord God, our Father, we thank you for all the light you give us and for all your loving help in outward things as well. We come into your presence and ask you to give us your light and your constant guidance for the path we must follow. Grant that what is of heaven may be revealed on earth, that we may rejoice in the good and beautiful things you give to all people. Our Father, reveal what is of heaven, and free people from their sin and darkness so that at last they recognize your glory. Strengthen our hope for this goal. Rule and work in the hearts of many people, that through them your glory may be proclaimed to all. Amen. Recent articles on Plough An Octopus, a Septuagenarian, and a Millennial Amy Parilee Rickards Shelby Van Pelt’s Remarkably Bright Creatures portrays how rich life can be when we nurture meaningful connections with one another. Read now The First Need of the Church John Stott On the evening of the first Easter day, the disciples heard a word of promise. Read now Christ Is Victorious Johann Christoph Arnold May the miracle of Easter fill us with hope and love. Read now The Path from Death to Life Cardinal Kurt Koch Our Christian faith stands or falls on the belief that Christ destroyed death and brought about new life. Read now Calling Upon the Vanished God George MacDonald On Good Friday God withdrew, that the perfect will of the Son might arise and go forth to find the will of the Father. Read now
Daily Prayer for March 31
We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. 1 John 5:20, NIV Lord our God, we turn our faces to you and plead with you to come to us earthly and often tormented people. May we find strength in the Lord Jesus Christ, through whom redemption is promised to us all. May your kingdom at last be revealed and everything change for the better even though we do not see it yet. May we always honor your name above all others, for you are our Father and we want to hold fast to your grace that lets us call you Father. In our troubled times we want to have enduring faith that you can bring a new time when good shall at last emerge from all the distress. Grant that every broken and needy person may experience your help, your grace, and your salvation, and may know that these always surround us, if only our eyes are open to see and recognize them. So we want to thank and praise you at all times, and at last know the joy of eternity, to your glory and honor. Amen. Recent articles on Plough The First Need of the Church John Stott On the evening of the first Easter day, the disciples heard a word of promise. Read now Christ Is Victorious Johann Christoph Arnold May the miracle of Easter fill us with hope and love. Read now The Path from Death to Life Cardinal Kurt Koch Our Christian faith stands or falls on the belief that Christ destroyed death and brought about new life. Read now Calling Upon the Vanished God George MacDonald On Good Friday God withdrew, that the perfect will of the Son might arise and go forth to find the will of the Father. Read now Turning Henry Drummond There is something much greater than Peter’s sin: few of us grasp the wonder of his repentance. Read now
Daily Prayer for March 30
We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you. Psalm 33:20–22, NIV Lord God, we thank you for having revealed yourself on this earth in the midst of sin, need, and oppression. We thank you that we can have joy in all you have done both before and since the coming of Jesus Christ, our Savior in everything. To you be praise and thanks. Our hearts leap up with joy in you and in your deeds. Grant that we may be faithful to the end, victorious in all things through your Spirit, who helps and blesses us on our way. Grant your help to all who call to you and who long to rejoice in you. Amen. Recent articles on Plough The Path from Death to Life Cardinal Kurt Koch Our Christian faith stands or falls on the belief that Christ destroyed death and brought about new life. Read now Calling Upon the Vanished God George MacDonald On Good Friday God withdrew, that the perfect will of the Son might arise and go forth to find the will of the Father. Read now Turning Henry Drummond There is something much greater than Peter’s sin: few of us grasp the wonder of his repentance. Read now Serving in the Spirit of Christ François Caudwell Are we serving Jesus as a slave, as a mercenary, or as a friend? Read now Holy Saturday and the Journey to Emmaus Joel Clarkson Josef Rheinberger’s motet “Abendlied” juxtaposes sorrow and joy. Read now
Daily Prayer for March 29
“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” Psalm 91:14-16, NIV Lord our God, dear Father in heaven, we turn our hearts to you, for you know all our need. We turn to you, for you are ready with your help when we are at our wit’s end. You have paths we can follow joyfully because we have a Lord who rules and who reigns over us to make us glad. May we praise your name at all times. May your help be always before our eyes so that we can be your true children, to the glory of your name on earth. Amen. Recent articles on Plough The Path from Death to Life Cardinal Kurt Koch Our Christian faith stands or falls on the belief that Christ destroyed death and brought about new life. Read now Calling Upon the Vanished God George MacDonald On Good Friday God withdrew, that the perfect will of the Son might arise and go forth to find the will of the Father. Read now Turning Henry Drummond There is something much greater than Peter’s sin: few of us grasp the wonder of his repentance. Read now Serving in the Spirit of Christ François Caudwell Are we serving Jesus as a slave, as a mercenary, or as a friend? Read now Holy Saturday and the Journey to Emmaus Joel Clarkson Josef Rheinberger’s motet “Abendlied” juxtaposes sorrow and joy. Read now
Daily Prayer for March 28
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense – Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:1–2, NIV Lord God, we thank you that you have given us atonement, an atonement that delivers us from all evil, from all that is temporal and perishable, and that allows us even now to live in eternity. Grant that many people become aware of the greatness and freeing power of the redemption you have offered us. May a people be born to you, serving you with light in their hearts as they look to the future coming of Jesus Christ. Be with us, strengthen us, and protect us from all the deception on earth. For we want to be your children and nothing else; with our whole hearts we want to look always to you. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Calling Upon the Vanished God George MacDonald On Good Friday God withdrew, that the perfect will of the Son might arise and go forth to find the will of the Father. Read now Turning Henry Drummond There is something much greater than Peter’s sin: few of us grasp the wonder of his repentance. Read now Serving in the Spirit of Christ François Caudwell Are we serving Jesus as a slave, as a mercenary, or as a friend? Read now Holy Saturday and the Journey to Emmaus Joel Clarkson Josef Rheinberger’s motet “Abendlied” juxtaposes sorrow and joy. Read now Beauty for the Least of These Ellie DuHadway A unique depiction of the stations of the cross welcomes guests at the Lamb Center, a ministry to people experiencing homelessness. Read now