Daily Prayer for February 11
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. John 16:13, NIV Dear Father in heaven, grant your Spirit to us, your children. May something from you be revealed on earth so that divine strength and divine truth, not what is only human, are with us in all we do. Keep courage alive in our hearts even when things look dark. May powers of peace and healing be revealed through us because you are near and your kingdom is all around us. You can do all things, also things beyond our understanding. With your help we do what we are able, but we cannot do what you do. We trust in you, and we believe that through your power and your Spirit you will take possession of our whole lives and the lives of the many who sigh in their hearts for absolute truth. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Feeding a Community Using Regenerative Agricultural Jeff King A Bruderhof farmer grows vegetables using sustainable practices. Read now Edward Hicks: Pacifist Patriot Cody Cook An early American artist reconciled his Quaker convictions with the promising ideals of a new nation. Read now My Own Personal Desert Jeannie Rose Barksdale Should I pull an Antony: drop my kids off with the nuns and head to a desert to seek sanctification in solitude? Read now The End of the World Is Joy Nikolai Berdyaev The thought of the end must be grasped not in a passive and negative attitude of mind but creatively and positively. Read now Timber Framing with Teenagers Clem Robertshaw Why a history teacher believes in training students to use hand tools. Read now
Daily Prayer for February 10
In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: We have a strong city; God makes salvation its walls and ramparts…Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal. Isaiah 26:1-4, NIV Lord our God, help us find the path that we may walk with confidence because you are our Father. Banish all thoughts that try to depress us. Let your Spirit drive them away. May our hearts become quiet before you, because you, the Almighty, guide everything for the good of people on earth. Everything will lead to thanksgiving, to your praise and glory. Be with us at all times, day and night. May our hearts always exult afresh, rejoicing in you, our God and our Savior. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Edward Hicks: Pacifist Patriot Cody Cook An early American artist reconciled his Quaker convictions with the promising ideals of a new nation. Read now My Own Personal Desert Jeannie Rose Barksdale Should I pull an Antony: drop my kids off with the nuns and head to a desert to seek sanctification in solitude? Read now The End of the World Is Joy Nikolai Berdyaev The thought of the end must be grasped not in a passive and negative attitude of mind but creatively and positively. Read now Timber Framing with Teenagers Clem Robertshaw Why a history teacher believes in training students to use hand tools. Read now Brother Roger of Taizé Ben Cribbin He devoted his life to reconciliation and drew in thousands who otherwise might have abandoned church. His journals show it wasn’t always easy. Read now
Daily Prayer for February 9
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, who abides in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:1–2, RSV Lord our God, we come into your presence, for you are our certainty, our refuge, especially in these times when so much is happening to grieve and trouble us. You are our God and our Savior today and for all time. You have always been our Savior and helper, and you will remain our Savior and helper forever. We praise you and glorify your name. Give a new spirit in our day, we pray, new help through the gospel brought by Jesus Christ. May your name be kept holy, your kingdom come, and your will be done on earth as in heaven. Amen. Recent articles on Plough My Own Personal Desert Jeannie Rose Barksdale Should I pull an Antony: drop my kids off with the nuns and head to a desert to seek sanctification in solitude? Read now The End of the World Is Joy Nikolai Berdyaev The thought of the end must be grasped not in a passive and negative attitude of mind but creatively and positively. Read now Timber Framing with Teenagers Clem Robertshaw Why a history teacher believes in training students to use hand tools. Read now Brother Roger of Taizé Ben Cribbin He devoted his life to reconciliation and drew in thousands who otherwise might have abandoned church. His journals show it wasn’t always easy. Read now Obstacles to Christian Community Eberhard Arnold What are the biggest obstacles to community? And how can they be overcome? Read now
Daily Prayer for February 8
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Romans 8:14-16, NIV Dear Father in heaven, you are among us and we can call you Abba, dear Father. In the joy of being your children we want to lay our lives into your hands to be made good and happy. Care for us like a shepherd pasturing his flock so that we can have community with one another. Help us to realize that you have many children here and everywhere, and that again and again you take a child by the hand saying, “You are mine. I am caring for you.” We thank you that your eyes watch over all the world. We thank you that your rule is over all humankind and will bring good to all people, wherever they may live. May this happen soon through our Savior. We call to him, “Lord Jesus, come. Come soon! May your hand keep us all close to the Father in heaven.” Amen. Recent articles on Plough The End of the World Is Joy Nikolai Berdyaev The thought of the end must be grasped not in a passive and negative attitude of mind but creatively and positively. Read now Timber Framing with Teenagers Clem Robertshaw Why a history teacher believes in training students to use hand tools. Read now Brother Roger of Taizé Ben Cribbin He devoted his life to reconciliation and drew in thousands who otherwise might have abandoned church. His journals show it wasn’t always easy. Read now Obstacles to Christian Community Eberhard Arnold What are the biggest obstacles to community? And how can they be overcome? Read now God Made Us Curious Sally Clarkson As a precocious child, I vowed that when I became a teacher I would never stifle my students’ curiosity and enthusiasm. Read now
Daily Prayer for February 7
But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13b-14, NIV Dear Father in heaven, living source of all that is eternal in us, we come to you and plead with you to strengthen the gifts you have given us. Grant us the light of life in which we can walk in spite of the many burdens and uncertainties of our earthly life. Protect us from deception and disappointment. Strengthen our hope for your steadfast, firm, and eternal rule in us, in many others, and finally in all people. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Timber Framing with Teenagers Clem Robertshaw Why a history teacher believes in training students to use hand tools. Read now Brother Roger of Taizé Ben Cribbin He devoted his life to reconciliation and drew in thousands who otherwise might have abandoned church. His journals show it wasn’t always easy. Read now Obstacles to Christian Community Eberhard Arnold What are the biggest obstacles to community? And how can they be overcome? Read now God Made Us Curious Sally Clarkson As a precocious child, I vowed that when I became a teacher I would never stifle my students’ curiosity and enthusiasm. Read now The Anabaptist Community Bible Bonnie Kristian The Anabaptist Community Bible project marks Anabaptism’s 500th anniversary, once again gathering Christians to discuss what the Scriptures demand. Read now
Daily Prayer for February 6
I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul. Psalm 31:7, NIV Dear Father in heaven, we come before your presence with thanksgiving and rejoice that you are with us on earth. Even though we have many struggles and temptations and even though problems crowd in upon us, we know that we are in your hands and that everything must go according to your will. Hold us securely in your hand. Help us to bear all that we find hard, for we know you are in control and you lead everything to a good end. The darker and more difficult it may seem, the more clearly your hand will reveal the victory in those whose lives are founded in eternity, whose lives cannot end in sorrow but will end in your glory. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Brother Roger of Taizé Ben Cribbin He devoted his life to reconciliation and drew in thousands who otherwise might have abandoned church. His journals show it wasn’t always easy. Read now Obstacles to Christian Community Eberhard Arnold What are the biggest obstacles to community? And how can they be overcome? Read now God Made Us Curious Sally Clarkson As a precocious child, I vowed that when I became a teacher I would never stifle my students’ curiosity and enthusiasm. Read now The Anabaptist Community Bible Bonnie Kristian The Anabaptist Community Bible project marks Anabaptism’s 500th anniversary, once again gathering Christians to discuss what the Scriptures demand. Read now Warning: The Bible Is Not Just a Book Alastair Roberts You can’t read the Bible like a novel. It’s not just words on a page. Read now
Daily Prayer for February 5
I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. Psalm 9:1–2, NIV Lord our God, keep us in your Spirit. Surround us with your protection, so that in body and soul we may praise your might and be joyful even in a world full of evil. Shine into our hearts, that we may discern what is right and good and eternal. May you do more than we can ask or understand for those who still walk in darkness far away from you. May your eternal mercy enfold them, and may the earth be filled with thanks to you, the Creator and Father of us all. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Obstacles to Christian Community Eberhard Arnold What are the biggest obstacles to community? And how can they be overcome? Read now God Made Us Curious Sally Clarkson As a precocious child, I vowed that when I became a teacher I would never stifle my students’ curiosity and enthusiasm. Read now The Anabaptist Community Bible Bonnie Kristian The Anabaptist Community Bible project marks Anabaptism’s 500th anniversary, once again gathering Christians to discuss what the Scriptures demand. Read now Warning: The Bible Is Not Just a Book Alastair Roberts You can’t read the Bible like a novel. It’s not just words on a page. Read now Meditation on the Lord’s Prayer Alfred Delp Humans must have something holy to worship, or we find substitutes far more autocratic and demanding than the living God himself. Read now
Daily Prayer for February 4
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.” John 14:6, RSV Lord our God, help us who have listened in the name of Jesus Christ and heard the good tidings. Help us come with our whole hearts to the Savior, who leads us into your arms. Hear our pleading and let your countenance shine over the world. Let a new age come soon. Send your salvation into the world to the glory of your name, so that the truth we have learned about you becomes a reality in our hearts and our whole life can be genuine, rooted in the truth, leading us into heaven, to the honor of your name. Hear us, O Lord our God. We entrust ourselves and our daily lives to you. We want to be faithful. Help us to be your children, mindful at every step that we belong to you. Amen. Recent articles on Plough God Made Us Curious Sally Clarkson As a precocious child, I vowed that when I became a teacher I would never stifle my students’ curiosity and enthusiasm. Read now The Anabaptist Community Bible Bonnie Kristian The Anabaptist Community Bible project marks Anabaptism’s 500th anniversary, once again gathering Christians to discuss what the Scriptures demand. Read now Warning: The Bible Is Not Just a Book Alastair Roberts You can’t read the Bible like a novel. It’s not just words on a page. Read now Meditation on the Lord’s Prayer Alfred Delp Humans must have something holy to worship, or we find substitutes far more autocratic and demanding than the living God himself. Read now Claiming Groundhog Day Clare Coffey There are people who see in every popular celebration a creeping paganism. They’d be wrong about this one. Read now
Daily Prayer for February 3
So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. Galatians 3:26-27, NIV Dear Father in heaven, we may come to you, for you have counted us as your children. Our hearts long to come to you, our God and Savior. May your Word bless us and restore us. Give us courageous hearts to bear the distress of our times. Let a light arise in our days so that people care about your will. Then the need on earth shall come to an end, your name shall be honored, and your will be done. Lord God, you alone are our help. Be merciful to us. Stretch out your hand so that all people may turn to you and to your commandments, and your will may be done on earth. Amen. Recent articles on Plough The Anabaptist Community Bible Bonnie Kristian The Anabaptist Community Bible project marks Anabaptism’s 500th anniversary, once again gathering Christians to discuss what the Scriptures demand. Read now Warning: The Bible Is Not Just a Book Alastair Roberts You can’t read the Bible like a novel. It’s not just words on a page. Read now Meditation on the Lord’s Prayer Alfred Delp Humans must have something holy to worship, or we find substitutes far more autocratic and demanding than the living God himself. Read now Claiming Groundhog Day Clare Coffey There are people who see in every popular celebration a creeping paganism. They’d be wrong about this one. Read now Experiencing the Divine, and the Mundane, at Church Heidie Senseman A Sunday service is a rich mixture of the holy and the human. Read now
Daily Prayer for February 2
And those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. Isaiah 35:10 NIV Dear Father in heaven, we thank you that you lead us on all our paths. Together we praise your name. We plead with you, stay with us, especially when the world grows darker. Stay with us and send down your power. Send your power in answer to our prayers. For all people we pray, “Father in heaven, these are our brothers and sisters in spite of their failures and sins.” Help them, O God. May they soon come to recognize who you are, what you do, and what you will still do, so that the whole world can be joyful and all people on earth may know the blessing of being your children. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Warning: The Bible Is Not Just a Book Alastair Roberts You can’t read the Bible like a novel. It’s not just words on a page. Read now Meditation on the Lord’s Prayer Alfred Delp Humans must have something holy to worship, or we find substitutes far more autocratic and demanding than the living God himself. Read now Claiming Groundhog Day Clare Coffey There are people who see in every popular celebration a creeping paganism. They’d be wrong about this one. Read now Experiencing the Divine, and the Mundane, at Church Heidie Senseman A Sunday service is a rich mixture of the holy and the human. Read now Perfectly Human Sarah C. Williams My daughter Cerian’s life ended an hour before she was born. She taught me so much about beauty, worth, and the gift of being. Read now