Daily Prayer for February 1
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1 John 3:1, NIV Lord our God, we thank you that we may be your children and may be led by your hand. Give us patience and faith, especially when our way on earth seems difficult and life is full of grief and hardship. You are light. You show us the right path. You go before us in the self-denial and patience taught us by your Word. Protect us on all our ways. May your kingdom grow among us until it can be plainly seen that you, O God, are truly with us doing your work and bringing us joy, even though what we do seems fruitless. But your work endures. In your work we rejoice, and we want to give thanks to you every day. Amen. Recent articles on Plough 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 Birds in the Heart of Hell Julio Grotten A Mexican prisoner’s short fiction confronts the monsters and angels of his nightmares. Read now
Daily Prayer for January 31
For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet, till her righteousness shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch. Isaiah 62:1, NIV Lord our God, we worship you, for you come to meet us everywhere and you reveal your glory on our earth. May we become worthy of you, people who can represent you with our whole being. Give us the strength to endure, even through struggles and temptations. Be merciful to us at all times through Jesus Christ our Savior. May we remain body and soul in his hands, that at last we may come to you, our Father in heaven, as your true children, reborn through the Holy Spirit. Amen. Recent articles on Plough 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 Birds in the Heart of Hell Julio Grotten A Mexican prisoner’s short fiction confronts the monsters and angels of his nightmares. Read now Sister Penelope in Expectation Grace Hamman The mysterious friend of C. S. Lewis teaches how to know and be known in Christ. Read now The Leaves of the Tree Jesse Zink The Bible describes a tree with leaves for the healing of the nations. We could sure use such leaves now. Or do we have them already? Read now
Daily Prayer for January 29
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. And these words which I command you this day shall be upon your heart. Deuteronomy 6:4–6, RSV Lord our God, we thank you that every day – through good days and through days that to us seem bad – we know that our lives are guided by your will, what you do and what you want. For this we thank you. We want to love you above everything in the world. Our hearts long for you, for you are our Father. We want to love and honor you with our whole lives. Lord our God, bring your order into the world. Help us at all times to do your will and to fulfill your commandments. Amen. Recent articles on Plough 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 Birds in the Heart of Hell Julio Grotten A Mexican prisoner’s short fiction confronts the monsters and angels of his nightmares. Read now Sister Penelope in Expectation Grace Hamman The mysterious friend of C. S. Lewis teaches how to know and be known in Christ. Read now The Leaves of the Tree Jesse Zink The Bible describes a tree with leaves for the healing of the nations. We could sure use such leaves now. Or do we have them already? Read now Where Is God When We Doubt? Edward Bouverie Pusey Anglican theologian Edward Pusey’s letters offer hope for those plagued by unwanted whisperings of doubt. Read now
Daily Prayer for January 28
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Psalm 32:8, NIV Lord our God, we come into your presence and ask you to help us. Help us in every part of our lives, even when we do not understand. Be with us with your Spirit. Guide and lead us with your hand. Let your will be done in all things, even if we must bear suffering. Your will is for good alone and you will set everything right. Help us. Bless us through your Word, through everything we are allowed to hear from you, our God and our Father. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Birds in the Heart of Hell Julio Grotten A Mexican prisoner’s short fiction confronts the monsters and angels of his nightmares. Read now Sister Penelope in Expectation Grace Hamman The mysterious friend of C. S. Lewis teaches how to know and be known in Christ. Read now The Leaves of the Tree Jesse Zink The Bible describes a tree with leaves for the healing of the nations. We could sure use such leaves now. Or do we have them already? Read now Where Is God When We Doubt? Edward Bouverie Pusey Anglican theologian Edward Pusey’s letters offer hope for those plagued by unwanted whisperings of doubt. Read now Poem: “The Hum of Light” Robert W. Crawford The power lines are down. We’re in the dark, / the victims of a wet, cement-like snow. Read now
Daily Prayer for January 27
My prayer for you is that you may have still more love – a love that is full of knowledge and wise insight. I want you to be able always to recognize the highest and the best, and to live sincere and blameless lives until the day of Christ. I want to see your lives full of true goodness, produced by the power that Jesus Christ gives you to the praise and glory of God. Philippians 1:9–11, (Phillips) Lord our God, we thank you for filling our hearts with such great trust. We thank you for all we are given in our lives, above all that we can come to know Jesus Christ. We thank you that over and over we can draw strength and life from his life. Praise to your name, for our life has a goal and we may find strength and certainty during our time on earth. You will reveal what we hope for, and even now you allow us to keep something of this goal before our eyes. We praise you that your name may become great in our midst and that again and again new life can well up from us, who are poor and weak. May your name be praised for setting this goal before us to strengthen us. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Sister Penelope in Expectation Grace Hamman The mysterious friend of C. S. Lewis teaches how to know and be known in Christ. Read now The Leaves of the Tree Jesse Zink The Bible describes a tree with leaves for the healing of the nations. We could sure use such leaves now. Or do we have them already? Read now Where Is God When We Doubt? Edward Bouverie Pusey Anglican theologian Edward Pusey’s letters offer hope for those plagued by unwanted whisperings of doubt. Read now Poem: “The Hum of Light” Robert W. Crawford The power lines are down. We’re in the dark, / the victims of a wet, cement-like snow. Read now Religious Persecution in the World’s Largest Democracy Jetti A. Oliver Attacks on churches and mosques are only one symptom of the Hindu nationalism gripping India. Read now
Daily Prayer for January 26
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. Psalm 145:18-19, NIV Dear Father in heaven, Almighty God, your children look to you in prayer. Hold us always by the hand. Reveal to us that you hear us, that you are among us providing what is best for us, to the glory of your name. In this hour let us experience something from you, the good and merciful One. May we always be glad and thankful for all we have already received from you and for all we are still to receive in our lives. Amen. Recent articles on Plough The Leaves of the Tree Jesse Zink The Bible describes a tree with leaves for the healing of the nations. We could sure use such leaves now. Or do we have them already? Read now Where Is God When We Doubt? Edward Bouverie Pusey Anglican theologian Edward Pusey’s letters offer hope for those plagued by unwanted whisperings of doubt. Read now Poem: “The Hum of Light” Robert W. Crawford The power lines are down. We’re in the dark, / the victims of a wet, cement-like snow. Read now Religious Persecution in the World’s Largest Democracy Jetti A. Oliver Attacks on churches and mosques are only one symptom of the Hindu nationalism gripping India. Read now Life without Magic James Smoker In H. G. Parry’s novel The Magician’s Daughter, a sixteen-year-old chooses to leave a magical island for the the wider world. Read now
Daily Prayer for January 25
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16, NIV Lord our God, O God of righteousness, let your light shine out. Go with us on our way. May we have clear eyes and hearts through your Word and your Spirit. Through temptations and struggles be always with us, lighting our way to what is right and good. Protect and bless us. Move our hearts from their very depths to thank you for all you have done for us, to praise you, and to glorify you. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Where Is God When We Doubt? Edward Bouverie Pusey Anglican theologian Edward Pusey’s letters offer hope for those plagued by unwanted whisperings of doubt. Read now Poem: “The Hum of Light” Robert W. Crawford The power lines are down. We’re in the dark, / the victims of a wet, cement-like snow. Read now Religious Persecution in the World’s Largest Democracy Jetti A. Oliver Attacks on churches and mosques are only one symptom of the Hindu nationalism gripping India. Read now Life without Magic James Smoker In H. G. Parry’s novel The Magician’s Daughter, a sixteen-year-old chooses to leave a magical island for the the wider world. Read now Sobriety Mountain Jaime N. Green Mind the false summit: when you think you’ve all but conquered, you’ve only just begun. Read now
Daily Prayer for January 24
I have not spoken in secret or kept my purpose hidden. I did not require the people of Israel to look for me in a desolate waste. I am the Lord, and I speak the truth; I make known what is right. Isaiah 45:19, TEV Lord our God, we thank you for giving us your love, for letting us draw nearer to what is right and good. May your Spirit penetrate everywhere, overcoming what is false and helping people everywhere to understand the true nature of your justice. Guard us on all our ways. Protect us when our bodies and our lives are worn down by sickness and distress of every kind. Grant us your help according to your truth and righteousness. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Poem: “The Hum of Light” Robert W. Crawford The power lines are down. We’re in the dark, / the victims of a wet, cement-like snow. Read now Religious Persecution in the World’s Largest Democracy Jetti A. Oliver Attacks on churches and mosques are only one symptom of the Hindu nationalism gripping India. Read now Life without Magic James Smoker In H. G. Parry’s novel The Magician’s Daughter, a sixteen-year-old chooses to leave a magical island for the the wider world. Read now Sobriety Mountain Jaime N. Green Mind the false summit: when you think you’ve all but conquered, you’ve only just begun. Read now The Jakob Hutter Story Jason Landsel, Sankha Banerjee and Richard Mommsen In this excerpt from By Fire, a radical reformer risks everything for a cause. Read now
Daily Prayer for January 23
The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all…Praise the Lord, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the Lord, my soul. Psalm 103:19, 22, NIV Dear Father in heaven,we thank you for giving our hearts hope for your kingdom, the kingdom of God. We thank you that again and again we may draw strength from this hope, find new youthfulness and courage, and discover how powerfully, though hidden, your kingdom is already approaching. Protect this vision and help us when we fail. All will come right. Whatever happens, we are in your hands, and no one shall snatch this joy from our hearts. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Life Without Magic James Smoker In H. G. Parry’s novel The Magician’s Daughter, a sixteen-year-old chooses to leave a magical island for the the wider world. Read now Sobriety Mountain Jaime N. Green Mind the false summit: when you think you’ve all but conquered, you’ve only just begun. Read now The Jakob Hutter Story Jason Landsel, Sankha Banerjee and Richard Mommsen In this excerpt from By Fire, a radical reformer risks everything for a cause. Read now Iron Sharpens Iron Johann H. Huleatt Real friendship is the most powerful education. Read now Where Is the Kingdom of Heaven? Dorothy L. Sayers Jesus said the kingdom of heaven is among us, or even within us. Why, then, does it remain so elusive? Read now
Daily Prayer for January 22
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and l will give you rest. Matthew 11:28, RSV Dear Father in heaven, grant us the inner quiet we need so that we may come into your presence and hear you speak, forgetting all the things that try to force themselves upon us. May we experience your true and living support. Keep our hearts glad and thankful for everything, even in grief, anxiety, and suffering. In this thankfulness we can remain with you, and Jesus Christ can help us, Jesus, whom you have given as our support and helper in all that most deeply concerns us. We entrust ourselves to you. Keep us in your Spirit. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Sobriety Mountain Jaime N. Green Mind the false summit: when you think you’ve all but conquered, you’ve only just begun. Read now The Jakob Hutter Story Jason Landsel, Sankha Banerjee and Richard Mommsen In this excerpt from By Fire, a radical reformer risks everything for a cause. Read now Iron Sharpens Iron Johann H. Huleatt Real friendship is the most powerful education. Read now Where Is the Kingdom of Heaven? Dorothy L. Sayers Jesus said the kingdom of heaven is among us, or even within us. Why, then, does it remain so elusive? Read now Lernvergnügenstag: A Day for the Joy of Learning Patrick Tomassi Once a year, I get to teach my students whatever inspires me. Read now