Daily Prayer for October 8
Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. 2 Peter 3:17–18, NIV Lord our God, we thank you for giving us a strong fortress in Jesus, the only Lord, with whom we can oppose the whole raging, hateful, lawless, and cruel world. Come what may, we want to hold high the banner of Jesus Christ. In him we want to wait for the time when your mighty deeds will fully establish your kingdom for all nations on earth. You are our God and our Father. Protect us, and give light to our hearts so that we can always be joyful and can hope in you forevermore. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Tiny House Living Stephanie Ebert I learned a few things from my attempt at the simple life in a tiny hand-built home for three, then four… Read now An American Mother Forgives Sharla Moody In American Mother, Diane Foley recounts her journey to forgive her son’s killers. Read now Paraguayans Don’t Read Santiago Ramos In a dictatorship, literature nurtures freedom. In a democracy, does it matter? Read now What Is the Narrow Gate? Eduard Thurneysen Jesus spoke of a narrow gate that few find, but what is that way? Read now Jakob Hutter, Radical Reformer Emmy Barth Maendel and Susannah Black Roberts In just three short years, the sixteenth-century martyr founded a church that has endured to this day. Read now
Daily Prayer for October 7
I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me – just as the Father knows me and I know the Father – and I lay down my life for the sheep. John 10:14–15, NIV Dear Father in heaven, we thank you that your voice reaches our hearts and that we can say with joy, “We belong to you. We too are yours.” We want to lead lives that show we belong to you, never allowing ourselves to be sidetracked, never again giving way to pettiness, always drawing strength from the power of Jesus Christ. Protect our household. Watch over each of us. Protect us all on our way. O mighty God, be with us in the many dangers that surround us, and grant that we may always be joyful because our names are recorded in heaven. Amen. Recent articles on Plough An American Mother Forgives Sharla Moody In American Mother, Diane Foley recounts her journey to forgive her son’s killers. Read now Paraguayans Don’t Read Santiago Ramos In a dictatorship, literature nurtures freedom. In a democracy, does it matter? Read now What Is the Narrow Gate? Eduard Thurneysen Jesus spoke of a narrow gate that few find, but what is that way? Read now Jakob Hutter, Radical Reformer Emmy Barth Maendel and Susannah Black Roberts In just three short years, the sixteenth-century martyr founded a church that has endured to this day. Read now Lessons in Crying Wendy Kiyomi Often I just can’t stop crying in public. Science and the Bible suggest that may be OK. Read now
Daily Prayer for October 6
Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them. John 17:25–26, NIV Lord our God, our Father, give us your Spirit, we pray, for you have ruled over us at all times and loved us with a love that guides and leads us, that helps us go forward in body and soul. Reveal your hand. Grant that we undertake nothing in human strength; may everything come from you for each one whose heart holds true to you and who does the work intended for him. Then everything we do on earth can be a service to you. Protect us through your great goodness and faithfulness, which have been with us to this day and will go with us into the future. Amen. Recent articles on Plough What Is the Narrow Gate? Eduard Thurneysen Jesus spoke of a narrow gate that few find, but what is that way? Read now Jakob Hutter, Radical Reformer Emmy Barth Maendel and Susannah Black Roberts In just three short years, the sixteenth-century martyr founded a church that has endured to this day. Read now Lessons in Crying Wendy Kiyomi Often I just can’t stop crying in public. Science and the Bible suggest that may be OK. Read now What Are Prophets For Abraham Joshua Heschel God is raging in the prophets’ words. Read now An Exodus From China Pan Yongguang A persecuted house church chooses to flee together as a community. Read now
Daily Prayer for October 5
He says: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” Isaiah 49:6, NIV Mighty God, we thank you for sending your light into all the world to reveal that you are the Father of all, to show us that you are leading them to yourself, the good and the bad, those who are near to you and those who are far away. We thank you that through all this your name may be acknowledged and honored. We thank you that we may live from your hand and that everyone may see your work on earth and be filled with praise. May the light which you have sent to earth in Jesus Christ shine brightly for us and penetrate our hearts so that we open ourselves to it with joy, and worship the Savior. Bless us and give us your Spirit; without your Spirit we can do nothing. May we receive help from you every day. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Jakob Hutter, Radical Reformer Emmy Barth Maendel and Susannah Black Roberts In just three short years, the sixteenth-century martyr founded a church that has endured to this day. Read now Lessons in Crying Wendy Kiyomi Often I just can’t stop crying in public. Science and the Bible suggest that may be OK. Read now What Are Prophets For Abraham Joshua Heschel God is raging in the prophets’ words. Read now An Exodus From China Pan Yongguang A persecuted house church chooses to flee together as a community. Read now Jane Eyre Holds Her Own Karen Swallow Prior Charlotte Bronte’s character still has much to teach us about free will. Read now
Daily Prayer for October 4
He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”). At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly. Mark 7:34–35, NIV Father in heaven, we people on earth are poor and needy. We are deaf and dumb, but you rouse us every day and call to us, “Ephphatha.” We thank you for this, in gladness for all you do for our sake. Help us to become united in expectation for the great day when our Lord Jesus Christ will come, when before all people he will be proved your Son, the Savior in whom you, the Almighty, come to meet us. Through him you say again, “Let there be light! Let there be life! Let life break free from the darkness of death so that Jesus may come as the Savior of all, the Savior even of those who are still in deepest darkness.” Praise to your name, O Father in heaven. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Lessons in Crying Wendy Kiyomi Often I just can’t stop crying in public. Science and the Bible suggest that may be OK. Read now What Are Prophets For Abraham Joshua Heschel God is raging in the prophets’ words. Read now An Exodus From China Pan Yongguang A persecuted house church chooses to flee together as a community. Read now Jane Eyre Holds Her Own Karen Swallow Prior Charlotte Bronte’s character still has much to teach us about free will. Read now The Autonomy Trap James R. Wood Is commitment just for suckers? A conversion story. Read now
Daily Prayer for October 2
In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. Psalm 31:1–2, NIV Lord our God, give us your Spirit, we beseech you, that we may find your paths on earth and live in the hope and certainty that everything is in your hands, even when we see much that is unjust and evil. May we remain under your protection, living by your commandments and in your Spirit. For your Spirit witnesses to the truth and longs to change and lift up our lives. Your Spirit longs to reach all people who have felt your touch, longs that they may come to you and have life. Amen. Recent articles on Plough What Are Prophets For Abraham Joshua Heschel God is raging in the prophets’ words. Read now An Exodus From China Pan Yongguang A persecuted house church chooses to flee together as a community. Read now Jane Eyre Holds Her Own Karen Swallow Prior Charlotte Bronte’s character still has much to teach us about free will. Read now The Autonomy Trap James R. Wood Is commitment just for suckers? A conversion story. Read now Yearning for Freedom Augustine of Hippo, Dorothee Soelle, Hans Scholl and Oscar Romero Four thinkers across the centuries reckon with Christian freedom. Read now
Daily Prayer for October 1
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer…Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Romans 12:12,15, NIV Lord our God, we thank you for your gospel, the great, good tidings we may carry in our hearts to give us joy in this present time, even though on all sides people are in anguish and agony. We thank you that your gospel fills our hearts with compassion, enabling us to help carry what many have to suffer. Show us our need of you so that we can receive your help. If we must be the first to suffer all kinds of pain and distress, may we do so joyfully because we have been promised blessing in the midst of all the pain. May we continually honor your name, praising you for the good news of your kingdom, for the promise that everything must work together for good through Jesus Christ the Savior. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Jane Eyre Holds Her Own Karen Swallow Prior Charlotte Bronte’s character still has much to teach us about free will. Read now The Autonomy Trap James R. Wood Is commitment just for suckers? A conversion story. Read now Yearning for Freedom Augustine of Hippo, Dorothee Soelle, Hans Scholl and Oscar Romero Four thinkers across the centuries reckon with Christian freedom. Read now Taking Lifelong Vows Dori Moody Poverty, chastity, and obedience bring a different kind of freedom. Read now Become Slaves to One Another John M. G. Barclay Paul’s letters probe the paradox of freedom through love. Read now
Daily Prayer for September 30
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33, NIV Dear Father in heaven, in the world we are full of fear; in you we have peace. We pray that your Spirit may give us the joy of your heavenly kingdom and the strength to live in your service. Remember those who suffer pain, who still have to walk paths of fear and distress. Grant them help, to the glory of your name. May we be united in hope and in expectation of what you will give through your great goodness and faithfulness. Amen. Recent articles on Plough The Autonomy Trap James R. Wood Is commitment just for suckers? A conversion story. Read now Yearning for Freedom Augustine of Hippo, Dorothee Soelle, Hans Scholl and Oscar Romero Four thinkers across the centuries reckon with Christian freedom. Read now Taking Lifelong Vows Dori Moody Poverty, chastity, and obedience bring a different kind of freedom. Read now Become Slaves to One Another John M. G. Barclay Paul’s letters probe the paradox of freedom through love. Read now Militant Peacemaking Stanley Hauerwas Pacifism is unrealistic – unless it’s conformed to Christ. Read now
Daily Prayer for September 28
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story – those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south. Psalm 107:1–3, NIV Lord our God and our Father, we thank you for all the blessings you have brought into our lives and for everything we still hope to receive from your goodness. We thank you that through your Spirit you will work more and more in us and in all people, so that we are not held back by any human considerations but can go toward a higher goal. Keep us in your care. In all our special concerns may each of us experience your comfort and help, so that we may rejoice with the praise of your name always in our hearts. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Taking Lifelong Vows Dori Moody Poverty, chastity, and obedience bring a different kind of freedom. Read now Become Slaves to One Another John M. G. Barclay Paul’s letters probe the paradox of freedom through love. Read now Militant Peacemaking Stanley Hauerwas Pacifism is unrealistic – unless it’s conformed to Christ. Read now We Are All Fiddlers on the Roof Joy Marie Clarkson Sixty years on, what can a classic musical teach us about tradition? Read now Caught in the Crossfire Tommy Greenan These excerpts from a priest’s diary vividly recount his encounters with villagers during the war in El Salvador. Read now
Daily Prayer for September 26
Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20, RSV Lord our God, we are your children, who come before you and stand in your presence. Be with us and be our light in all situations of life, in all hardships and grief. Be our light, as you have always been. Reveal your power so that the world may know you as we have come to know you. Give us joyful readiness to persevere until your day comes, for the brightness of your day will shine through all darkness and will end all evil, to the glory of your name. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Become Slaves to One Another John M. G. Barclay Paul’s letters probe the paradox of freedom through love. Read now Militant Peacemaking Stanley Hauerwas Pacifism is unrealistic – unless it’s conformed to Christ. Read now We Are All Fiddlers on the Roof Joy Marie Clarkson Sixty years on, what can a classic musical teach us about tradition? Read now Caught in the Crossfire Tommy Greenan These excerpts from a priest’s diary vividly recount his encounters with villagers during the war in El Salvador. Read now The Stay-at-Home Intellectual Mom Beatrice Scudeler Can a stay-at-home parent still pursue the intellectual life? Read now