Daily Prayer for February 14
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:1-5, NIV Lord our God, keep us in the grace that is ours through Jesus Christ. Uphold others also in this grace. Reveal yourself everywhere to those who trust in you and who await your kingdom. May your blessing be on our household. We thank you for helping us, and with your help we want to be faithful to you. Then when hardships come, we can be certain of your presence. We know and trust you. We know and trust the Savior, and we know and trust the Holy Spirit, in whom we can have community and be strengthened to serve your glory. Amen. Recent articles on Plough For the Love of Public School Teaching Anthony Garces-Foley An immigrant educator tells why he chose to teach underprivileged children. Read now Things Literature and Art Help Us See Joshua Hren As Dostoyevsky learned firsthand, a firing squad can make you think about what really matters. Can a novel or a painting? Read now With the Zabbaleens of Mokattam Village Martin Mosebach and Alta L. Price A visitor finds Christianity thriving on a garbage dump outside of Cairo. Read now Feeding a Community Using Regenerative Agriculture 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
Daily Prayer for February 13
Take all that shall be brought upon thee: and in thy sorrow endure, and in thy humiliation keep patience. For gold and silver are tried in the fire, but acceptable men in the furnace of humiliation. Sirach 2:4-5, DRA Lord our God, we thank you for helping us again and again. Praised be your name for all you do for us and for all your help in many dangers and hardships! We trust you completely and have faith in you through Jesus Christ, the Savior. He reveals your grace everywhere, in every hardship, giving us the courage and freedom to look toward your kingdom. Help us remain courageous when we have to face suffering, for we want to be your disciples in Jesus Christ, the Crucified One. He has made suffering holy, that our suffering too may bear fruit for you in time and in eternity. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Things Literature and Art Help Us See Joshua Hren As Dostoyevsky learned firsthand, a firing squad can make you think about what really matters. Can a novel or a painting? Read now With the Zabbaleens of Mokattam Village Martin Mosebach and Alta L. Price A visitor finds Christianity thriving on a garbage dump outside of Cairo. Read now Feeding a Community Using Regenerative Agriculture 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
Daily Prayer for February 12
Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. Luke 10:20, RSV Dear Father in heaven, we thank you with all our hearts for showing your power in us and for overcoming so much that is hostile and that threatens to harm our life. We thank you for the countless wonders you do for our sake. We rejoice and thank you most of all for allowing us to know that you are writing our names in heaven. Where our names are, there we are too. Where our Lord Jesus Christ is, there we want to be too, and our words and our actions should come from him. Keep us faithful in this, and let us serve you with gladness on every path we tread. Amen. Recent articles on Plough With the Zabbaleens of Mokattam Village Martin Mosebach A visitor finds Christianity thriving on a garbage dump outside of Cairo. Read now Feeding a Community Using Regenerative Agriculture 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
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