Daily Prayer for December 8
And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth? Luke 18:7– 8, NIV Father in heaven, we surrender ourselves to your love, the love in which Christ comes to us. Like children we say every day to the Lord Jesus himself, “Lord Jesus, come, come! Even if we cannot see you today because times have changed, come into the world, come more and more into world history. Send more and more of your nature, your goodness, into all hearts. Come at last, come quickly to bring an end to the adversary, an end to world power with its sinister, hostile character. May bright day, clear light from the Father in heaven, dawn through you, Lord Jesus. Yes, come, Lord Jesus!” Amen. Recent articles on Plough Humans Aren’t the Only Pebble on the Cosmic Beach Alison Milbank and Joy Marie Clarkson Joy and Alison discuss the importance of angels and why parishes are good. Read now Seeing Our Way to Humanity Coretta Thomson Through the weeds, Frederick Franck’s sculpture park Pacem in Terris still speaks. Read now Unanswered Prayers in Ukraine Taras Dyatlik During another Advent in wartime, a Ukrainian pastor wrestles with the silence of heaven. Read now A Christmas Song for the Ages Chris Zimmerman With its tone of reverent awe, Max Bruch’s “In der Christnacht” captures the essence of Holy Night without mistletoe or even shepherds and kings. Read now Can Beauty and Justice Meet in Architecture? Kelly W. Foster An architect feels forced to choose between beauty for the rich and justice for the poor. A tuberculosis sanatorium shows him he doesn’t have to. Read now
Today’s Verse – Philippians 2:9
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name… —Philippians 2:9 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… For Jesus, the formula for saving grace was tough! graciousness + faithfulness + sacrifice + suffering = True Glory Yes, salvation’s math doesn’t make much human sense in our selfish, self-promoting world. However, from the perspective of faith, salvation’s math is powerful wisdom. Jesus came to our world because of God’s graciousness. Jesus was faithful and left heaven to face the hardships of humanity. The LORD was willing to sacrifice himself to serve all humanity, even though it required his suffering and humiliation on the cross. Because he faithfully lived salvation’s math, the Father crowned the Son with all glory and honor, which has been rightfully his since before creation. The apostle Paul reminds us in this passage (Philippians 2:5-11) that God doesn’t forget our sacrifices, hardships, persecutions, or service. He honors them with his pleasure and glory because people who choose this way walk the path of their LORD, Jesus, as they live with others. My Prayer… Holy Father and LORD God, I believe that Jesus Christ is your Son, my Savior and LORD. I surrender my heart and want to have no rival to the lordship of your Son in my life. I want to serve and bless his disciples as he served and blessed me. I want to live my life passionately, as I seek to reach the lost people of my world. Continue to mold my heart and mind to be more like Jesus. I pray this to honor him in thought, word, and deed. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Philippians 2:5, 7-8
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who… made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! —Philippians 2:5, 7-8 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Christianity is not for wimps or the faint-hearted. Our example, Jesus, “made himself nothing… taking the very nature of a servant… humbled himself… and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!” That’s tough stuff. What’s more, he is our example of how to live and sacrifice for others. The story of Jesus may begin with a sweet child, a tender virgin girl, and a loving, strong man who protected them. However, it also starts with his crib being the trough where animals ate their food, while an evil king was plotting to murder him. The birth stories of Jesus are precious and powerful. They are not, however, saccharine-sweet fake sentiment. Jesus’ way of life is about servants who are willing to pay the price to redeem the ungrateful and undeserving, and disciples who are different because they know their Redeemer and are determined to become like their Teacher, Savior, and Lord (Luke 6:40). My Prayer… Almighty God, loving Father, thank you for placing the gospel story in the real world where I live. Jesus, thank you for being a Savior who has come into my world and faced its toughest edges and worst ugliness. Help me, please, as I learn to be sacrificial, obedient, redemptive, and humble so that I can be used to help others find your grace. I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Philippians 2:5-6
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped… —Philippians 2:5-6 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Jesus did not cling to his heavenly glory but surrendered it to save us. He was born in a stable, made his first bed in a manger, and was welcomed to this world by lowly shepherds. His adoptive dad, Joseph, had to flee to Egypt with Mary to protect young Jesus. The LORD made his boyhood home in despised Nazareth, apprenticing in Joseph’s carpenter’s shop. Paul uses Jesus’ surrender of his heavenly glory as an example for us. Paul, God’s apostle to the nations, expended his human energy so Jesus would come alive in those who followed Jesus as LORD (Colossians 1:28-29). He reminded all disciples to focus on Jesus, to obey his teaching, and to follow his example. As we do, the Holy Spirit transforms us, with increasing likeness, into our Savior’s sacrificial character. Now, we must serve each other as Jesus served. We must think of others’ needs before our own comfort, preferences, and rights. Jesus’ incarnation, ministry, crucifixion, burial, and resurrection were revolutionary. Now it is our turn to join the revolution and turn our fallen world upside down – a revolution we give our lives to help come to pass! Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… O Father, please mold me through the transforming power of your Holy Spirit as I pursue becoming more JESUShaped. May my thoughts be JESUShaped thoughts. May my heart’s desire reflect the passions of the Son. In Jesus’ name, I choose to relinquish my sense of self-importance to serve others as Jesus did. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
05 Dec 2025
We have the benefit of serving Jehovah, the King of kings and the Lord of lords. He is mighty. I love reading various portions of scripture that describe His greatness. They help me partly visualize how majestic He is. Isaiah 40:10-14. Verse 18-20 describe the futility of making an idol. Then verse 25-26 underline His greatness. May we be encouraged by knowing that we serve a powerful God. May He be merciful and display His majesty in our lives and in our midst over and over again, so that we may have peace even in the fiercest storm.
Today’s Verse – Romans 1:16
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. —Romans 1:16 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Are you ashamed? Culture tries to make us ashamed about our faith, portraying people of faith as stupid, insensitive, judgmental, and hypocritical. Are you ashamed? Or, because you reverence Jesus as LORD in your own heart and life, you are willing to share your faith humbly and gently with those who do not know Jesus as their LORD (1 Peter 3:15-16). Are you ashamed? Your hero left heaven to come to earth and risk everything so that you could go home to heaven with him. This Gospel is powerful. This Gospel is transformational. This Gospel, and the salvation it brings, are for all people. So let’s not be ashamed; let’s be joyous and generous with this incredible gift that we have received and share this grace with all peoples of the world! My Prayer… Father in heaven, please give me wisdom, sensitivity, humility, and courage to share your wonderful story of grace with those around me who do not know Jesus as their LORD and Savior. In Jesus’ name. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
04 Dec 2025
Jehovah restores. We may go through very difficult times, but let us not give up on Him. He has a track record of restoration. The scriptures are full of examples of this. I am sure we have also experienced it in our lives. May we still see Him do it over and over again. And as we behold His work, may we rejoice and be glad. May the evidence of His unfailing love for mankind be forever present in our lives and in our midst. Psalm 71:19-24.
03 Dec 2025
Testifying about what the Lord has done for us encourages us and others. It reminds us of God’s love and faithfulness and gives us hope because of the evidence that shows what He is capable of doing. Hopefully, we will always testify of the Lord’s goodness, and also be around people who also testify of the Lord’s goodness. May Jehovah also keep doing amazing things in our midst so that our testimonies abound. Psalm 71:14-18.
Daily Prayer for December 4
Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. Revelation 3:10–11, NIV Lord our God, strengthen our hearts today through your Word. You are our Father and we are your children, and we want to trust you in every aspect of our lives. Protect us on all our ways, and grant that we may always watch and wait for the coming of your kingdom, for the future of our Lord Jesus Christ. Keep us from becoming confused by present-day events. Help us to remain free, that we may serve you and not be led astray, no matter what happens in the world. Grant us your Holy Spirit in everything, for without your Spirit we can do nothing. Help us, and accept our praise for the many ways you have given us help. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Can Beauty and Justice Meet in Architecture? Kelly W. Foster An architect feels forced to choose between beauty for the rich and justice for the poor. A tuberculosis sanatorium shows him he doesn’t have to. Read now The Dangers of Advent J. B. Phillips No amount of familiarity with the trappings of Christmas should blind us to its quiet but explosive significance. Read now Stuck in Mexico Joseph Sorrentino With the US border effectively closed, a photojournalist finds migrants in limbo at Casa Tochan, a shelter in Mexico City. Read now Let the Children Rage Reynolds Chapman A father reads Katherine Rundell’s The Poisoned King, the second book in the Impossible Creatures series, to his twelve-year-old and six-year-old. Read now Blank Pages in the Family Book Amelia Buzzard When asking my Korean grandmother about my roots, I learn to listen to her silences. Read now
Today’s Verse – Matthew 1:22-23
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” — which means, “God with us.” —Matthew 1:22-23 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… God had repeatedly promised his people his presence. During the Wilderness wanderings, he was with them with the cloud during the day, the pillar of fire at night, and in the Holy of Holies above the Ark of the Covenant in the Tabernacle. Men, women, and angels (1 Peter 1:10-12) had long anticipated our receiving God’s presence close to us. Then, with Jesus’ incarnation, his coming in human flesh, it happened. God came to us in his Son. Jesus is Immanuel – Immanu-El, God with us! We live on the visited planet, touched by the very presence of God the Creator among us, as one of us, who lived, died, and was raised from the dead for us (See John 1:1-18; Hebrews 1:1-3; and Colossians 1:15-23 for the declaration of these truths). And it was just as the prophets of old had said. My Prayer… LORD God, my heavenly Father, thank you for keeping your promises, especially when it was so incredibly costly for you to do so in Jesus. You came to us in Jesus, the Son, to reveal yourself to us and show us how to live. I want to know you better, O God, not just as someone I study in Scripture, but as someone I encounter in my daily life. Please make your presence known as I seek you and use the Holy Spirit to transform me and mold me into someone who is truly JESUShaped (2 Corinthians 3:18; Colossians 1:28-29)! In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, our Immanuel, we pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.