Daily Prayer for February 27
Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown. Revelation 2:10, NIV Lord our God, we come into your presence. Hear our prayers, we entreat you. Let your will be done among us; let your will be done for each one of us individually, and for our time. Let everything go according to your will, even if the way leads through tribulation, fear, and need. For in the end your goal will be reached. In the end you will fulfill your purpose, and your kingdom will come. Your kingdom will come to the honor of your name and for the redemption of all people still suffering on earth. Let your Word bring us blessing. May we go forward joyfully in the patience of Jesus Christ until times change, until a new day dawns and we are allowed to see your glory and your peace. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Confessions of a Former Hack Shelby Kearns An aspiring journalist finds her work assignments at odds with her conscience. Read now Willing What God Wills J. Heinrich Arnold God needs nothing more than this: that we give him a quiet heart. Read now The Third Act of Work John Fechtel Work was centered on the home for much of history. Now it’s back. Read now Rednecks and Barbarians of France Vincent Lloyd Houria Bouteldja’s latest book marks a turn from racial politics to solidarity. Read now Finding Playmates in a Country with Few Children Gaetano Masciullo In a country with plummeting birth rates, an Italian father seeks the simple joy of children playing together. Read now
Today’s Verse – Isaiah 41:10-11
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. —Isaiah 41:10-11 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Not only does God’s blessing rest on us, but his presence also goes with us. We can never be in a place where he is not with us (Psalms 139:1-24). His presence and power will uphold us and strengthen us. No matter what may happen in our physical bodies or with our physical worlds, God has given us the ultimate triumph over every enemy and all wickedness in Jesus. Even Jesus’ doubters and enemies will worship our LORD, kneel at his feet, and recognize that our faith is not only appropriate but it is also victorious (1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Philippians 2:9-11). Hallelujah! My Prayer… Thank you, dear Father! You are not only the God of the heavens but also the God of my heart. You know me inside and out as you care for me through every step I take. You hear my cries for help and mercy. You share my struggles and burdens. You hear my thoughts, songs, and shouts of praise. Please deliver me from every physical and spiritual enemy and give me the boldness to stand firm in my faith in you. In Jesus’ name, I ask this. 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.
26 Feb 2025
There is no greater example of sacrificial love than what is described in John 15:12-15. May we emulate that example by encouraging, giving, serving as God leads us. May our eyes be opened to help us understand how a friend of Jesus should be. And may we live that way.
Daily Prayer for February 26
I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1–2, NIV Lord God Almighty, Lord our God, our refuge for ever and ever, bless us as we gather in your presence and turn to you. May we be your children, who can simply believe and stand firm in our lives and in our calling. We thank you for giving us your grace and constant help. In your grace we can be joyful, praising and honoring you. You are our father. You never forsake us. May your name be praised by us all. May your name be praised above and in the whole world so that all people may acknowledge you and receive what they need from you. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Willing What God Wills J. Heinrich Arnold God needs nothing more than this: that we give him a quiet heart. Read now The Third Act of Work John Fechtel Work was centered on the home for much of history. Now it’s back. Read now Rednecks and Barbarians of France Vincent Lloyd Houria Bouteldja’s latest book marks a turn from racial politics to solidarity. Read now Finding Playmates in a Country with Few Children Gaetano Masciullo In a country with plummeting birth rates, an Italian father seeks the simple joy of children playing together. Read now Is It Possible to Rejoice Continually? John Chrysostom Paul’s exhortation to “rejoice always” seems a pretty tall order. Read now
Today’s Verse – Numbers 6:24-26
The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace. —Numbers 6:24-26 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… How would you like to place the mighty name of the LORD on people you love? God promised that this priestly blessing enabled his name — his power and authority — to be placed on his people. What an incredible gift! We can bless and empower others with these faithful words of blessing! Such blessings are found throughout Scripture. Why not begin looking today for ways to pronounce these blessings of God on others? You can start with this one and then add many others as you find them in Scripture. Send them by personal note, email, mail, or an in-person, hands-on blessing spoken over someone you love! Special Note: Download Eldon Degge’s “Book of Blessings” for free. This simple text version has hundreds of simple blessings you can say and share with others! My Prayer… O LORD of every good and perfect gift, your blessings are too many and more wonderful for me to fully comprehend or count. Please use me to speak your blessings over others today. Give me eyes to see and ears to hear so I can share your blessings with others today! In the name of Jesus, your greatest blessing, 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.
25 Feb 2025
As we seek to maintain our focus on God, let us also keep His commands. He lays emphasis on loving one another, and the result of this is joy. May we be beneficiaries of His joy. John 15:9-11.
Daily Prayer for February 25
“Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations.” Isaiah 42:1, NIV Dear Father in heaven, grant that we may stand in your grace. Grant that the light of your grace may come to us through your Word. Keep us firm in faith until the promised time when your redemption shall come to all the nations on earth. We are often anxious and ask ourselves if people can bear it. Will they learn to listen to your Word? Will they remain steadfast when hard times come? Will they turn to you alone, to you who know the hour and appoint the time when we may see the promised day? Let the might of your hand prevail over the whole world. You are the only power that can help us out of our great affliction, you our only Lord. Amen. Recent articles on Plough The Third Act of Work John Fechtel Work was centered on the home for much of history. Now it’s back. Read now Rednecks and Barbarians of France Vincent Lloyd Houria Bouteldja’s latest book marks a turn from racial politics to solidarity. Read now Finding Playmates in a Country with Few Children Gaetano Masciullo In a country with plummeting birth rates, an Italian father seeks the simple joy of children playing together. Read now Is It Possible to Rejoice Continually? John Chrysostom Paul’s exhortation to “rejoice always” seems a pretty tall order. Read now The Music on Mount Sinai Meir Soloveichik As students enter adulthood, how can they learn to hear the voice of God beneath the noise of life? Read now
Today’s Verse – Psalm 138:8
The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever — do not abandon the works of your hands. —Psalm 138:8 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Notice the powerful beauty of this verse from the psalm. First is conviction: “The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me.” (See also Philippians 1:6.) Second is declaration: “your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.” (See also 1 Corinthians 13:8). Finally is supplication: O LORD“do not abandon the works of your hand.”. (See also Psalms 139:13-16). What a beautiful balance for our walk with the LORD — conviction, declaration, and supplication. The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever — do not abandon the works of your hands. For clarity, please note that the translation above blends the NIV and ESV of Psalm 138:8. My Prayer… Heavenly Father, the LORD of all, I am confident that you will accomplish your will and purpose in me. Seeing how you loved and worked through the centuries through your people, I know your love will endure long past my time on earth. However, dear LORD, I do face some struggles and difficulties in my time, so I ask you to please intervene with your grace and power in my life. Please fulfill your purpose for me. And please, do not abandon me, the work of your hands. In Jesus’ name, I confidently 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.
24 Feb 2025
I am learning to maintain my focus on God. It doesn’t matter what we are going through. Let us keep our eyes on God. May we not despair and leave Him. We have a choice. May we make the right choice. John 15:1-8.
Daily Prayer for February 24
For I am the Lord your God, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar – the Lord Almighty is his name. I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand – I who set the heavens in place, who laid the foundations of the earth, and who say to Zion, “You are my people.” Isaiah 51:15-16, NIV Lord God Almighty, your eyes watch over the whole world. We come before you with the evils that surround us still clinging to us. Shelter our lives in your hands. Give us your strength to win through, even in suffering and need. For we are yours, O Lord our God. You have chosen your people to strengthen them and to free them from all evil. We beseech you to help us. May we feel your presence among us. May your Word bear fruit in us to the everlasting honor of your name. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Finding Playmates in a Country with Few Children Gaetano Masciullo In a country with plummeting birth rates, an Italian father seeks the simple joy of children playing together. Read now Is It Possible to Rejoice Continually? John Chrysostom Paul’s exhortation to “rejoice always” seems a pretty tall order. Read now The Music on Mount Sinai Meir Soloveichik As students enter adulthood, how can they learn to hear the voice of God beneath the noise of life? Read now The Gold Rush for Lithium in the Argentine Puna Fernando Krapp and Javier Corbalán Multinational mining companies have descended on the salt flats to extract lithium for batteries. They’ve generated new jobs, but at what cost? Read now We Will Not Be Silent Andrea Grosso Ciponte With an entire nation blindly following an evil leader, where did a handful of students find the courage to resist? Read now