Daily Prayer for February 17
Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. The Lord has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations. He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Psalm 98:1-3, NIV Lord our God, we thank you from our hearts, from the bottom of our hearts, that you consider us worthy to work with you so that redemption may come to the world in Jesus Christ. Already today many are rejoicing in their Redeemer. They are full of hope and comfort because the end is approaching – that evening when your glory shall be revealed, when the whole world and all nations shall glorify you, O great God and Father in heaven. Come into our time, we pray. Help us, Lord our God. Day and night we look to you in the hope of beholding the time of your glory, in the hope of receiving the peace that is beyond all understanding and of finding redemption, the great redemption from heaven, through you, the God over all flesh. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Gentleness in Academia Elizabeth Hoare In a cutthroat environment, is it naive to approach one’s critics, or even one’s students, with virtues such as gentleness, patience, and humility? Read now Humbled in the Presence of Daisies Friedrich von Hügel A philosopher ponders the limits of human knowledge. Read now 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
Today’s Verse – Galatians 5:6
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. —Galatians 5:6 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Have you ever noticed how we get to fussing and fighting about things that we think are significant, but in reality, these issues don’t pertain to the central matters of our faith? Too often, we fuss and fight over tangential issues and lose the most essential thing to Jesus — our love for each other. In the first century, this fight often involved Jew/Gentile issues — racial and cultural practices and prejudices. While race, culture, and heritage are important, what is most important is showing the world that we can value cultural and racial diversity in each other and still find our unity in Christ. In today’s high-tech and AI-focused world, isn’t it interesting that the essential human issue is the same as it was two thousand years ago — faith displaying itself in loving action? My Prayer… Dear LORD, please help us tear down every wall that divides and separates your people. Forgive us, for our prejudice toward and against each other can dissolve in your grace. Stir a deep yearning in our hearts to share the unity of heaven* in our world today. In the name of Jesus, the atoning sacrifice for all the peoples of the world, I ask this. Amen. * Notice the unity of heaven, where folks from every nation, tribe, people, and language worship together in joyous praise (Revelation 7:9-12). 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.
Daily Prayer for February 15
For this is what the high and exalted One says – he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.” Isaiah 57:15, NIV Dear Father in heaven, we thank you that even in need and misery we may feel and know that you are with the weak, for you are mighty in helping your children. You give the weak strength to serve you in spite of all their faults and weaknesses. Make us glad at heart for everything we are allowed to do and experience, because it serves you, your glory, and your kingdom until the day when others also are given eyes to see. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Humbled in the Presence of Daisies Friedrich von Hügel A philosopher ponders the limits of human knowledge. Read now 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
Today’s Verse – Philippians 1:3
I thank my God every time I remember you. —Philippians 1:3 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Certain people are such special blessings. It doesn’t matter if we visit with them on the phone, receive an encouraging email, receive a handwritten letter, or see them face to face. Any time we remember these kinds of people, we thank God for them. So, let’s follow Paul’s example and let them know they give us reasons to give thanks! I thank my God every time I remember you. Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Loving LORD, thank you for the following precious people you have brought into my life… (Place the names of several people who have blessed your life here). They have blessed my life and done it in so many ways. Please bless their lives with your grace, power, and Spirit. In Jesus’ name, I thank you for these precious people. 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.
14 Feb 2025
There must be a better version of me. I am not perfect. Am I willing to trust God to make me better? Am I brave enough to see the better version of myself and not dwell in remorse. Do I have the patience to allow God to work on me? 1 Corinthians 15:45-49.
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
Today’s Verse – 1 John 4:20
If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. —1 John 4:20 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Singing “O how I love Jesus!” and “I love you, Lord, and I lift my voice to worship you, O my soul rejoice…” sounds great. However, Jesus responds to us singing these words by asking us a simple and clear question: How well are you doing with loving your brothers and sisters? We can’t love God, we can’t appreciate Jesus, and we can’t be filled with the Holy Spirit if we won’t love those around us. My Prayer… Forgive me, dear Father, for the times I have harbored pettiness in my heart or been unforgiving to those who needed my grace. I recognize that when I am unloving to my brothers and sisters in Christ or even unloving to my neighbors, I am unloving to you. Please bless me as I work to reconcile some recent unresolved Christian relationships, remove long-held bitterness, and offered genuine love toward those who have wounded me. Help these mended friendships bring glory to you and vitality to your Church. In Jesus’ name, 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.
13 Feb 2025
I’m sure the Lord is pleased when we die to self. It takes a decision, commitment, and His power. It causes His name to be glorified and, therefore, causes Him to delight in us. May He show us how we can bring glory to His name. And may He increase in us as we die to self. 1 Corinthians 15:42-44.
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
Today’s Verse – 1 John 4:19
We love because he first loved us. —1 John 4:19 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… As human beings, we like to think of ourselves as the center of our universe. We determine the greatness or validity of most things around us based on their impact on us. Some of us even consider ourselves great adventurers, inventors, and investigators. However, in our most important quest, we did not act first; God did. He loved us sacrificially. He loved us personally. God loved us first. Our love is a response to his grace of going first with love. Our love is simply sharing with others what has been lavished upon us. We love because he loved us first. My Prayer… Almighty God and Abba Father, I know that I don’t fully understand the fullness of your love, but I know that you have blessed me with it in ways I could not have imagined. So please, dear Father, help me remember your great love for me when I am faced with temptation, led to doubt your grace, or wonder about my worthiness. I want your love to be reflected in my daily life. Thank you for loving me so completely. Thank you for loving me sacrificially. Thank you for loving me when I was a sinner and alienated from you. Most of all, thanks for loving first! In Jesus’ name, I praise you. 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.