And Mary said: “My soul praises the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me – holy is his name.” Luke 1:46–49, NIV
O Lord God, in exultation our hearts go out to you and your revelation of heaven, your revelation of the Spirit, who can fill our hearts so that we remain steadfast throughout our earthly life. It is still dark on earth. Sin and death hold sway, but we stand unafraid and seek repentance. In spite of all our failures we look to you and know you are our Savior. You send us Jesus Christ in your own glory. The world will be filled with light. Everywhere on earth, even among those who do not know you, the sincere-hearted will come to acknowledge that you, the Father of Jesus Christ and our Father, are God over all the world. You will show your glory to all people so that they may come to you, worship you, and walk in the light, to the everlasting glory of your name. Amen.
Recent articles on Plough
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Plough’s editors pick their favorite articles from the past year that appeared in other small magazines. Read now
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Dwight Blough
The present misery, need, and decay must pass away and the new day of the Son of Man must dawn. Read now
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Shana Goodwin
In case you missed them: here are the most popular Plough articles published in 2024. Read now
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Paul Coleman and Elyssa Koren
From Nicaragua to Finland, bold speech is a Christian’s right and duty. Read now
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Marianne Wright
Hear the story behind a popular Christmas carol so angelic it made a fourteenth-century monk stop self-flagellating. Read now
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Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 106:1, NIV
Dear Father in heaven, whose might is over all the earth, we thank you for all the love you show us. We also thank you for everything that seems hard, but which you change into help and strength. We want to thank you in life and in death, in joy and in sorrow, for you are the great and mighty God, who calls us to life again and again, who leads us to fuller life. You have given us great love in Jesus Christ, our Savior. He shall always be before our eyes and remain in our hearts. Through him we can cry out in joy, “Abba, dear Father!” Amen.
Recent articles on Plough
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Dwight Blough
The present misery, need, and decay must pass away and the new day of the Son of Man must dawn. Read now
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Shana Goodwin
In case you missed them: here are the most popular Plough articles published in 2024. Read now
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Paul Coleman and Elyssa Koren
From Nicaragua to Finland, bold speech is a Christian’s right and duty. Read now
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Marianne Wright
Hear the story behind a popular Christmas carol so angelic it made a fourteenth-century monk stop self-flagellating. Read now
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Emmy Arnold
My most beautiful childhood memories are of celebrating Christmas. Not surprising, perhaps, for a girl born on Christmas Day. Read now
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But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Galatians 4:4–5, NIV
O Lord God, we thank you for everything you allow us to see and hear. May our hearts become awake and alive through all we receive so that we await your final revelation and recognize your ultimate will for all people, for all nations and races on earth. Hear us in these days, for we know your kingdom is coming. Your kingdom is before our eyes. Your Word, your help, is coming, and in Jesus Christ light will dawn for all the world. Praise and honor to you for all you do! May we see it all before our eyes so that our expectation of the last days is a living expectation, full of joy and blessing. We want to wait in joy, in love, and in longing for the day that is coming to your glory. Amen.
Recent articles on Plough
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Shana Goodwin
In case you missed them: here are the most popular Plough articles published in 2024. Read now
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Paul Coleman and Elyssa Koren
From Nicaragua to Finland, bold speech is a Christian’s right and duty. Read now
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Marianne Wright
Hear the story behind a popular Christmas carol so angelic it made a fourteenth-century monk stop self-flagellating. Read now
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Emmy Arnold
My most beautiful childhood memories are of celebrating Christmas. Not surprising, perhaps, for a girl born on Christmas Day. Read now
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Henry van Dyke
There is something better than observing Christmas for a day or twelve days, and that is keeping Christmas. Read now
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Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David. Luke 1:68–69, NIV
Lord our God, dear Father in heaven, we come into your presence and ask you to show yourself to us as the true, great, and almighty God, who can shed light into our misery and change it all, letting us find reconciliation and redemption in Jesus Christ. Protect and help us with your mighty hand. Let every country and nation see your grace and see the victory over all sin and injustice. Let your justice come on earth, and let peace fill every heart and show in every life. May all that happens to us serve the good. Help us always look to you, our Lord and God, for you have power to rule everything and to turn everything to its right purpose. Amen.
Recent articles on Plough
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Paul Coleman and Elyssa Koren
From Nicaragua to Finland, bold speech is a Christian’s right and duty. Read now
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Marianne Wright
Hear the story behind a popular Christmas carol so angelic it made a fourteenth-century monk stop self-flagellating. Read now
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Emmy Arnold
My most beautiful childhood memories are of celebrating Christmas. Not surprising, perhaps, for a girl born on Christmas Day. Read now
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Henry van Dyke
There is something better than observing Christmas for a day or twelve days, and that is keeping Christmas. Read now
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Meister Eckhart
If the eternal birth does not happen in me, what does it profit me? Read now
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For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life. John 3:16, TEV
Lord our God, our light and our life, in our longing to live by your Word we lift our eyes to you. Let your Word come into our hearts. Let your Word help us to understand our lives and our time, so that we can recognize your leading in everything and gather courage every day in spite of our weakness, sins, and faults. We can still find joy, for your kingdom is coming. We can feel that you are among us, however great the anguish of these times. Let the light of Jesus Christ shine out; let your Spirit of peace and grace come to all nations so that your will may be done. Free people from all their confusion. Release them from their bondage. Make them free for what is good, true, and eternal. May your name be praised among us today and forevermore. Amen.
Recent articles on Plough
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Marianne Wright
Hear the story behind a popular Christmas carol so angelic it made a fourteenth-century monk stop self-flagellating. Read now
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Emmy Arnold
My most beautiful childhood memories are of celebrating Christmas. Not surprising, perhaps, for a girl born on Christmas Day. Read now
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Henry van Dyke
There is something better than observing Christmas for a day or twelve days, and that is keeping Christmas. Read now
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Meister Eckhart
If the eternal birth does not happen in me, what does it profit me? Read now
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Eberhard Arnold
Christmas did not come as the successful result of any human effort. It came as a miracle. Read now
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For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6, RSV
Lord our God, you have sent light to shine on earth and have revealed your heavenly power in Jesus Christ, so that in spite of all the darkness and evil we may rejoice because we have a Savior. Reveal your power in our day. Let something be done anew toward the building of your kingdom on earth. Let something draw men’s hearts to you to give them light so that they may thank and praise you for all you have done and are still doing to bring the whole world into your hands. O Lord God, let men be moved by the opening of the heavens. May their hearts awaken and their sadness give way to joy in Jesus Christ the Savior. We are your children who are allowed to wait in expectation for you to set everything right. We can know that even in our troubled times your hand is at work to reveal your will, to make your will plain to all generations on earth, as you promised through Abraham. May your name be glorified, O Lord God. May your name be honored, your kingdom come, and your will be done on earth as in heaven. Amen.
Recent articles on Plough
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Emmy Arnold
My most beautiful childhood memories are of celebrating Christmas. Not surprising, perhaps, for a girl born on Christmas Day. Read now
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Henry van Dyke
There is something better than observing Christmas for a day or twelve days, and that is keeping Christmas. Read now
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Meister Eckhart
If the eternal birth does not happen in me, what does it profit me? Read now
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Eberhard Arnold
Christmas did not come as the successful result of any human effort. It came as a miracle. Read now
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Maureen Swinger
Follow an old school bus’s transformation into a space for coffee and camaraderie. Read now
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But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord”…Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:10–11, 13–14, NIV
Lord God, our Father in heaven, you have sent us the Savior, who was born to bring great joy to all people. Glorify your name, we pray. Give the world the peace you alone can give, the peace that wells up in our hearts. Let your favor rest on us so that we may hold out under our sufferings on earth. We need your loving help to remain inwardly steadfast until everyone can be reached by the message, “Be strong in the grace of Jesus Christ.” Amen.
Recent articles on Plough
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Henry van Dyke
There is something better than observing Christmas for a day or twelve days, and that is keeping Christmas. Read now
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Meister Eckhart
If the eternal birth does not happen in me, what does it profit me? Read now
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Eberhard Arnold
Christmas did not come as the successful result of any human effort. It came as a miracle. Read now
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Maureen Swinger
Follow an old school bus’s transformation into a space for coffee and camaraderie. Read now
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Julie Kilcur
The church’s liturgical traditions remind us that we don’t need to innovate. Advent is a great time to start forging meaningful memories. Read now
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May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and in his grace gave us unfailing courage and a firm hope, encourage you and strengthen you to always do and say what is good. 2 Thessalonians 2:16–17, TEV
Lord our God, our Father in heaven and our Father on earth, our Lord and our Ruler, we thank you that to this very day you have guarded and guided us and delivered us from great need. We praise you with hearts full of hope as we continue on our pilgrimage. For Christmas Day is coming with its message of hope that we may somehow bring honor to you in spite of all hindrances, mistakes, and sin, in spite of all death and the horror of dying. We know that you hold us in your hands. With your help we can look ahead, and again and again we may take a small step forward and live to the praise and honor of your name. So be with us now and bless us. Amen.
Recent articles on Plough
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Meister Eckhart
If the eternal birth does not happen in me, what does it profit me? Read now
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Eberhard Arnold
Christmas did not come as the successful result of any human effort. It came as a miracle. Read now
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Maureen Swinger
Follow an old school bus’s transformation into a space for coffee and camaraderie. Read now
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Julie Kilcur
The church’s liturgical traditions remind us that we don’t need to innovate. Advent is a great time to start forging meaningful memories. Read now
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Johann Christoph Blumhardt
We are dehydrated people and since we need the Spirit, God will give it again. Read now
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Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4–7, NIV
Dear Father in heaven, let your joy be always in us, your children. Let your joy bring light and peace to our lives, no matter what happens around us. May we serve you in joy, aware of your peace at all times, so that something of this peace may go out from us to grieving hearts and to regions of the world that are in darkness. Father in heaven, how many unhappy people look up without knowing where to find help! But you will come to them. We beseech you, come to those who mourn, and let them find joy and trust for their redemption in Jesus Christ. Amen.
Recent articles on Plough
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Eberhard Arnold
Christmas did not come as the successful result of any human effort. It came as a miracle. Read now
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Maureen Swinger
Follow an old school bus’s transformation into a space for coffee and camaraderie. Read now
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Julie Kilcur
The church’s liturgical traditions remind us that we don’t need to innovate. Advent is a great time to start forging meaningful memories. Read now
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Johann Christoph Blumhardt
We are dehydrated people and since we need the Spirit, God will give it again. Read now
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Peter Gray
In an age of high-pressure childhoods, free play is more necessary than ever. Read now
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He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. 2 Peter 1:17–18, NIV
Lord Jesus Christ, to you we may lift our eyes, for you have broken free from our world of death and live in the glory of life, and you offer your life to us on earth. Let the power of your life be revealed today in us and in many others who want to celebrate Christmas. Send your Spirit to move our hearts so that we hear, see, experience, and understand what you and your gift of eternal life truly mean for us. So watch over us in these days and strengthen us in faith. Shed the light of your grace over us and within us. Protect us as your disciples. Lead us into communion with our Father in heaven and into community with you, O Jesus Christ, for all eternity. Amen.
Recent articles on Plough
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Maureen Swinger
Follow an old school bus’s transformation into a space for coffee and camaraderie. Read now
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Julie Kilcur
The church’s liturgical traditions remind us that we don’t need to innovate. Advent is a great time to start forging meaningful memories. Read now
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Johann Christoph Blumhardt
We are dehydrated people and since we need the Spirit, God will give it again. Read now
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Peter Gray
In an age of high-pressure childhoods, free play is more necessary than ever. Read now
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Caitrin Keiper
A review of Edwidge Danticat’s new essay collection, We’re Alone. Read now
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