Prayer for a dark winter morning
Written by Lynette Kittle
Bible reading:
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” – John 8:12
Listen or read below:
Dark winter mornings can feel especially cold, quiet, and slow to wake up. The darkness seems to last as long as possible, and without warmth nearby like a fire, a cozy chair, or a thick blanket, it can feel unsettling. In such moments, it’s easy to remember how much we need light.
But the darkness doesn’t last. One day it won’t exist at all. God’s plan is to get rid of it forever. That is why, as children of God, we naturally resist darkness. It’s not part of our future.
Revelation 22:5 promises this hope: “There will be no more night…for the Lord God will give them light, and they will reign forever and ever.”
Unlike Simon and Garfunkel’s classic lyric, “Hello darkness, my old friend,” the darkness is not, and never will be, our friend.
Darkness is not welcome for anyone, especially Christians. That’s one reason why dark winter mornings can be even more difficult for those of us who love light.
If you’re not careful, gloomy mornings can start to weigh on you. The darkness of winter silently drags us down, robs us of joy, dulls our hopes, and persuades us to settle into the shadows.
But the darkness has no real power over us because we belong to the light. Ephesians 5:8-10 reminds us: “For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light…” We are called to live in goodness, righteousness, and truth, seeking to please God.
1 Thessalonians 5:5 reassures us: “You are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of night or of darkness.”
Darkness is always spreading and trying to hide, suppressing the light that reveals what is buried. That is why Ephesians 5:11 urges us: “Have nothing to do with the futile deeds of darkness, but rather expose it.”
Although the darkness may feel overwhelming, it is actually weaker when the light appears. The darkness has no choice but to flee and retreat when the light comes.
Consider bringing a single candle into a dark room. Darkness cannot extinguish the flame. It can only contract as the light expands. John 1:5 puts it perfectly: “The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness did not overcome it.”
The apostle Paul also reminds us in Romans 13:12 that light not only guides us, but also protects us: “The night is coming to an end, and the day is at hand. Therefore let us put aside the deeds of darkness, and put on the armor of light.”
So, on dark winter mornings, the light we burn, along with the light within us, dispels the darkness and allows us to bask in the light of the Lord. As 1 John 1:5 says, “God is light; there is no darkness in Him.”
And Psalm 139:12 offers even more comfort. “Even darkness is not dark to you…for darkness is to you the same as light.”
Let’s pray:
Dear father,
We praise you because you are light and there is no darkness in you.
Our hearts are filled with gratitude for your light shining brightly within and through us, dispelling the darkness of the world that tries to draw us in and overtake us.
But we have Jesus, the light of the world. Jesus calls us to be your children of light and fills and covers us with the armor of your light.
Light our daily path and help us to bask in your light through the dark winter mornings. Fill our hearts and lips with joyful praise of the truth that, because of your light, darkness cannot conquer us or the world.
In the name of Jesus,
Amen.
Share your thoughts on today’s devotion in the Daily Prayer discussion in the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Denis Mamin
Lynette Kittle is married and has four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her work has been published in Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, StartMarriageRight.com, and elsewhere. She holds a master’s degree in communications from Regent University and is an associate producer at Soul Check TV.
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