A prayer to shine God’s light on this Halloween.
Author: Alicia Searle
Bible reading:
“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden; nor do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, set it on a stand so that it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good deeds and bring glory to your heavenly Father.” Matthew 5:14-16
Listen or read below:
Before we discuss how to “be the light” this Halloween, let’s address the elephant in the room. I know and understand the controversy surrounding this holiday. I also understand the feelings towards those who know its origins and pagan roots and want to break away from it completely. Frankly, the reasons why people choose to distance themselves from scary festivals and trick-or-treating are all perfectly valid.
But what if we could celebrate this holiday in a different way: as someone who came on a mission to make Christ known? Instead of turning off the lights and kicking people out, could we open our hearts and homes to the community?
If we really want to understand how to deal with a holiday that comes with some pretty gruesome conditions, we need to look to Jesus and dig deep into His Word. First, Jesus Himself encountered fear and demonic forces many times throughout the Bible, but was unable to avoid them. In fact, even in moments of fear, Jesus displayed a bold yet calm attitude, knowing that fear is a liar. God invites us to do the same (2 Timothy 1:7, Joshua 1:9, Psalm 118:6).
In Matthew 4:1-11, after Jesus was baptized, he was tempted in the wilderness. His response was to submit to the terrible temptation with a healthy dose of truth. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus experienced intense mental and emotional torture and suffering before his crucifixion. There, fear caused drops of blood to flow (Luke 22:41-44). His answer was an earnest and cautious prayer. We also read about multiple occasions when Jesus cast out demons and healed the spiritually sick (Mark 5:1-20, Luke 4:33-36, Matthew 8:28-34). He did this by directly commanding evil to depart by God’s authority and righteousness.
Although we are not Jesus and do not have these divine powers, as faithful believers we each have the power of the Holy Spirit within us (Romans 8:9). This allows us to realize that we live in a sinful, fallen world from which we cannot run or even hide, but we can stand firm in our faith and fight evil with truth.
Therefore, questions still remain. How do we respond to a holiday marked by a blurred line between the spiritual realm and the evils of this world? Dear believer, now may be our time to shine and shed light in a world of darkness!
When Jesus speaks to his disciples in Matthew 5:14-16, he calls them to be “the light of the world.” He knows that it is an important way to spread the good news and help those living in darkness understand that there is no light except in Him. We too are called to be the “lights of the world,” and we are especially called to shine a bright light on those who are lost or spiritually sick.
Perhaps this Halloween, when trick-or-treaters flood our streets, we will leave the lights on and open the doors to love, truth, and grace. As we share our faith through loving actions, let communities across the country see Jesus in us. There are lots of fun ways to do this. You can hand out “Jesus Loves You” stickers and bracelets, create a fun photo booth where you can take pictures proclaiming Bible verses, or simply exchange a kind smile and a delicious treat as you say a heartfelt prayer to each person who comes through your door. Dear Follower, you are impacting the Kingdom of God.
Let’s pray:
Faithful Father,
We are so grateful that you are the source of all our light. As we enter a season where evil lurks and longs to be celebrated, equip us with the power of your Holy Spirit to cling to absolute truth and boldly shine a light on your love, grace, and mercy. Soften our hearts and enable us to open our homes with compassion to those who need your almighty love. Be our guide to protecting our family and friends, surviving this holiday, and responding in a countercultural way.
We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Please share your thoughts about today’s devotion in the “Daily Prayer” discussion in the Crosswalk forum.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Carol Yepes
Alicia Searle is a dedicated author, blogger, and speaker who is passionate about pouring out her heart and leading women of all ages to Jesus. She has an academic background and holds a master’s degree in reading and writing. Her loved ones call her Mama. So much of her time is spent cheering them on at softball games and dance classes. She’s married to her crush (a tall, spiky-haired blonde) who can make a mean latte. She writes her heart on the page while sipping on the deliciousness as the puppy licks her paws. Visit her website aliciasearl.com and connect with her on Instagram and Facebook.
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