A Prayer to Shine God’s Light This Halloween - Your Daily Prayer - October 25

Your Daily Prayer

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By Alicia Searl, Crosswalk.com

A Prayer to Shine God’s Light This Halloween
By: Alicia Searl

Bible Reading:
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

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Before we discuss how to “be a light” this Halloween, let’s just go ahead and address the elephant in the room, shall we? I know and understand the controversy surrounding this holiday. I also get the sentiment towards those who wish to remove themselves from it completely, knowing its origin and pagan roots. Frankly, all the reasons as to why one chooses to stay far away from the scary festivities and trick-or-treaters are totally valid.

However, what if there was a different way to approach this holiday? One that came with a mission to make Christ known? One that allowed us to open our hearts and homes to our community rather than turning off our lights and sending people away?

If we genuinely want to understand how to approach a holiday that comes with some rather gruesome strings attached, we must look to Jesus and dig into His Word. First, Jesus Himself encountered fear and demonic forces repeatedly throughout Scripture, and He didn’t shy away from it. In fact, even in moments of fear, He demonstrated a bold yet calm demeanor, knowing that fear is a liar. He encourages us to do the same (2 Timothy 1:7, Joshua 1:9, and Psalm 118:6).

In Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus was tempted in the wilderness after His baptism. His response was to follow fearful temptations with sound truth. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus shares the intense mental and emotional torture and affliction before His crucifixion, where fear caused Him to sweat drops of blood (Luke 22:41-44). His response was earnest and vigilant prayer. We also read about multiple incidents when Jesus cast out demons and healed the spiritually sick (Mark 5:1-20, Luke 4:33-36, and Matthew 8:28-34). He did this by directly commanding evil to leave by His divine authority and righteousness.

While we are not Jesus, and do not hold these divine powers, as faithful believers, we do have the power of the Holy Spirit residing inside each of us (Romans 8:9). This allows us to acknowledge that we live in a sinful and fallen world, and we cannot escape or even hide from it, but we can stand firm in our faith and combat evil with truth.

So, it still begs the question: How are we to respond to a holiday that is marked by the blurry line of the spiritual realm and the evilness of this world? Sweet believer, this may be our time to shine and shed light in a dark world!

When Jesus speaks to His disciples in Matthew 5:14-16, He calls them to be the “light of the world,” knowing it is a crucial way of spreading the good news and helping those living in darkness see that, apart from Him, there is no light. We are called to be the “light of the world” as well and shine brightly, especially to those who are lost and spiritually sick.

Perhaps this Halloween, as those trick-or-treaters flood our streets, we leave our light on and open our doors in love, truth, and grace. Let communities across the nation see Jesus in us as we share our faith through our loving actions. There are so many fun ways to do this. Whether you pass out “Jesus Loves You” stickers and bracelets, create a fun photo booth with photo ops that proclaim Bible verses, or simply exchange sweet smiles and tasty treats as you extend heartfelt prayers for each one that comes to your door. You, dear follower, are making an impact for His kingdom.

Let’s Pray:

Faithful Father,

We are so very grateful that You are our source of all light. As we enter into a season when evil lurks and longs to be celebrated, equip us with the power of the Holy Spirit to cling to absolute truth and boldly shed light on Your love, grace, and mercy. Soften our hearts to those in need of Your almighty love and allow us to open our homes with compassion. Protect our family and friends and be our guide as we navigate this holiday and respond in a counter-cultural manner.

We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Share your reflections on today’s devotional in the Your Daily Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum!

Alicia Searl is a devotional author, blogger, and speaker that is passionate about pouring out her heart and pointing ladies of all ages back to Jesus. She has an education background and master’s in literacy. Her favorite people call her Mom, which is why much of her time is spent cheering them on at a softball game or dance class. She is married to her heartthrob (a tall, spiky-haired blond) who can whip up a mean latte. She sips that goodness while writing her heart on a page while her puppy licks her feet. Visit her website at aliciasearl.com and connect with her on Instagram and Facebook.

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