A Prayer When the Darkness Feels Heavier than Usual - Your Nightly Prayer - November 3

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A Prayer When the Darkness Feels Heavier than Usual

TONIGHT'S SCRIPTURE

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 1 Timothy 2:1-2

SOMETHING TO PONDER

We measure much of our life by the obstacles we face. We tend to focus on life's hardships and the darkness that seems more prevalent than ever. I wonder, though, what would happen if we measured life by God's faithfulness and steadfastness instead? This doesn’t mean we get a pass on experiencing the tactics of the evil one and the obstacles we will face. But it’s a challenge that will draw us closer to the light and farther from the darkness that wants to consume us.

I often relate to the Israelites, grumbling about my current situations and asking the Lord, "Why does it have to be this way?.” "Why am I hitting yet another roadblock in my journey with you? Why is the enemy attacking me again? Why do the most important roles of my life seem to be dismissed by the world?" Do any or all of these sound like you? In this world, it's easy to add up the negatives. It’s easy to focus on the looming cloud the enemy hopes we stay trapped under. And from what I see throughout the Bible, our fellow believers struggled with this too.

One of my favorite parts of Scripture to return to when the darkness feels like it's closing in is Exodus 10. It makes me wonder: how would I have measured my life in the midst of their journey? Can you imagine? So many obstacles marked their story, so many moments that challenged them to trust God despite their circumstances. And from my perspective, seeing it all laid out on paper, I see God's faithfulness ten-fold.

The story that leaps off the pages for me, personally, is the promised distinction of light that God gave them in the midst of the plagues during Pharaoh's reign. It was the ninth plague, the plague of darkness, and God bound light from the entire area for 3 days, except over his people, the Israelites. Can you imagine experiencing this? Suddenly waking up and looking outside your home to see a darkness so thick you couldn't see anyone or anything around you. Yet, they were covered. Darkness surrounded them, but it did not consume them.

Exodus 10:21-29, "21 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, a darkness to be felt.” 22 So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was pitch darkness in all the land of Egypt three days. 23 They did not see one another, nor did anyone rise from his place for three days, but all the people of Israel had light where they lived. 24 Then Pharaoh called Moses and said, “Go, serve the Lord; your little ones also may go with you; only let your flocks and your herds remain behind.” 25 But Moses said, “You must also let us have sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God. 26 Our livestock also must go with us; not a hoof shall be left behind, for we must take of them to serve the Lord our God, and we do not know with what we must serve the Lord until we arrive there.” 27 But the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let them go. 28 Then Pharaoh said to him, “Get away from me; take care never to see my face again, for on the day you see my face you shall die.” 29 Moses said, “As you say! I will not see your face again.”

We must stop letting the world's darkness and the obstacles we face consume us. Even in big moments, we can often find God’s faithfulness in the midst, worthy of our praise and worth pointing to on the journey. We see this echoed throughout the New Testament, from Jesus’ personal ministry through the books that follow. We’re urged never to stop praying and praising. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 even urges us to keep praying, petitioning, and praising God in all situations.

Let us remember that we are called to share how God’s steadfastness has carried us, to pray in every season, and to choose to be the light even when the darkness feels heavy around us.

Have you let the darkness consume you, rather than focusing on God’s light?

YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER

Father, thank you for reminding me that I am called to measure my life by your faithfulness and that I do not need to give my attention to the darkness that tries to consume those who love you. Help me seek you as I journey through my days, clinging to the truth that you are leading and guiding me even when day-to-day situations feel challenging. Let me be a light to others, and help me invite them to see your faithfulness in their stories.

THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON

How has Jesus been the light in your life this year?

Have you taken the darkness you feel to the Lord?

When you think of being the light where God has you, what are things that come to mind for you personally?

Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.

Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Riccardo Mion

Chelsey is the voice behind the Living with Less Podcast and author of the 52-week devotional More of Him, Less of Me: Living a Christ-centered Life in a Me-centered World. She writes devotions for Lifeway Women's Journey Magazine, Crosswalk.com, and iBelieve.com. She also writes Bible reading plans for the YouVersion Bible App. Chelsey lives in Ohio with her husband and two children. You can connect with her on Instagram @chelseydematteis and at her website ChelseyDeMatteis.com.