The Light Who Overcomes the World - Your Nightly Prayer - October 31st
The Light Who Overcomes the World
Your Nightly Prayer
by Peyton Garland
TONIGHT'S SCRIPTURE
“In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:4-5 (NIV)
SOMETHING TO PONDER
Growing up, my family didn’t hold back on decorating for Halloween. An inflatable, rotating spider filled a large space on one side of our front lawn, while an inflatable Pooh and Tigger dressed in scary costumes covered the other. Mummies, Frankenstein, and countless pumpkins littered our mantle, kitchen counter, and bathroom sink. Nearly all the decorations glowed and/or screeched. For someone who didn’t grow up in this tradition, I’m sure it was eerily overwhelming, to say the least. In fact, in high school, when a young gentleman came to my house to pick me up for a first date (in October), my directions to our house were simple. I gave him the name of the road and told him not to worry about the numbers on the mailbox, explaining, “It’ll be the one with all the tacky Halloween decorations.”
However, after I had my first child, I reevaluated my views concerning Halloween, discerning whether or not to celebrate the holiday. Each tradition I allow inside my house now impacts a little heart, mind, and soul, and that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Before having our son, my husband and I briefly lived in Colorado, where a heavy Wiccan population lives. Their lifestyle left me unsettled, spiritually queasy, and the more I understood their witchcraft practices and the evil role Halloween plays in their demonic celebrations, the more I distanced myself from any form of the holiday.
I haven’t celebrated Halloween since my son was born, but I also recognize that our faith leaves space for gray areas, where believers can have different convictions concerning topics that aren’t explicitly mentioned in Scripture. Past sins, cultural upbringings, and the like often shape how we view faith issues that aren’t black and white, and as a child who grew up in a Christ-loving home where the lighthearted side of Halloween was celebrated, I know full well that it’s not my place to judge parents who don’t mind if their kiddos dress up as princesses and super heroes and visit neighbors for candy.
I also recognize the compassionate Trunk-or-Treat outreach many churches participate in to win their community to the gospel. Who am I to step in the way of an evangelical body of believers desperate to share Christ’s love with a dark world?
I share the paradox of my childhood experiences and adult convictions to remind you that you don’t know the heart or true intentions of anyone. It’s a scary, humbling truth meant to remind you that if your views concerning Halloween, regardless of your “side,” aren’t rooted and shared in Christ’s truth and love, darkness wins.
Removing adults from the Halloween equation, what I find so courageous and beautiful about children in this season is their willingness to run headlong into the darkness, knock on a stranger’s door, and ask for a special treat without giving anything in return. Per etiquette, it’s both reckless and rude. But children aren’t controlled by superficial, manmade rules. They’re often compelled by joy and excitement, the pure sort that leaves little room to be afraid or judge others.
Perhaps this is a lesson that should not only live in our hearts during “spooky season,” but throughout the year: that we pursue the joy of Christ with such excitement that fear and judgment have no place.
Just as children dress in unrealistic, silly costumes for Halloween, may we remember how silly we are when we allow pride to convince us that anything besides God’s fulfillment will drive out our fear. Just as children extend open hands for treats they can never repay, may we open our grown, calloused hands to a God we know fills us with good things, even and especially those we don’t deserve.
Regardless of how you and your family spend Halloween, may you rest in the beauty of childlike faith, a hope that will never let darkness win, and a Savior who drives out all fear.
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Father,
Thank you for the gift of your Son, the Light of the world, who rescues us from all forms of darkness and evil, who delights in giving His undeserving children the most treasurable, eternal gifts. This Halloween holiday, may we look to you for discernment as we recognize the role you want us and our families to play. I ask that you bless all church outreach programs, safeguard all children as they trick or treat, and drive out the enemy who uses darkness on this holiday to destroy hearts and souls. May we proclaim your victorious light today and every day.
Amen.
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
1. Do I ask God for discernment in the “gray areas” of life, or do I lean only on tradition or personal comfort?
2. What would it look like to approach my faith with the fearless joy and expectancy of a child?
3. Am I more focused on avoiding darkness or actively shining the light of Christ in it?
Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Carol Yepes
