Prayers for the Light of God
Prayers for the Light of God.
It seems that our world, God’s world, seems to be descending further into the deep shadows of darkness. But we can be confident that the blazing light of Emmanuel is with us, for He is “the light that shines in darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5). Therefore, we can exclaim with hope that “where sin abounds, grace much more abounds.” (Romans 5:20).
Morning Prayers for Light:
A Prayer for the Light of God’s Presence: “God, with you there is no darkness. Your character has no shadows, and you are pure and good. Yet in our broken world, we see so much darkness around us. Pain, sickness, and disease are in our community and in many of our homes. Bring your light and restoring presence to the dark places in our lives. Bring your hope to hearts that feel defeated. Bring your love and compassion to those in pain. Give us faith to say with the psalmist, “Lord, you light my lamp; my God illuminates my darkness.” May your light of hope shine in the darkness for families today. Show us glimpses of your presence with us and the comfort you bring. In the busyness of today, help us to take a moment to be still and sit with you. To slow down, breathe deeply, and release our burdens to your strong hand. You are trustworthy, good, and true, and we thank you for caring for us so deeply and beautifully. Open our eyes to see you at work today. Give us your light. In Jesus name, Amen.” (composed by Mary Beth Thomas).
A Prayer to Let My Light Shine: “O Lord, I thank you for the light that shines from within! Help me this day to recognize the several points of light that shine within me: the light of faith, the light of hope, the light of love! Regardless of whether or not the sun is shining or the rain is falling, remind me that there is a light that you have given me that will never go out. Help me through my life to brighten the world of the depressed, to glow in a world of darkness and to shine when others struggle to find joy. Remind me that I have a light and that you have commanded me to let my light shine. In a time of war, may my light be a light of peace. In a time of hate, may my light be a light of love. In a time of poverty, may my light be a light of prosperity. In a time of scarcity, may my light be a light of abundance. Bless me this day to be a light to the world. Help me this day to let my light shine that all people might see your goodness, mercy and power, shining through what they see in me. Through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior we pray. Amen.” (Composed by Rev. Dr. Nicholas Hood III)
A Prayer for Forgiveness: “Almighty God, You bring to light things hidden in darkness and know the shadows of our hearts: As we confess our sins, cleanse and renew us by Your Spirit, that we may walk in Your light and sanctify Your name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
A Prayer for Illumination before Scripture Study: “Radiant God, source of all light, by your Word, you give light to the soul. Your Word is a light to our path, and in your light do we see light. Enlighten our hearts, illumine our minds, that we may be filled with your eternal light, that we may hereafter walk as children of light. In the name of the Anointed one. Amen.”
A Prayer for Guiding Light: “Father in Heaven, You made me Your child and called me to walk in the Light of Christ. Free me from darkness and keep me in the Light of Your Truth. The Light of Jesus has scattered the darkness of hatred and sin. Called to that Light, I ask for Your guidance. Form my life in Your Truth, my heart in Your Love. Through the Holy Eucharist, give me the power of Your Grace that I may walk in the Light of Jesus and serve Him faithfully. Amen”
A Prayer for God’s Light to Shine: “Lord, thank you for this day. I ask that you would guide my path today and, more specifically, my thoughts, words and actions. Please be with me throughout the day and help me navigate whatever comes my way. Most importantly, help me to reflect your light and live out my life in a way that is honoring to You. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.”
A Prayer for Light in the Darkness: “Lord, you light my lamp; my God, you illuminate my darkness. May your light of hope shine in the darkness for families today. Show us glimpses of your presence with us and the comfort you bring. In the busyness of today, help us to take a moment to be still and sit with you. In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
A Prayer for Light to Shine Through: “Lord Jesus, I don’t want to add to the world’s darkness; I want to shine your light through my life. The darkness can be fearsome, but you have told us not to fear, because you have overcome the world and the darkness cannot douse your light. It’s in the matchless name of Jesus that I pray. Amen.”
A Litany of Light (composed by Dr. Carrie Gress; featured in the National Catholic Register, 2017):
- Lord, have mercy on us.
R. Christ, have mercy on us.
V. Lord, have mercy on us.
R. Christ, graciously hear us.
V. God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Christ, Light of the World, hear us.
Holy Trinity, source of all light, illuminate the darkness in our world:
To the minds of those dimmed by sin, bring your light.
To the hearts of those gripped by pornography, bring your light.
To those suffering depression or mental illness, bring your light.
To the souls enslaved by substance abuse, bring your light.
To those burdened by same-sex attraction, bring your light.
To those gripped by anxiety and fear, bring your light.
To the hearts of those who mourn, bring your light.
To the souls and bodies of abusers and the abused, bring your light.
To those with no place to call home, bring your light.
To those intent on killing in the name of God, bring your light.
To abortion clinics, bring your light.
To brothels and human-trafficking locations, bring your light.
To hospitals, pharmacies and nursing homes, bring your light.
To classrooms of despair, confusion and falsehood, bring your light.
To violent and drug-infested streets, bring your light.
To war-torn territories, bring your light.
To lands darkened, flooded, or destroyed by natural disasters, bring your light.
Wherever there is confusion, despair, loneliness and anger, bring your light.
- Light of the World, who takes away the sins of the world,
R. spare us, O Lord.
V. Light of the World, who takes away the sins of the world,
R. graciously hear us, O Lord.
V. Light of the World, who takes away the sins of the world,
R. have mercy on us. Amen.
Various Prayers for the Light of Scripture:
“Holy and gracious God, may your Holy Spirit give us a spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that, with the eyes of our hearts enlightened, we may know the hope to which Christ has called us, the riches of his glorious inheritance among us, and the greatness of his power for those who believe. Amen.”
“Eternal God, your Spirit inspired those who wrote the Bible and enlightens us to hear your Word fresh each day. Help us to rely always on your promises in Scripture. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.”
“Almighty God, by your Holy Spirit, illumine the sacred page, we pray, that our minds may be open to receive your Word, our hearts taught to love it, and our wills strengthened to obey it; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
“God, source of all light, by your Word, you give light to the soul. Pour out on us the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, that our hearts and minds may be opened to know your truth and your way. Amen.”
A Prayer for Light at the Birth of Jesus: “Your Nativity, O Christ our God, has shone to the world the Light of knowledge; for by it, those who worshipped the stars were taught by a star to adore You, the Sun of Righteousness, and to know You, the Dayspring2 from on High. O Lord, glory to You!”
A Prayer for Light at the Transfiguration: “You were transfigured on the Mount, Christ God, revealing Your glory to Your disciples, insofar as they could comprehend. Illuminate us sinners also with Your everlasting light, through the intercessions of the Theotokos. Giver of light, Jesus Christ, glory to You.”
Prayers for Light at the Transfiguration:
“O Christ, upon the mountaintop you let the light of your face shine over Moses and Elijah,
— we ask your blessing upon the Jewish people; of old you called them to be your chosen nation.
Lord, in your light may we see light.
O Christ, you gave light to the world when the glory of the Creator arose over you,
— we pray for people of good will that they may walk in your light.
Lord, in your light may we see light.
O Christ, you will reform our lowly body and make it like your glorious one,
— we pray for our brothers and sisters who have died that they may share in your glory for ever.
Lord, in your light may we see light.”
Final Blessing for the Light of God’s Face to Shine upon Us: “May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; may the Lord turn His face towards you and give you peace.” (The Blessing of Aaron, as dictated by the Lord; Numbers 6:24-26).