A Prayer to See God’s Light in the Darkness
By Maggie Meadows Cooper
“You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; My God turns my darkness into light.” - Psalm 18:28 NIV
I sit here at my computer today, wanting to type, but not really knowing what to say. So many things and people are on my heart, with so little that I know to do to help. The world as a whole, as well as our little worlds around us, can look so very dark at times. And so, I do the only thing I can: I go to God’s Word for reassurance of who He is. I remind myself of all that He’s done, and I find hope in all that He is able to do. If you are in that place today, read over this list, mark these verses in your Bible, and know, without a doubt, that these things are true and can be trusted:
The Lord is here in our midst (Zeph. 3:17). In the middle of dark, messy, incredibly painful things. I know that He illuminates the darkness when nothing and no one else can (2 Sam. 22:29).
I know that He will never change, and He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8).
I know that the same Jesus who walked this earth thousands of years ago is here with us now (Matt. 28:20). In our hearts, in our homes, in our day-to-day moments when we invite Him in (Rev. 3:20).
I know that with each year that passes the hard things don’t seem to get any less…maybe even more (Ecc. 7:14). And I know that the Lord has sustained me and those I love through them all (Psalm 54:4).
I know that when I am weak, He is strong (2 Cor. 12:9-10). That when I am weary, He gives me rest (Matt.11:28). That when all else fails, He doesn’t (Josh. 21:45).
I know that when I am afraid, I can trust in Him (Psalm 56:3).
I know that He has been faithful in the past and He will be in the future (Heb. 10:23).
I know that He holds all things together...He holds me together (Col. 1:17).
I know that His power is made perfect in my weakness (2 Cor. 12:9).
I know that He bends down to listen when I pray, so I will never stop (Psalm 116:2).
I know that He hurts when I hurt (Isa. 63:9).
I know that He wants all of us to come to Him (1 Tim. 2:4).
I know that He created me with a purpose that every situation in my life is a part of (Eph. 2:10).
I know that He fights for me if I will only be still (Ex. 14:14).
I know that He is the Rock I can build my life on (Psalm 18:2).
I know that if I grow my roots down into Him my faith will not be shaken when hard things come (Jer. 17:7-8).
I know that the work I do for Him is not in vain (1 Cor. 15:58).
I know that He's real (Rom. 1:19).
I know that His Word is Truth (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
I know that He can make impossible situations possible (Mark 10:27), unbearable situations bearable, and the unthinkable thinkable.
I know that He will be with us wherever we go, that we don’t have to be afraid (Josh 1:9). Ever.
I know that He is the light of the world and darkness cannot overcome Him (John 1:5).
And you can know these things too.
In the verse at the top, David said “my God” and “my darkness” because they were his personally. We all have dark places at times. Hard things can leave us feeling lost and unseen. But you are not lost, and you are not unseen by Jesus. He is the light you are looking for. He is the One, the only One who can make things right in your world. Don’t sit alone in those hard places. Call out to Jesus, your personal Savior, to bring you out of the darkness and into the light with Him. I know He will meet you there.
Let’s pray:
Dear Jesus,
Life can feel so very dark at times, not just for the world around me but for me personally. Help me to turn my eyes to you, to remember the truth of who you are, and to put my hope in you and your Word. Thank you for lighting up my darkness and meeting me where I am.
In your mighty name, Jesus, amen.
Photo credit: Unsplash.com/Paolo Nicolello
Maggie Meadows Cooper is a wife, mom, educator, author, and blogger with a longing for women to grow a heart for Jesus and others. She is the author of the children’s book “Bumper” and blogs at The Little Moments about what the Lord is teaching her through her children and everyday life. She contributes to Blogs by Christian Women, Devotional Diva, She Disciples, and Connecting Ministries. An educator with an M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education from Auburn University (War Eagle!), she has twenty years of experience working with young children. She loves all things chocolate, real Coca-Cola, and lives with her husband, three children, and two rambunctious dogs in Opelika, Alabama.
Editor's Note: We're proud to announce we've just launched a new nighttime companion to Your Daily Prayer: the Your Nightly Prayer devotional. You'll soon be able to subscribe to receive Your Nightly Prayer via email, or as a podcast, but for now you can find it on the website at crosswalk.com/devotionals/your-nightly-prayer. We hope it's a relaxing and soothing way to wind down your day with rich meditations on who God is.
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