Day 26: Let Your Light Shine
40 Days of Prayer & Fasting
Prayer Focus: Reflecting Jesus to Others
“Let your light shine before others…”
Matthew 5:16 ESV
Yesterday our prayer was:
“Jesus, make my life a witness for You.”
Today we continue that thought:
“Lord, let people see Jesus through me.”
Being a witness isn't only about what we say. Our lives should also demonstrate the reality of the Gospel we proclaim.
Jesus calls His followers “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14).
Light was never meant to be hidden.
Let Them See
Jesus says:
“…that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16 ESV
Notice the purpose.
People see the works, but God receives the glory.
The goal isn't for people to look at us and think we're impressive Christians.
The goal is for our lives to point beyond ourselves and toward Jesus.
How we love.
How we forgive.
How we serve.
How we respond when we're mistreated.
How we handle difficulty.
How we treat people who can do nothing for us.
All of these can become opportunities for the light of Christ to shine.
Don't Hide the Light
Jesus describes the absurdity of lighting a lamp and then hiding it under a basket.
Yet sometimes fear causes us to do exactly that spiritually.
We don't want to stand out.
We worry about what someone might think.
We hesitate to mention Jesus.
But Jesus didn't save us so that our faith would remain hidden.
We were called to shine.
Not arrogantly.
Not judgmentally.
Not so people notice us.
But with humility, compassion, truth, and love so that people encounter something of Christ through us.
Today's Prayer Focus
Let Your Light Shine Through Me
Make my life reflect the character of Jesus.
Give Me Boldness
Keep fear from causing me to hide my faith.
Make My Actions Match My Words
Let the way I live support the Gospel I proclaim.
Receive the Glory
Keep my heart humble so everything points back to You.
Today's Prayer
Father, thank You for calling me to represent Jesus.
Let Your light shine through my words, attitudes, actions, and relationships.
Give me courage to live my faith openly and compassionately.
Help me love people well, serve without needing recognition, forgive quickly, and speak about Jesus without fear.
Keep pride out of my heart.
I don't want people simply to notice me.
I want them to see Jesus through me.
In Jesus' name, amen.
Additional Scriptures
Matthew 5:14–16
Philippians 2:14–16
Ephesians 5:8–10
1 Peter 2:12
Today's Challenge
Ask yourself:
“What would it look like for the light of Jesus to shine through me today?”
Then intentionally do one thing that reflects Christ to someone else.
Serve.
Encourage.
Forgive.
Give.
Speak about Jesus.
And when the opportunity comes, let your life point beyond yourself to Him.
Day 25: Jesus, make my life a witness for You.
Day 26: Lord, let people see Jesus through me.
