30 Days of Prayer for the Harvest
Day 12 – Friday, January 23, 2026
Read Matthew 5:13-16.
Jesus taught His disciples,
14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16).
God has called us to be “the light of the world“, pointing people to the way to salvation through Jesus and exposing the depths of the evil of sin that He died to save them from.
John 3:19-20 says, “And this is the condemnation, that light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds where evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.” But people who love sin hate that light! They want to snuff it out! And so, we are often tempted to try and hide it.
The light in us, that has Jesus as its source, can’t be hidden. It’s silly to even try. Jesus says, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matt. 5:14). He compares us with a huge city that is situated high on a hilltop. At night, a city on a hill shines its light in all directions from an elevated position. The light can be seen far and wide, illuminating the way for many travelers and showing them which way to go. Paul wrote, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light” (Eph. 5:8).
Jesus also teaches, “Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house” (Matt. 5:15). When we, who bear the light of the world, try to hide it from the world, we’re working in a manner that is very much contrary to our intended design! How foolish we would be to try to do that! There is no such thing as covert Christianity or clandestine discipleship. We must not hide our devotion to Christ. Instead, we are to remain humble while doing everything we can to attract, influence, and guide others toward the truth.
That leads us, then, to the command. It’s the only command found in a passage that is, otherwise, focused on simply telling us what we are. Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Because of what we are in Christ, we are called to live in this world and behave like what we are! We are commanded by our Savior to behave as salt on this earth and as light in the world because God has provided no other salt or light for the world than us. What a great honor, but what a great obligation!
Isn’t it wonderful that Jesus doesn’t command us to become light? We couldn’t possibly do that. He has already made us to be light. And isn’t it also wonderful that He doesn’t command us to climb up on the lampstand? He’s the one who puts us where He wants us to be. All He commands us to do is shine, and not try to hide the light.
Tomorrow, we will talk about what it looks like to let our light shine before men.
Today’s Prayer
Father, what a privilege You have given us to be light in this world. May we not be afraid to let our light shine. May we be careful not to try to hide it or be ashamed of the light of Christ, for we know that this gospel light is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes.
Fill us with Your Holy Spirit daily so that we will walk in the light as Christ is in the light. Cause us to live as children of the light. Make us holy and pure lamps that shine brightly.
As I think about people on my prayer list today, show me how I can shine the light of Christ for them. Make me faithful to obey what You have shown me.
Amen.
Today’s Action
Share with us a recent opportunity you had to shine Christ’s light in someone’s life. Simply comment on this post to share what God is doing in your heart and life.
At prayer meeting Wednesday, someone shared about talking to a physical therapist during their session about church and sermons. Pray for the therapist, Sammi; she is unchurched. Pray for us to recognize and make the most of opportunities like this.
