30 Days of Prayer for the Harvest
Day 13 – Saturday, January 24, 2026
Read Matthew 5:13-16.
We have seen that 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. Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:16).
What does it look like to let our light shine before men? Jesus makes it clear that shining the light allows people to “see your good works” with the result that they will “glorify your Father in heaven.” There are many ways to let our light shine before others.
In the context of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus has just described in the beatitudes the characteristics of those in the kingdom of heaven. So our light will shine as we live the kingdom attitudes of being:
- poor in Spirit, humbly recognizing our spiritual poverty apart from Christ ( 5:3);
- those who mourn, grieving over sin and receiving the comfort of God in Christ ( 5:4);
- meek, gently exercising restraint ( 5:5);
- those who hunger and thirst for righteousness and being filled by Christ ( 5:6);
- merciful, showing the compassion and kindness of the Lord ( 5:7);
- pure in heart, as those who see God ( 5:8);
- peacemakers, helping others have peace with God as sons of God ( 5:9);
- glad in persecution, as citizens of God’s kingdom ( 5:10-12).
The ultimate purpose of letting our light shine before others is not to draw attention to ourselves or to promote our own interests; rather, it is about living in such a way that others will glorify our Father in heaven. Of course, this is not an easy task. It can be difficult to maintain a spirit of compassion, humility, generosity, and forgiveness in a world that is often characterized by hatred, anger, and division. We may even be met with resistance and opposition (Matt. 10:16; John 15:18). But we are not alone. We have the Holy Spirit within us, and He empowers and guides us to reflect the glory of God.
Today’s Prayer
Father, shine Your light through me as I live the attitudes Jesus taught. Let me show humility, compassion, generosity, holiness, forgiveness, and joy even through affliction and trials in my life.
Let others see my good works, not to make me look good, but so that You will be glorified. May my good works always point others to Jesus. May my words testify that it is the Lord who is at work in and through me.
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
Please take time to share with us a recent opportunity you had to shine Christ’s light in someone’s life. Comment on this post with your story or prayer request.
