A Morning Prayer to Brighten Our Day
By: Lynette Kittle
Bible Reading: “He is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings grass from the earth” - 2 Samuel 23:4
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Even Christians experience times when they feel like they have no good reason to get out of bed in the morning, days when they are dreading another 24 hours, but God has good news each morning. He supplies truth to brighten the day for all who believe in Him.
The wintery, stormy months when darkness covers more hours make days seem never-ending for weeks and months at a time. Christians may find themselves struggling to make it through another day.
But even in the darkest of days, each morning sunrise is a reminder of who God is and the brightness He brings to us. As Psalm 36:9 describes, “For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light.”
He brings light and brightness to our lives each and every day. Because Jesus shines, we have reason to get out of bed each morning, so we don’t have to look around for a bright spot somewhere else in the world to motivate us.
Jesus Is Our Bright and Morning Star
Many believers in Christ have an unclear understanding of God’s divine character, often being influenced by the dark lords portrayed in films and books, but God isn’t dark and despairing, looming over us to keep us in check.
Rather, as Revelation 22:16 records, He is far from darkness: “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”
In Jesus, there is no darkness, none to be found, ever. As Revelation 21:23 reveals, in heaven, “The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.”
Every day, Jesus shines brightly as the Bright and Morning Star, and because He does, we’re given the opportunity to shine, too, no matter our daily situation or circumstances
Transformed by Jesus’ Light
During Jesus’ transfiguration on earth, we are given a glimpse of the light that shines from Him: “There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light” (Matthew 17:2).
As 2 Corinthians 4:6 explains, “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.”
As Jesus shines brightly, His light transforms us from the inside out, like Ephesians 5:8 describes: “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.”
Called to Live as Children of Light
As children of light, Jesus reminds us when we rise in the morning, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14).
Belonging to Jesus means that we’re called to let His light shine through us because by doing so, God is glorified. “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
Even on days that seem dreary and dark, or if darkness should cover the whole earth, we have His light shining within and through us, leading and guiding us in life. “When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’” (John 8:12).
Let’s Pray:
Dear Father, We praise You, O Lord, for Jesus, our Bright and Morning Star, who shines His light through the darkness of this world into our hearts. Fill our mouths each day to sing Your praises as we witness and experience Jesus’ brightness shine through the morning sunrises and after the rains that nourish our earth. Help us to look to Him each and every day to brighten our days and to shine His light brightly through us so that You may be glorified. Let His light shine through us to reach and encourage those around us who are held captive in darkness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/kieferpix
Lynette Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, StartMarriageRight.com, and more. She has a M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as associate producer for Soul Check TV.
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