Hallowtide, encompasses the three days of All Hallows Eve, All Saints Day and All Souls Day. Contrary to the popular culture of Halloween, this is a time for celebrating the lives of the saints who have gone before us and the hope of Jesus – The Light of the World – who has overcome the darkness.
Here are a few reflections and scriptures to guide your prayers this week.
All Hallows Eve: 31 October
Ask for God’s blessing and protection from the evil in the world. Claim the victory over the darkness.
In the past people would join in by lighting candles to extinguish the darkness. They sometimes dressed up in saintly and evil spirit costumes to act out the battle of good and evil.
The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. John 1: 4-6
We know we love God’s children if we love God and obey his commandments. Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome. For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God. 1 John 5: 2-5
“I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12
But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armour of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. 1 Thess 5:7
Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. Ephesians 6 NKJV
All Saints Day: 1 November
Remembering the saints in our lives – those past and present who have shown us The Light – Jesus. Remembering our call to live holy lives so that we will be saints through whom others see the Jesus and know his light in their lives and his victory over darkness.
The early church Martyrs were honoured with a day of remembrance but with the persecution of the church in the Roman Empire there were more martyrs than days of the year and so began the tradition of a day of remembrance of all who had died. Christians would spend the night in prayer thinking about the good lives of those that had died and praying that they might be like them. It was one of the most holiest days of the year. It also became a recommended day for baptism.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Hebrews 12:1
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. Ephesians 6:18-20 NKJV
Praise the Lord. Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of his saints. Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; let the people of Zion be glad in their King. Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with timbrel and harp. For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory. Let his faithful saints rejoice in this honour and sing for joy on their beds. Psalm 149
All Souls Day: 2 November
Giving thanks for those who have gone to glory, the faithfully departed. Remembering that Jesus has made a way for us to die and rise with him.
In the 4th century this would have been the day when the churches opened the ‘Book of the Dead’ for people to write down the names of loved ones who had died. A day when children would go ‘souling’ singing and begging for cake for which people prepared and gave ‘soul cakes’.
We believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 1 Thess 4:14
Whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. Romans 14:8-9
Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them. 2 Cor 5:14-19
Reflect
- Where do you sense God asking you to stand against the darkness in your life?
- How is the Spirit inviting you to intercede for the world?
- What are you going to do this week to shine the light of Jesus in your family / neighbourhood / church?
