Praying with candles is a common practice in many Christian traditions. Lighting candles during prayer can help focus our minds, create a peaceful atmosphere, and symbolize important spiritual truths. Yet what does the Bible actually say about using candles in our prayers? Let’s explore the history of this practice and its meaning in Scripture.
The History of Praying with Candles
Using candles and oil lamps for religious purposes goes back to ancient times. In the Old Testament, candles and lampstands were part of the furnishings in the Tabernacle and Temple for the worship of God. The Jewish Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) involved the lighting of lamps in the Temple to commemorate the rededication of the altar after the Maccabean Revolt (John 10:22).
In the New Testament, we also find evidence that lamps and candles were used in Christian worship settings. For example, the book of Revelation describes seven golden lampstands burning before God’s throne in heaven (Revelation 1:12-13). The visionary language suggests the light of the lamps represents the light of God’s Spirit among his people.
In later centuries, candles came to be used more prominently in Christian rituals and personal devotions. Worship spaces were adorned with candles on the altar, lectern, and other furnishings. Candles lit during Mass symbolized Christ as the Light of the World. The faithful began to light votive candles representing prayers offered to God. By the Middle Ages, the practice of lighting candles in prayer was firmly established in the church.
Biblical Symbolism of Candles
The Bible uses the image of a burning lamp or candle in several key ways that can help us understand their symbolic meaning:
- Candles represent the light and truth of God piercing the darkness (Psalm 18:28).
- They are a picture of the guiding presence of God (Psalm 119:105).
- The burning candle symbolizes the sacrifice and offerings we make to the Lord (Exodus 27:20-21).
- Candles remind us of the light of faith within each believer through the Holy Spirit (Matthew 5:14-16).
Therefore, lighting a candle in prayer helps us visualize offering our prayers to the true light of God. The flickering flame represents our faith and devotion making its humble offering to the Lord. The candle illuminates God’s truth and reminds us of His enlightening presence with us.
Examples of Prayer with Candles
Here are some biblical examples of prayer using candles and lamps that reveal their symbolic meaning:
Hannah’s Prayer for a Son
In 1 Samuel 1, Hannah prays fervently to the Lord for a child, vowing to dedicate him to God’s service. As she pours out her heart, she is weeping and praying before the Temple where a lamp is burning (1 Samuel 1:7-18). The lamp’s light represents God’s presence with Hannah in her distress and the illumination of His truth through her prayer.
King Solomon’s Prayer at the Temple
When Solomon dedicates the newly built Temple in Jerusalem, he holds a solemn assembly with sacrifices, offerings, and prayers. At the climax of his prayer, Solomon spreads out his hands toward heaven with the bronze altar and lampstands burning beside him (2 Chronicles 6:12-42). The lit lamps signify the light of God’s presence descending upon the Temple in response to Solomon’s prayer.
Jesus’ Prayer in Gethsemane
On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus goes to the Garden of Gethsemane to pour out His heart to God in prayer. As He wrestles in agony over His coming death, Jesus asks His disciples to “watch and pray” with Him (Matthew 26:36-46). The need to stay awake and alert through the long night may imply they kept oil lamps burning to sustain them in prayer.
Should Christians Use Candles in Prayer Today?
Candles can be meaningful visual aids in focused prayer and worship. However, the New Testament does not prescribe any required use of candles or ritual forms. The essential thing is to pray with a humble and sincere heart before God.
Here are some guidelines for prayer with candles today:
- Use candles in a way that enhances your focus on Jesus, not as magical charms.
- Let the candle flame represent your inner spiritual light from Christ shining through prayer.
- See the melting wax as a picture of offering yourself and your petitions to the Lord.
- Allow the light to remind you of God’s enlightening truth and presence.
Candles can help direct our prayers heavenward, but we do not need ritual candles to access God’s presence. Jesus Christ alone is our light and refuge, and the Holy Spirit intercedes for us (Romans 8:26-27). Our prayers are made acceptable to God through faith in Christ, by whose blood we have bold access to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:14-16).
Conclusion
The Bible uses rich imagery of burning lamps and candles that symbolize God’s presence, truth, and light spiritually indwelling His people. Praying with candles can visually represent offering the light of our prayers to the Lord. However, biblical prayer emphasizes crying out sincerely to God from the heart. Candles can aid focused prayer, but only Jesus Christ makes our prayers acceptable to God and illuminates our way to the Father.
