Hanukkah Scriptural Readings

Then the Angel of God, who was leading the people of Israel, moved the cloud around behind them, and it stood between the people of Israel and the Egyptians. And that night, as it changed to a pillar of fire, it gave darkness to the Egyptians but light to the people of Israel! So the Egyptians couldn’t find the Israelis! Exodus 14:19 (This gives a whole new meaning to hiding us from our enemies.)

Lord, blind our enemies in the spiritual realm so that as we escape from the systems of idolatry and slavery and help us to bask in the light of your power and love.

The Lord is my light and my salvation; he protects me from danger—whom shall I fear? When evil men come to destroy me, they will stumble and fall! Yes, though a mighty army marches against me, my heart shall know no fear! I am confident that God will save me. Psalm 27:1

Lord, take away my fear, impart confidence and your strength to me.

    The word of the Lord is true. He shields all who hide behind him. Our Lord alone is God; We have no other Savior. God is my strong fortress; He has made me safe. 2 Samuel 22:29 

Lord, make the darkness that surrounds us bright.  Give us the power to crush our enemies.  Let your strength fill us so we can leap over the obstacles in our path.  We decree you are our shield; our strong fortress and YOU have made us safe. 

4. The Rock of Israel said to me:‘ One shall come who rules righteously, Who rules in the fear of God. He shall be as the light of the morning; A cloudless sunrise. When the tender grass springs forth upon the earth; As sunshine after rain.’ And it is my family He has chosen! Yes, God has made an everlasting covenant with me;His agreement is eternal, final, sealed. He will constantly look after my safety and success. 

Lord, you are the ONE who rules righteously and are our Light of the Morning. You have chosen    our family.  We rest in YOUR everlasting covenant that is eternal, final, sealed.  Thank you for looking after our safety and success.  

5.      He did not let me die. I will go on living in the realm of light.’  “Yes, God often does these things for man—brings back his soul from the pit, so that he may live in the light of the living. Job 33:28     

Thank you Lord for helping us to live in YOUR realm of light.  Thank you for delivering our soul for the pit so that we may live in the light of your grace. 

6.      For you are the Fountain of life; our light is from your light. Pour out your unfailing love on those who know you! Never stop giving your blessings to those who long to do your will.   Psalm 36:9

Thank you God for the blessing of living in a Fountain of Life from YOUR Son.  Let it pour down upon our body, souls and spirits. Your Spirit and Word are Liquid, Living Light… Amen 

7. Trust him to help you do it, and he will.  Your innocence will be clear to everyone. He will vindicate you with the blazing light of justice shining down as from the noonday sun. Psalm 36:9

Lord, Vindicate us with the blazing light of YOUR justice.  Let it shine down on us as the noonday sun.  Amen 

8. Oh, send out your light and your truth—let them lead me. Let them lead me to your Temple on your holy mountain, Zion. There I will go to the altar of God, my exceeding joy, and praise him with my harp. O God—my God! O my soul, why be so gloomy and discouraged? Trust in God! I shall again praise him for his wondrous help; he will make me smile again, for he is my God! Psalm 43:

Lord, thank you for sending us your light and your truth.  Help me to smile again and take away my gloom and discouragement.  Amen

9. For Jehovah God is our Light and our Protector. He gives us grace and glory. No good thing will he withhold from those who walk along his paths. Psalm 84:11

Thank you, Lord, for being our Light and Protector.  Let the darkness that encroaches upon our path be filled with the Light of your Presence.  Amen

10. Your throne is founded on two strong pillars—the one is Justice and the other Righteousness. Mercy and Truth walk before you as your attendants. Our power is based on your favor! Yes, our protection is from the Lord himself and he, the Holy One of Israel, has given us our king. Psalm 89:14 

Lord, let your Justice, Righteousness, mercy and truth attend our souls.  Let us walk in the light of your presence.  Our power is based only on YOUR favor. You are our King! 

11. The Lord loves those who hate evil; he protects the lives of his people and rescues them from the wicked. Light is sown for the godly and joy for the good. May all who are godly be happy in the Lord and crown him, our holy God. Psalm 97:10 

Thank you for sowing light and goodness to us.  We crown you Lord of our lives.  Amen 

12. When I sit in darkness, the Lord himself will be my Light.  Micah 7:7 

Thank you, Lord, for being my Light as I sit in the darkness of this evil world, let NOT my flesh rebel against your word and do not let the Devil triumph over me for I cling to your revelation to make my feet steady and sure. 

13. I see God moving across the deserts from Mount Sinai. His brilliant splendor fills the earth and sky; his glory fills the heavens, and the earth is full of his praise! What a wonderful God he is! From his hands flash rays of brilliant light. He rejoices in his awesome power. Habakkuk 3:3 

Let us remember your power and strength as our Creator and Father.  We CAN trust in you.  Amen

14..     All this will be because the mercy of our God is very tender, and heaven’s dawn is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and death’s shadow, and to guide us to the path of peace.” Luke 1:72 

Lord, you sent Heaven’s dawn when you sent your Son.  Let His light come to those of our family that sit in darkness and death’s shadow and guide us into your path of peace.  Amen. 

15..  “Lord,” he said, “now I can die content! For I have seen him as you promised me I would. I have seen the Savior you have given to the world. He is the Light that will shine upon the nations, and he will be the glory of your people Israel!”       

We honor you during Hanukah as the Light of the World and our Savior and Lord.  We declare Him the glory of the people of Israel. 

16.     God sent John the Baptist as a witness to the fact that Jesus Christ is the true Light. John himself was not the Light; he was only a witness to identify it.  Later on, the one who is the true Light arrived to shine on everyone coming into the world. John 1:5

Lord, let the world see your Son as the Light of the World.  Bless ALL those who carry the good news around the world, those who serve in your name, and those who life righteously for your namesake.  Amen