Halloween is an interesting holiday to me in that it is geared toward children, but there’s not much about it that is childlike. I find the concept of trick or treating a little odd when the ones wearing the costumes are still somewhat at an age of innocence yet are dressed up as vampires, zombies, and witches. I’ve also tried to watch a few of my favorite Halloween movies from childhood with Margot and quickly realized they were full of things I wasn’t ready for her to see or ask questions about. My tendency to shelter her is probably also exacerbated by the fact that having lost a parent, my child already has questions about the afterlife that a 5 year old shouldn’t have to wonder about.
I have noticed, however, that the one takeaway from these movies and stories revolving around Halloween that is important for all ages to take note of is that there is strength in numbers. Anytime a character wanders off by themselves, you know it’s time to cue the scary music. The bible tells us, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9). This might explain why witches are usually depicted casting spells in groups or covens. One definition of the word coven is “an assembly or band of usually 13 witches.” The word is ultimately derived from the Latin coventum, meaning a convention or assembly.
During Jesus’s earthly ministry He assembled the twelve disciples. Jesus spent years ministering in their presence, passing on His wisdom, and sharing God’s will for them and all mankind. It was this group of 13 men that were assembled together on the night before Jesus was betrayed when He entrusted them with sharing his commands. There were 13 gathered when Jesus told them to “love one another.” It was in front of his coven of disciples that Jesus laid out the foundation of what our churches should look like. Our eternal assembly in Heaven should be reflected in our churches even if we can only see it through a foggy mirror right now.
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving be made for all people-for kings and those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”
1 Timothy 2:1-2
While the idea of witches casting spells has become Halloween entertainment, Jesus gave Christians the secret to unlock our own powers: PRAYER. Just as witches are portrayed gathering together to grow their powers and cast spells, Christians are asked to assemble as a church body to become stronger. We don’t need a spell book because we have been given the secret to creating a more peaceful world right there on the pages of the living scriptures.
The bible says to pray for ALL people. It also specifically says for those in authority. That doesn’t mean we only pray for our own country’s leaders or just the politicians we side with. We don’t only pray for the bosses we get along with or law enforcement officers we support. We need to pray for them all. The bible tells us that the outcome of praying for ALL people is living peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. Imagine if all Christians combined our “powers” to pray for all people, especially all authority figures, on a daily basis. We don’t need any eye of newt or hair of a virgin to change the world. We only need to band together with prayer.
Love, Molly
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