A Call to Prayer for Our Families

Dear church family,

Halloween is an interesting season for families. Everywhere you go, whether to stores, schools, businesses, or simply down the street where you live, people seem to be in a “festive” mood.

For Christian families, especially parents and their children, the question arises: Do we participate? Do we celebrate? Or do we stand firmly against it?

The short answer is no: Christians should not celebrate Halloween. However, there is much more to this conversation than simply deciding whether or not to participate.

As already mentioned in a previous letter this month, there is significant disagreement, both in our culture and even within the church, about how Christians should respond.

Some believe it is a matter of Christian liberty. After all, what is wrong with children enjoying some extra candy and having fun with costumes? Others are concerned about the darkness and death associated with Halloween. Some point to the disturbing imagery, gore, and sexualization that often accompany the celebration.

The question becomes: How should Christian parents respond in a way that is faithful to God's Word?

As parents, one of the greatest responsibilities entrusted to us is to raise our children in the ways of the Lord. Scripture calls parents to cultivate a deep relationship with God, to love Him wholeheartedly, and then to pass that devotion on to their children.

Deuteronomy 6:5–7 says:

"You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children."

Deuteronomy 6 describes a lifestyle shaped by God's Word, where teaching our children is not limited to formal instruction but becomes part of our everyday lives. This lifestyle is about more than simply raising children who make good moral decisions. It is about raising children who know and love Jesus Christ. Children who understand that their greatest problem is sin, their greatest need is reconciliation with God, and their only hope of salvation is found in Jesus Christ.

While Scripture does not specifically address the modern celebration of Halloween, it provides biblical principles to guide our decisions.

Rather than simply asking for dos and don’ts during Halloween, I would like to encourage every family to spend time in prayer, seeking God's wisdom on how to instruct and train their children to love Him more.

Below are four areas in which I believe we should seek God's wisdom.

1. Pray for opportunities to teach our children about spiritual realities.

As Pastor Sergey mentioned in his October 1 letter:

"Let the approach of Halloween become an opportunity to talk with our children about spiritual realities. Explain to them that we should not romanticize evil."

During Halloween, are we taking advantage of the conversations surrounding death, darkness, and evil to teach our children about spiritual realities? Are we helping them understand the difference between good and evil? Are we teaching them that God is greater than death, darkness, and all evil, and that Jesus Christ has conquered sin and death?

Are we intentional about teaching our children to think biblically about cultural issues?

Let us pray that God would open our eyes to opportunities to teach our children His truth.

2. Pray that our families would seek to glorify God in everything we do.

1 Corinthians 10:31 says:

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
Whether I go on a missionary trip or spend a day boating, whether I am at work, at home, or serving in church, everything I do should be motivated by a desire to honor and glorify God.
When considering whether or not to participate in Halloween, will my children clearly see that my decision comes from a desire to honor Jesus?

If I choose not to participate, will they see biblical conviction or simply disinterest, fear, or perhaps even laziness? If I decide to participate in certain activities, is my decision motivated by a desire to honor God, or by peer pressure and a desire to fit in?

Let us pray that God would give us hearts that desire to honor Him in everything we do.

3. Pray for opportunities to share the gospel with our neighbors.

It turns out that Halloween is an event unlike many others. It brings strangers and neighbors right to our doorsteps.

One of the greatest struggles Christians face in evangelism is stepping outside their comfort zones to share their faith.

Well, believe it or not, on Halloween, those very people may come knocking on your door!

And whose door are they knocking on? The door of a home where Christ is worshiped! A home where God's truth is treasured and His love is demonstrated! They have come right into your “comfort zone”!

Is there an opportunity for our families to share our faith with those who come to our homes? Could this occasion become an opportunity for something far greater than simply handing out candy?

There is no single approach that will work for every family. Every family will need to exercise discernment based on their circumstances, the ages of their children, and how Halloween is celebrated in their community.

For some families, this might mean simply praying for the neighbors who come to their doors. For others, it might mean welcoming visitors with generosity, offering good candy, and sharing gospel tracts or invitations to church.

Let us pray that God would give us a heart for the lost.

4. Pray that we would practice love toward fellow believers who hold different convictions.

There is a temptation to become judgmental toward those who see things differently or make decisions different from our own.

In Romans 14, Paul addresses disagreements among believers concerning food and the observance of certain days. Some believers felt free to participate in certain practices, while others abstained because of their convictions.

Paul reminds them that their decisions should be made before the Lord and that they should not despise or pass judgment on one another over matters of conscience.

Paul points out in Romans 14:17:

"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."

When it comes to Halloween, Christians may reach different conclusions about which activities are appropriate.

For one family, handing out candy with the intention of sharing the gospel may simply be an opportunity for evangelism, without any intention of celebrating Halloween or participating in its spiritual practices. For another family, especially someone who has come out of a background involving occult practices, that same activity may carry a very different meaning and raise serious concerns of conscience.

Of course, Christian liberty never gives us permission to participate in what Scripture clearly identifies as sin. But not every activity associated with Halloween is necessarily sinful in itself.
Am I teaching my children to respect the convictions of other believers, pursue peace, and show love even when we make different decisions?

Romans 14:19 says:

"So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding."

Let us pray that God would help us pursue what makes for peace and mutual upbuilding.

A Final Encouragement

Dear church, parents, children, grandparents, and everyone reading this letter,

As we approach Halloween, let us prayerfully consider the opportunities God has placed before us.

Opportunities to teach our children about spiritual realities.

Opportunities to train them to think biblically.

Opportunities to share the gospel with our neighbors.

Opportunities to demonstrate love toward fellow believers.

But to recognize and make the most of these opportunities, we desperately need God's wisdom, and that should drive us to prayer.

I am reminded of Paul's prayer for the believers in Philippians 1:9–11:

"And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God."

May our families grow in love for Christ. May our children learn to treasure His Word. May God give us discernment to make wise decisions, courage to share the gospel, and humility to love one another.

Do not let this October pass without prayerfully considering the opportunities God has placed before your family.

May the Lord grant us wisdom to raise our children for His glory.

Continue supporting the churches working among the people who have suffered from the war in Ukraine.

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”"
Psalm 91:1-2