Remembering the Faithful: Nightly Prayer for November 1

Remembering the Faithful Who Came Before Us

By Sophia Bricker

TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us (Hebrews 12:1, NLT)

SOMETHING TO PONDER

During a time of illness, I found encouragement from a woman I had never met. We did not have much in common from outward observations since we were separated by lifetimes and location. Yet, when I suffered from anemia in college, enduring iron infusions and surgery, the life of Amy Carmichael ministered to me. She was an Irish woman who served as a missionary in Japan and India; yet her faithful endurance and trust in the Lord during times of hardship inspired me when life appeared bleak. One of my favorite quotes from her is: “Hardly a life that goes deep but has tragedy somewhere within it.”

Choosing to honor and remember those who have gone before us in the race of life provides us with examples that encourage us as we walk with Christ today. The author of Hebrews describes these faithful followers as a “crowd’ or “cloud” of witnesses. Although commentators offer various theological interpretations of what this means, the passage presents an image of a crowd cheering on the participants as they actively run the race. Not only have they trodden the same path we are currently on, but they have left behind patterns and wisdom we can follow.

Part of the Christian life is learning to imitate those who wholeheartedly follow the Lord. The Apostle Paul encouraged this practice when he told the Corinthians, “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1, NASB). We can do this through observing people in our lives and learning from those who came before us. Maybe that is through the memory of our grandmother's devotion or the prayer life of a cousin. Or that could include gleaning inspiration from the saints of old, learning from individuals such as Francis of Assisi, Harriet Tubman, C. S. Lewis, Julian of Norwich, or Martin Luther King Jr.

Whether we turn to those around us or to Christ-followers of the past, these individuals prove to be instructive friends who remind us of what it looks like to follow our Lord. How great it will be to join that cloud of witnesses, one day meeting all those who encouraged us along the way and adding our voice to their praises of Jesus.

YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER

I am grateful that I am never alone in this walk of faith. Even when I feel alone, a single candle in a void of darkness, others are bearing forth Your light. Lord, so many have journeyed before me, leaving an example of what it means to love You wholeheartedly. Help me learn from their lives, applying the wisdom they teach so that I may be a more illuminating vessel for Your Kingdom. And I thank You for all the memories I have of those in my life who followed You devotedly. I wait with anticipation for the day I will join them and the other saints in praising Your glorious name in eternity. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON

1. A time when someone cheered you on in life. Who did this, and how did they encourage you? How might the reminder of this person give you a clearer picture of the role of the “cloud of witnesses” in Hebrews 11 and 12?

2. One of the faithful followers of God from Scripture or Christian history who inspires you. What specifically stands out to you about their story?

3. The image of a group of candles. These are often used during All Saints’ Day services to remember those who came before us. What is a practical step you can take this week to honor someone in your life, past or present, who has helped you grow in Christ? In what way can this remind you that you are not alone?

Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.

Sophia Bricker Sophia Bricker is a writer. Her mission is to help others grow in their relationship with Jesus through thoughtful articles, devotionals, and stories. She completed a BA and MA in Christian ministry, which included extensive study of the Bible and theology, as well as an MFA in creative writing. You can read her thoughts about the intersection of literature and faith at The Cross, a Pen, and a Page Substack, visit her author Facebook page, or browse the discipleship-based site Cultivate, where she writes with her sister.