How To Pray With Candles And Water: What Does The Bible Say About Such Practices?

In this article, we bring you not only how to pray with candles and water, but also what the bible says about praying with candles and water.
How To Pray With Candles And Water

There's been many requests sent me by many Christians, seeking to know how to pray with candles and water. If you're one of them and you're interested in knowing about praying with candles and water, please read on. I believe by the time you're done reading this article, you will learn a thing or two.

The practice of praying with candles and water has been in existence for centuries—in many religions of the world. But before we proceed further to start praying with candles and water, it is important we see from the holy Bible, whether this practice is permitted and recommended for Christians or not. I believe no genuine Christian would want to practice what is not documented and approved in the holy Scriptures.

Proverbs 20:27 KJV
The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.

For proper understanding on the essence of praying with candles and water, In this article, we will discuss the following: 

  • Power of praying with candles
  • Is it biblical to pray with candles
  • Which colour candles to use when praying
  • How to pray with a yellow candle
  • Praying with candles and incense

I have noticed that the practice of praying with candles is becoming more popular, rampant and widely accepted in many Christian circles as days go by. It is in fact, fast becoming a norm in many Christian churches. So don't be surprised if you happen to meet certain prophets and preachers who prescribe that you pray with candles, incense and water for blessings, and in order to find the solution to your spiritual challenges.

Different Christians have different opinions concerning praying with candles and water. For some Christians, it is an acceptable practice (and they do their best to dig out scriptures to validate their claims). But some Christians are very reserved on the subject matter.

If you're reading this, I presume you have many questions already, concerning the subject matter. And for those of you who are eagerly waiting for me to give you a guide on praying with candles and water (and probably give prayer points), I'll like to answer for you a couple of questions below, then we can go from there.

Is it good to pray with candle? It is not really about whether it is good or bad to engage in any spiritual practice. It is more about whether it is scriptural or not. It's about whether Jesus Christ would tell His followers to pray with candles or not—if He walked the earth today.

We must understand that spiritual things are not what people should toy with or ignorantly and carelessly dabble into—when they don't fully understand what they're getting themselves into. We must be sure we know what we're doing and be intentional about it—and be ready to face the repercussions (if there is any attached). Above all, we must always ensure we do only what God wants us to do.

So let me quickly throw this question on you: Does God want you to pray with candles and water? Did He instruct you to do so? 


Is it biblical to pray with candles? There is no scripture in the holy Bible that justifies or approves of the act of praying with candles. Catholics, witches, new-agers, shamans, Jews, some Protestants, Buddhists and Hindus all make use of candles during their worship services. This is clearly where the practice of praying with candles, water and incense stemmed from. Besides that, these religions aren't all worshipping the same God. The fact that it is practised by different religions does not automatically mean that the Christian God approves of it.


Praying With Candles And Water


A candle itself isn't sinful. Using a candle to provide light in our homes isn't a sin. But praying with candles and water is way beyond the conventional use of candles, some of which are as follows:

  1. People light candles during funerals in memory of a loved one. 
  2. People light candles during birthdays. 
  3. In the absence of electricity, candles can be used to light up homes.
  4. Candles are also used during wedding ceremonies. 

These are all non-religious use of candles. But when it comes to our communion and relationship with God, we cannot do just anything we feel like doing. God never said we can worship Him anyhow. We cannot worship God the way we feel like or want to, but only according to His specifications. There are laid down scriptural principles on how a Christian should commune with their God.

Some are often quick to point out that candles were used during worship and prayers in the Bible—so for this reason—they too can do the same. But let us see from scriptures how candles were actually used:

Observe that some concepts in the Bible are illustrated using candles or fire. In the Old Testament, candles (and lamps) were lit before the Lord in the tabernacle, and then, in the temple (See Lev. 24: 3-4). Although the light from the candles and lamps was a symbol of the way God illuminates life, reveals hidden mysteries and knows the hidden intentions of the human heart, the power wasn't in the candles; but in God Himself.

Note that, candles were neither used as a point of contact with God during prayers in the temples, nor as indispensable part of the procedure required for offering sacrifices in the tabernacle. Candles were not used for connecting with God. Because there reside no power in them, they were not used to make prayers more effective (as some Christians presume today).

In the homes of the prophets of old, and that of the Apostles and disciples of Jesus Christ, candles were used—not for prayers but for lighting. If they had electricity like we do today, majority of them wouldn't even have a candle in their homes. I'm yet to find a scripture where the old testament prophets and the Apostles instructed followers of God to use candles, water, salt and incenses while offering their prayers to God Almighty.

The use of incense in prayer, for instance, is a practice rooted in Judaism—popular during the time of the second Jewish temple. The smoke rising from the incense was a symbol of the prayers offered rising to heaven. Note that, “it was a symbol,” not a spell or mantra that boosted prayer. It didn't give extra power to people's prayers . If a person's prayer doesn't meet God's required standard, lighting a candle still won't make it rise up to Heaven anyway. 


Also be reminded that Jesus Christ came as the perfect sacrifice for the remission of the sins of man—thereby making the existence of the Jewish temple and all its ordinances (including the lighting of candles, burning of incenses and animal sacrifices) obsolete!

Some claim that candles are used during prayer in hope to bring light in a dark situationand bring light to someone's life. But the question is, do we really need such a light in our spiritual lives—after all that the Bible says about us being the light—and after the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus on the cross?

Let us see... 

1. God Is Light. Jesus Is Light And He Lives In Us


God is the supernatural living light source that powers all forms of life. He is Light Supreme—the most powerful and extraordinary light any man can have. He is able to light up and dispel every form of darkness in your life. 

1 John 1:5 NIV
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.
John 1:4-5 NKJV
In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 

So if we have such a powerful light living within us, why then should we need an artificial light from a candle? Or which sane human would rather prefer a fake to genuine? 

2. Christians Are The Light Of The World


Since God Himself is light, the sons and daughters of God can't be any different. As a lion doesn't give birth to a goat, light doesn't birth darkness. 

Matthew 5:14 KJV
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

God is light and the Bible says that He lights up everyone He sends to the earth (John 1:9). If you are saved and filled with His Holy Spirit, you are a lightbearer. Your light is so bright and powerful to the extent God even expects you to give back that light in its intensity, to the dark places of the world

Philippians 2:15 ESV
That you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world. 

The Bible says that the spirit of man is the candle of the Lord (Proverbs 20:27). When the Psalmist asked the Lord to light his candle (Psalm 18:28), he was requesting to be activated to function optimally as a son of God and light bearer that he is. So why would Christians resort to using a light from a man-made source—when they themselves are the candles of God—expected to bring light and life to every dead situation in their life and the lives of those around them? Should we say that some Christians still don't know who they are in Christ? Well! 

When our Lord Jesus manifested in the flesh, he declared that he is the light of the world. The old testament as a whole points to Jesus Christ:

John 5:39 NKJV
You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.

The prophets of old were all looking forward to the manifestation of that Light—Jesus Christ in human flesh:

Luke 10:24 ESV
For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”

Now that the true, supreme Light has come (John 1: 3-5), symbols like candles are no longer needed—neither in prayer nor any form of fellowship with God. 

Power Of Praying With Candles


First of all, for anyone to believe that there is power in praying with candles, that's an error! There is no power in praying with candles. The practice of praying with candles was popularised by the Catholics. It is obvious that this is a borrowed practice from the Hindus, new-agers, Buddhists, shamans, Wicans, etc. The fact that a pagan practice is polished, modernised and sold to the world, does not make it scriptural. God has not yet modified His principles to accommodate just anything people want to do. 

I know that some Christians would say, “since the Catholics practice it, that means there is nothing wrong with it.” But sorry to disappoint, there is a lot that is wrong with it. 

I don't know how many Catholics some of you have met. Most of the Catholics I've come across have always made it clear that they are “Catholics,” and not “Christians.” They always carefully make a clear distinction between Catholics and Christians with that statement. And truly, Catholicism is a standalone religion; just like Buddhism, Hinduism and the like. It is dangerous for any Christian to adopt the practices of religions of the world into their walk with God. 

Any practice that is common among different religions of the world should be treated with caution by Christians. Whatever is widely embraced, agreed on and practised by different religions often turns out to be the wrong thing to do. I believe any wise Christian would always have a second thought when it comes to getting involved in whatever religious people are doing. 

If Satanists light candles during their rituals, and Christians also do the same during their prayers, what then is the difference between the two groups? 

Except you are intentionally practicing witchcraft and magic—and you know that for sure—then you can go on with lightning your candles and doing whatever you want. But if you are a genuine Christian, for your own safety, you should question and avoid spiritual practices that are not rooted in the holy scriptures. 

At least, we've seen how the early Church was established and built in the book of Acts. But we've not seen any mention of the use of candles, salt, water and incenses worship sessions or during prayer. 

The most important thing you need in order to be close to God and receive from Him is faith. There are principles for answered prayers laid down in scriptures—and lighting candles during prayer, burning of incenses, praying with water and salt is not part of them. 

Recommended:

Praying With Candles And Incense


There is no biblical basis for anyone who is saved and filled with the Holy Spirit to pray with candles and incense. I don't get how we can be different from magicians, witches and warlocks, if we do the same things they do. 

Praying With Candles And Water And Snuff


We cannot bring just anything into our Christian faith and expect God to endorse it. If we think God will accept just anything, then we truly don't know the God we profess to worship. In Christianity, our God sets the rules, we don't. We only obediently follow the rules. 

1 John 4:1 ESV
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Even if a voice instructed you to pray with candles and water and snuff, as a Christian, we should test the spirit behind that voice, to ascertain whether it's of God or not. The gift of discernment exists for our safety. 

Midnight Prayer With Candles


Probably, agents of darkness light candles during their rituals in the middle of the night, but it shouldn't be so with Christians. Midnight prayers aren't supposed to be rituals that require lighting of candles. 

For the proper guide on midnight prayer, read: The Power of Midnight Prayer

Final Thoughts On Praying With Candles And Water


If you still wonder why I am discouraging the use of candles, water, incense and salt in prayers, then here is it:

Praying with objects (whether animate and inanimate) is the same as trying to gain access to God through that medium. Before anyone does this, they already believe that those objects can help them connect with God and grant their wishes. That is idolatry in its finest form! And guess what? God detests idolatry with passion! 

Exodus 20:3 KJV
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). He then went on to say, “My Father will give you whatever you ask in my name (John 16:23).” So why then do we need candles and other substances? Are they now necessary? Are we already done going through Jesus?

Praying with candles and water takes one's faith and gaze off of God, to those objects used in prayer. That is exactly what the rebellious Israelites did with the golden calf! The use of candles during prayer is not recommended for the new testament believer. There is a great falling away going on in these last days, and it's dangerous for anyone to get caught in it. 

But after all that is said there, at the end of the day, each of us still have a choice—on whether to pray with candles or not. Although I do hope we will do the right thing after reading today's article on how to pray with candles and water.

God bless you! 
Anointed And Gifted Christian Dream Interpreter, Christian Therapist, Writer And Web Designer.