9 Ways to Serve Your Neighbors This Halloween
Share
It’s that time of the year again when children start hankering for candy, costumes are put on display, and things go bump in the night. Whether you celebrate Halloween or not, the holiday is on its way, and just like all years before, you have to decide what you’ll be doing. Some Christians look forward to October 31st, taking in the night with parties, food, and amusement parks. Those hoping to avoid all that may opt for turning off their porch lights and watching a movie instead. No matter where you fall on the Halloween debate, we shouldn’t be distracted from our primary goal – loving God and loving others (Matthew 22:37, 39). So, whether you’re out for a fright, or staying in for the night, here are 9 ways to serve your neighbors this Halloween!
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/monkeybusinessimages
Depending on the prank, this idea applies more to Halloween celebrators. October 31st offers an extra incentive (or excuse) to pull scare pranks on people. The internet is littered with scare prank videos between family members, friends, lovers. You too can pull off a prank of your own, recorded or not. Pranks result in more than a few laughs and smiles. You will build camaraderie with others as well.
Some parents would like to use Halloween night to get out and get some time to themselves. Either their children don't celebrate Halloween, or they would rather not trek miles for candy alongside their children. Not this year at least. That’s where you come in, offering to play the role of babysitter for the night and give the parents a break. Babysitting is a way to not only build relationships with the parents, but also the children. They’re never too young to start their relationship with God or at least witness the character of a God-fearing person.
Halloween is a great night to pay someone a friendly visit. Do you have an elderly neighbor who typically spends the night alone or a relative who can’t get around due to an injury? Paying someone a visit during Halloween, or calling someone could serve as a kind gesture. This could also be an occasion for catching up.
One sure way to serve people daily is through prayer. The act of prayer isn’t seasonal like Halloween, but rather an everyday activity. So long as there are sinners in the world, there is always a purpose and need for prayer. If Halloween ends up being a day where you are not occupied with candy, movies, or something else that requires attention, you can also use that time to commune with God.
One way to do this is by compiling a list of people in your life and ways you can pray for them. Reflect on what you believe their needs are or ask them. They’ll be honored that you want to pray on their behalf. This could be especially helpful for parents who have lost a child and now live on unable to celebrate Halloween with their kid. Or maybe someone just happens to be going through a hard time that day. In either situation, prayer can turn someone’s day around.
Halloween is an enjoyable time for some, and a period of discomfort for others. Thank God that even on such a day we can serve others. The Bible has given us many ideas of how to serve. He’s also blessed us with logic, which allows us to take those ideas and make them specific for today’s culture. In other words, there’s no excuse not to do something for someone, even on this spooky holiday. Halloween is right around the corner. When it comes, don't be confused about what to do because your options are only limited by your imagination.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/gpointstudio
