Growing up, I remember being tasked to light a candle in our altar at home at 6pm everyday.  When I moved out from my parents place and had my own, I somehow forgot and stopped being faithful to the 6pm ‘routine’.

Until I lost my father in 2004, I started lighting a candle again every night as my way of remembering him. I feel that by lighting a candle, I am sending him my love and prayers that is why I really try to do it everyday, unless I am traveling. That candle though is not just for him, that candle is also my way of saying Thank You to God for the day that just passed. Lighting a candle is an act of Love.

There are nights when I will light a special candle for special intentions.  There are days and nights when I will light, not just one, but many. When friends ask for prayers or even when they don’t ask but I know they need special favours from God, I always make sure I light a candle especially for their intentions.  Lighting a candle is an act of Faith.

Some may ask for scientific explanation of what a candle does to make things better. I do not have an answer. Some may challenge whether a candle will have the power to change the course of things. I do not have a proof. Some may say it is just one of those empty traditions and practices that really has no value.  I will not argue. At times, when I no longer know how and what to pray because of distress and anxiety, I simply light a candle. Lighting a candle is an act of Hope.