This phrase is often identified as a “Chinese Proverb.” However, it was Peter Benenson, who was instrumental in the creation of human rights organization Amnesty International, who used the phrase in connection with Amnesty's symbol: a lit candle wrapped in barbed wire.

Isaiah 9:2
those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined.

Light as an image for God and holiness is ubiquitous in scripture and central in Quaker thought and writing. John uses the word light in this way sixteen distinct times. Although the image refers to physical light, the image of lightness or levity is also available to us. We can go through life buoyant and resilient due to the lightness that God gifts us. This is why Quakers often use the phrase “holding in the light” for prayer intentions. It is my practice to both picture those I am praying for as being “in the light” basking in warmth and clarity and “being light” in terms of buoyancy and freedom. This frees me from the constrictions of words when I pray this way. The prayer image has its own life. Yogini Sivananda Radha Saraswati received the Divine Light Invocation in 1956, a prayer for others in trouble, which she shared around the world. It is invoked for the support of those known to be troubled and burdened.

I am created by Divine Light
I am sustained by Divine Light
I am protected by Divine Light
I am surrounded by Divine Light
Every cell of this my physical body
Is filled with Divine Light
Every level of consciousness
Is imbued with Divine Light
I am one with the Light
I am a perfect channel of the Light