On New Year’s Eve, many of us will gather in church for the purpose of praying the Old Year out and the New Year in. Traditionally, this is called “Watch Night Service.”
In many African–American churches, this has been the most important prayer meeting of the Christian year. For we gather to thank God for keeping us through the past year and to be found in a state of prayer on bended knees in “God’s House, when the clock strikes 12 midnight and the New Year begins.
Now, the act of being on bended knees at the midnight hour is supported by the spiritual belief among Black folk that a good ending and beginning are necessary ingredients for the Christian year. You see, Black Theology believes God can and will forgive the sins of the past year in a special way on this night that closes the year and opens up the New Year. This golden moment affords the child of God the annual opportunity to make a new resolution to live a more “Holy Life.”
This is also a night for us as saints to give our “Testimonies” and make our “Determinations.” A testimony is a personal statement of what God has done in the believer’s life. A determination is a statement the believer makes, committing themselves to live a better life or to overcome some personal fault.
I can remember with freshness those testimonies and determinations our fore-parents would give. I can remember some of the old saints at my home church, Calvary Baptist in Chester, saying: “Children, I have been coming up the rough side of the mountain all year. Along the way, I thought I wouldn’t make it. But I kept on praying, and the Lord has brought me through, and I’m here to tell the story.”
And another saying: “Church, I haven’t been as good this year as I ought. I know I have fallen short of the mark, but I want y’all to pray for me that I might overcome my faults and failures.”
Then, just before the midnight hour, the minister, God’s man, began praying because it was believed that only he could unite God’s people with divine power at a depth suitable for this occasion.
When the prayer service was all over and the New Year had begun the saints got up from their knees shouting, singing, praying, and praising God, wishing everyone present a “Happy New Year.”
I have attended this annual prayer meeting since I was a very young child. I believe that there is a spiritual and psychological sense of security that comes from being on bent knees in prayer at this midnight hour. So I urge you to get to some church at least a few minutes before the midnight hour to be sure that you are on your knees praying to welcome in the New Year. Believe me; God will Bless You for doing it!
Wishing You A Happy And Blessed New Year
This is Rev Dr. Wm. Rocky Brown, 3rd, letting you know that GOD and I Love you, and we approve this message because we want to motivate your mind, body & soul. So be happy and enjoy the blessings of The LORD today, my friend! Please subscribe to my website to receive these messages daily at http://www.yourspiritualmotivation.com. You can also buy my publication: “800 SAYINGS BY OLD FOLKS WHO RAISED US,” from Amazon.com or www.wmrockybrown3rd.com or by emailing wmrocbe@aol.com or by calling 215-480-5333. The cost is $20.00 s/h included.
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