The Old Meeting House Congregational Church in Colegate is offering a watch-night service on December 31 from 11:15, led by Rev Dr John Clements, with a focus on prayer for revival and spiritual awakening. The service will include testimony, prayer, and praise, and Rev Clements will deliver a short New Year’s message. The event will also offer refreshments and is open to all who wish to attend. The watch-night service has a deep historical significance, dating back to the early Christian practice of spending the night in prayer, and later adopted by the English Methodists under the influence of John Wesley and his preachers. The first watch-night service took place in Kingswood, England, prior to April 1742, when colliers who were converted to Christianity began spending their Saturday nights in prayer instead of at the ale-house. The tradition subsequently spread among the Methodists, and by 1789, it had become common practice to hold watch-night services until midnight in the British Isles.
The historical significance of the watch-night service and the spiritual awakenings associated with prayer and earnest devotion are emphasized as reasons for attending. It is noted that answered prayer at the birth of America and spiritual awakenings throughout history have been preceded by earnest repentance and prayer. The advice is given to seek the highest willingness of God for the nation and acknowledge dependence and reliance upon His grace in order to experience a renewal of spiritual life. The importance of putting God first and spending time in prayer is underscored, with the suggestion that this practice may lead to miracles and a renewal of spiritual life, both individually and nationally. The article concludes with an invitation to start the new year in God’s house, praying for His rich blessings as seekers of His face.
Overall, the article promotes the watch-night service at The Old Meeting House as an opportunity for individuals to participate in a tradition with deep spiritual significance and an opportunity to seek God’s blessings and renewal for the new year. The service is framed as a chance to experience the historical practice of watch-night services, rooted in early Christian traditions and later adopted by the English Methodists. Rev Dr John Clements invites attendees to join in prayer, testimony, and praise, with a focus on revival and spiritual awakening. The article emphasizes the importance of putting God first and seeking His grace through prayer, drawing on the historical significance of prayer and repentance in spiritual awakenings throughout history as a motivation for attendance.
