Whether individually or corporately, we must take a stand on our knees and offer up the incoming year to our Heavenly Father in thanksgiving for bringing us through the outgoing year, and ask for protection, safety, and guidance as the New Year comes in.
When going through some of our church’s archives, I came across a small paragraph handwritten on “November 27, 1944. It was voted on by the board as a recommendation to the church to have a Watch Night Service at the church on December 31, 1944.” In 1944, our church, as well as the rest of the country, had WWII on everybody's mind, in their hearts, and in their daily lives. The Mica mines in this area were vital in communications for the war effort. Our members were faced with rationing of goods and fuel. Some of our church members lost loved ones in battle and were working through grief. Are we that different now? How many times in Scripture were God’s people warned about not returning to God for their every need? See Joel 2:13; Zechariah 1:3; Isaiah 55:7; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Hosea 14:1
So let’s do it. May New Year’s Eve be a Night Watch as it approaches, in prayer and supplication, and not just a party.
As we approach another year, we can look into the mirror of truth & honesty & ask The LORD, "Where do we go from here?" We can begin with getting back to God, not only is a nation, but as individuals. "God, where do I begin?"
Looking back to times of war & history, we realize it is time to learn from conflicts. I do not want to repeat the same mistakes. I do not want to stay in the cycle of chaos & complaining, bitterness & fighting. It is time for an awakening!
To begin, we need to tear down strongholds. We also need to learn and have a teachable spirit, & then overcome.
In this series, we will look at 2 Chronicles 7:14, which says, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
For September, we will look at humility. I'm going to ask myself some questions, & I hope that you will do the same. Am I defensive? Do I have pride in any area of my life? Do I seek wisdom from God & His Word? The Bible tells us in James 4: 10 and in 1 Petr 5:6 to "Humble yourselves".
Here's our challenge: everyday in September, let's pray about humility...in our homes, in our churches...and in our hearts as individuals. And continue through December 31, as we look toward making every day to count for The LORD.
Let's begin today. Luke 10:27
OCTOBER
In part 2 of
this series, we are looking at "pray" from 2 Chronicles 7:14. Have
you ever heard the prayer, "GOD, break my heart for what breaks Yours?"
In many of our lives, prayer has become a routine,
saying mindless words without thought or meaning. But what if...today...we
decide to make a change...and then change... today?
Where do we start? Let's start with our heart. First,
we need a clean heart. Psalm 51:10 says, "Create in me a clean heart, O
God; and renew a right spirit within me." If we are honest, we have to
admit and confess our sins every day. However, let's come to God with a broken
heart, a heart of repentance...and grab onto this precious avenue of prayer...a
time to talk with God, who created the universe... God, who created you and
me...GOD!
As our hearts break for our own sin, let's also have a
broken heart for others...those who are lost, those who are far away from God,
those who are going through troubles.
During the month of October, let's break down the
stronghold of apathy and replace it with a vibrant prayer life...talking with
and listening to God...truly.
As I ask myself questions, I asked you to consider
them as well. When I pray, do I take it seriously? Do I realize that I'm
talking to Almighty God, the "I AM"? Do I take time for prayer, or do
I rush out the door each morning with a quick, "See you later,
God"...not even realizing that God desires to connect with me in my day?
Do I take the time to simply thank God for who He is?
Billy Graham said, "No nation is ever taller than
when on its knees."
A clean heart...a broken heart...let's begin again
today. Mark 12:30
NOVEMBER
Prayer Vigil & Part 3.
Since we are beginning to see the close of 2026 and are looking toward 2027, let's continue this process of cleansing and renewing our hearts to God. Our focus for November is "seek My face" from 2 Chronicles 7:14. How do we seek His face? Let's do what we know to do. Spend time with God every day...in The Bible and in prayer. When we seek the face of God, we are truly looking to Him for answers, not telling Him our ideas.
Let's tear down the stronghold of self-reliance and our own prideful thinking and go to God instead. We can trust God. Hosea 14:9 tells us that "the ways of the LORD are right". We can begin to replace the stronghold of self-reliance by renewing our mind. Romans 12:2 speaks to this renewal. We can do that daily in God's Word, His beautiful instruction book. What our mind feeds on, what our eyes feed on, what our ears feed on...these are ways to renew our thoughts and mind. There has always been a war for our soul, and now it is even more intensified with the access of too much media, available anywhere and everywhere.
As we reflect on our history and the time of WWII, let's ask some questions. Are the current days in which we live any different from then? Has there ever been a day when we shouldn't seek The Lord? During times of war or in peaceful times, can God be trusted? Is a spiritual battle different from a physical battle?
Plan a watch night service in your church or home or neighborhood. Let's plan now to make a change in our lives. Let December 31st and January 1st be a new beginning in our hearts, in our homes, in our towns, and in our nation. Start today. One pastor gives this admonition for us as we go to God's house: "Pause and pray. Say, 'Lord, I'm going to church this morning. Give me fresh eyes and fresh ears to see and to hear truth in a different way.'" Psalm 19:14
