Acts 16:25 Around midnight, as Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to the LORD---and the other prisoners were listening---suddenly there was a great earthquake; the prison was shaken to its foundations, all the doors flew open—and the chains of every prisoner fell off!
[Living Bible translation]
SCRIPTURE DISCUSSION
The book of Acts is a wonderful book to read or re-read for the new year because it describes a number of circumstances that attest to the power of prayer.
The Group Prayer:
In Acts 1:14, we are told that there were believers who “devoted themselves to prayer.” These believers basically held a “prayer meeting.” They found an upper room, “were on one accord” and prayed. Mary, the mother of JESUS, was there. The faithful disciples, the brothers of JESUS, and a number of women were there. Altogether they numbered about 120. During one of these group prayer meetings, something new occurred and these believers were filled with the HOLY SPIRIT. Read Act, chapter 2.
The Boldness Prayer:
It was not easy being a Christian after the death of CHRIST. There were threats, accusations, confrontations, and sometimes arrests and imprisonment. Despite threats from those around them, the Act believers had a boldness about them. This boldness did not come from education or wealth, from business or profession, but it came from simply being “with JESUS” and from prayer. See Acts 4:13. Despite threats from high officials, the believers continued to “obey GOD.” Instead of cowering in fear, they told GOD “all about it”--threats and all-- and they asked GOD in prayer for “great boldness” (i.e., “all boldness) to continue to carry on GOD’s work. See Acts 4:24-30. After praying the boldness prayers, GOD “shook everything up.” Even the buildings shook. The praying believers were filled and renewed with the HOLY SPIRIT and were filled with a new boldness. See Acts 4:31.
The Freedom Prayer:
The freedom prayer is recorded in Acts 16:25. Two of the believers, Paul and Silas, were physically restrained in jail. Instead of giving in to their circumstances, they decided to turn the jail into a prayer revival and prayed. Other prisoners watched and listened. Around midnight, something new and unexpected occurred---not only did the prison building shake, the very chains that had been binding “every prisoner” simply fell off. Everyone was freed through the power of prayer.
These are just a few examples of the powerful prayers found in the Book of Acts. Read on about the Healing Prayers (See Acts 28:8); the Intercession Prayers/Knocking Prayers (See, Acts 12: 6-16), and many others. Prayer even raised Dorcas, a woman full of good works and acts of charity, from the dead! (Acts (9:40)
Watch Night Prayer
According to Lesli White in “What Watch Night Really Means to People of Faith,” Watch Night, which takes place on the eve before the New Year, has its roots in both the church and the African American communities. White describes John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church, as having “Covenant Renewal” services. During these services, a believer could look over the past year, make a confession and prepare for the new year. One later minister described his own church watch night service this way: “The people met at half-past eight. The house was filled from end to end, and we concluded the year wrestling with God in prayer.”
White states that Watch Night has a particular significance to the African American community because many slaves gathered in churches on New Year’s, December 31, 1862, to await confirmation of their freedom with the Enactment of the Emancipation Proclamation. President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863.
[It should be noted while the African American community eagerly and hopefully awaited freedom and the Emancipation Proclamation broadly declared "that all persons held as slaves within the rebellious states are, and henceforward shall be free," its expansive claims of freedom were not immediately realized nor did the document have the authority to do so.]
Despite the Proclamation’s shortcomings, as Lonnie Bunch, former director of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, puts it Watch Night symbolizes freedom, hope, and change.
For many who still struggle for justice in their communities, it is also a time for “reflection and release.” For others, it is a time, with the help of GOD, for renewed commitment and ministry to continue the work and fight for freedom, equality, and justice for all.
Watch night is a time for “praying away the old and praying in the new.”
See, “What Watch Night Really Means to People of Faith,” by Lesli White, https://www.beliefnet.com/faiths/christianity/articles/what-watch-night-really-means-for-people-of-faith.aspx.
PRAY IN THE NEW
Many people all over the world are looking for freedom, hope, and change. Some are looking for world change---a world to finally come together, the end of terrorism, hunger, homelessness, bigotry, racism, indifference toward the lives of some in our society, and strife. Many are looking for peace. Many are looking for a cure to COVID 19. Others want a bold new beginning. Some need healing. Many are placing their hope in a new year.
Whatever your circumstances, pray away the old and pray in the new. Put your hope in GOD.
Spend part of the time between now and the new year and even into the new year reading the Book of Acts. Find the prayers you need. Let GOD speak to you and, through prayer, speak to GOD.
Pray to GOD for your new beginning. Eat right. Exercise. Pray.
Find GOD. Find your freedom through prayer.
Enter 2021 with boldness and BE BLESSED!
