As the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, how do you prepare your heart and mind for the year ahead?
For many Black Christian Pentecostal and Charismatic (BCPC) churches, the Watchnight service is a sacred opportunity to come together in prayer, worship and thanksgiving. It’s a time to reflect on God’s faithfulness, seek guidance and commit the year to Him in unity—creating a powerful foundation for the months ahead.
At Christian Aid, we’re privileged to stand alongside BCPC churches during this pivotal moment. Introducing our new Watchnight resource...
To help congregations deepen their worship, we’ve created resources designed to complement the rhythms of the Watchnight service. These include a heartfelt thanksgiving video and a 7-day prayer diary to guide the community in starting the year grounded in prayer and reflection.
Use our thanksgiving video in our service, and download our 7-day prayer diary to start the year in faith, prayer and action.
What is a Watchnight service?
The Watchnight service is a longstanding tradition within many Black Christian communities. Held on New Year’s Eve, it is a time of prayer and worship that extends past midnight, marking the transition into the new year with thanksgiving and renewed dedication to God.
Historically, Watchnight services have been a space for collective trust in God—a legacy that continues to inspire today.
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As we cross into this new year, we want to pray for God to bless your community, to challenge and encourage you. And to equip you for the year ahead. But we also want the opportunity to stand alongside you, to come alongside you in the season of prayer and consecration. As you seek the Lord for the new year, we want you to be able to provide you with a prayer resource that allows us to think about how we engage in justice, as we seek the face of the Lord.
A partnership rooted in faith and justice
Our engagement with BCPC churches is a vital part of Christian Aid’s mission to reflect the full diversity of the British church. These churches bring a prophetic voice to our shared work, inspiring us to act boldly in the fight against poverty and injustice.
The partnership between Christian Aid and BCPC churches is one of mutual encouragement and solidarity.
Together, we’ve stood for justice on issues close to their heart, and they have faithfully supported us in our mission to end global poverty. This collaboration is a testament to the power of faith-driven action and unity.
‘Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?’ Isaiah 58:6
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Starting the year in prayer
Isaiah 58:6-7 reminds us of the power of prayer and action working hand in hand. Beginning the year in prayer offers a chance to slow down, reflect, and surrender our plans to God. It’s an invitation to reset our priorities and align ourselves with His purposes.
The Watchnight service, along with tools like the 7-day prayer diary, provides a way for individuals and congregations to start the year in step with God—through prayer, reflection and action. Together, we can seek His guidance and commit to living out His call for compassion and justice in the year ahead.
