Tonight, as I write this article, preparation for crossing over to 2020 is in high gear. People usually will cross-over in prayer gatherings at a church or elsewhere with fireworks.
Because of many travels, I have decided to stay home and cross-over in my house with my family. Seeing the preparation and the hype about crossing-over, I’m compelled to suggest four biblical thoughts for crossing the new year.
Scripture exhorts us believers to do everything as unto the Lord, “whether we eat or drink” (1 Corinthians 10:31). As such, even our cross-over parties to celebrate the arrival of a new year should be done as unto the Lord.
I have witnessed strange and bizarre prayer nights arranged by some churches where people are duped into believing that if you “sow a new year seed” then all your endeavours in 2020 will not fail. False prophecies, empty promises, gimmicks and worldly ideas fill up most of their preaching and imaginations.
Instead of going that way, I will suggest four things that you can consider to pray for 2020 tonight.
#1: Pray to Walk in Holiness
God commands us to “be holy because he is holy” (1 Peter 1:16). Believers are called to be holy more than we were called to be anything else in life. In 2020, let your loftiest goal be holiness. While others are engrossed in pagan, materialistic, worldly prayers, let your plea be to God to help you walk in holiness in 2020. God delights to answer such prayers.
#2: Pray to Walk in Wisdom
When God asked him what he wanted, King Solomon asked for wisdom. Solomon asked for discernment; to “know the difference between right and wrong” (1 Kings 3:11) because he wanted to rule God’s people justly. Oh, how God loves justice. The Bible tells us that “justice is the foundation of his throne” (Psalm 97:2). God was so pleased by the prayer of King Solomon that he gave him “riches and honour” (1 Kings 3:13). When we walk in wisdom, we learn to seek, not things for now but, things that matter eternally.
#3: Pray to Seek First
In his famous “Sermon on the Mount” (Matthew 5-7), Jesus addressed 20 things that we need to learn if we’re to live as people of his new kingdom. One issue that needs our attention tonight is worrying about personal needs. He assured that when we “seek first his kingdom and all its righteousness, then all these things [things we need for a daily living] shall be added to us” (Matthew 6:33). May our prayer be to seek God first. To be preoccupied with God and not our personal needs because he’s committed to taking care of our needs according to his riches in glory (Philippians 4:19).
#4: Pray to Abide in the Word
Jesus promised that if we abide in his word and his word abide in us, then we can ask for anything and it shall be given to us (John 15:7). This promise can sometimes be misunderstood to mean that we can then literally ask for anything we wish, even when they don’t glorify God. No, no, no! What does it mean to remain (or abide) in Jesus? It means allowing the word of God to so shape us that what we wish will always be in line with God’s will. Who does not desire to know and pray the will of God always so that his prayer is always answered right away? The answer to praying effectively is an obedient and righteous life.
These four prayer points are either commanded in scripture or they are simply well spoken of by the Lord. To pray these things for 2020 will guarantee a speedy answer because God delights in answering them.
I would like to hear testimonies of God’s answer. Happy 2020!
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