RE-DEFINING THE CROSS OVER SERVICE
The cross over service is predominant in churches in Nigeria and a tradition on every new year eve . Cross over service was dated back to 18th century, John wesley started crossover service as an alternative to secular new year eve where they partied, dined and wined into the new year. The cross over service was majorly to reflect, pray and re-dedicate ones life to Christ. Christianity officially came into Nigeria in 1842, no record of cross over services in Nigerian churches until in the 70s and 80s which was marked with the surge of pentecostal and charismatic churches. The cross over services are usually a time for breakthrough prayers , prophetic prayers, spiritual renewal and fortification for the incoming year combine with prophecies for the year. Gradually, mainline churches also adapted the cross over services in the late 80s and 90s in order to keep some of their members who flock into these churches on 31st of December.
Today, crossover service has become a church tradition in Nigeria. Many people who do not believe in going to Churches usually attend the cross over service just to pray for breakthrough into the year. There is so much ado about 31st December that you think it must be a special day that heavens are open and whatever prayer you pray on that day shall be answered. There is no day that is special, it is humans that make a day special, no day is special or unique to God. 31st December is Just like any other day in the calendar. Do not religiously believe that the day is special to heavens. Whatever God have put in your mind to do for him, start doing it now. Do not wait till you enter another year, all days are important, if we take all days serious the way we take 31st December, many lives would have changed for the best. People that have vision , goals and destiny to fulfill do not joke with their days. Twenty four hours is long enough to succeed in life. In a day so many things can happen that will turn life around for good. Take every day serious and see it as just the last day you have on earth. Have you ever wondered that we all have twenty four hours, some make judicious use of it and is not enough while to some it is too much for them that they have to waste some away in watching others that are actively using their time. The difference between the two is planning. If you do not plan your day well, it will not be productive, time is the currency on earth, if you do not plan how to use it, you will waste it. So many lies have been told under the guise of religion and one of it is if you pray well on December 31st, your year is settled and it will be different. You are crossing over from failure to success and many more. Prayers are not enough if it is not back up with planning, determination and diligence. The cross over is usually mark with theme of the year like “ 2025 my year of glory” 2025 my year of breakthrough “ 2025 my year of abundant blessings “ . Hardly will you find 2025 my year of walking closer with God” The theme are usually tied to prosperity and breakthrough. The cross over service should primarily focus on the spiritual well being of the people with focus to ascertain if they are still in faith It should be a time for them to sit down, reflect on previous years and come up with plans, goals and decisions geared towards making them a better disciple of Christ. Meditation is a spiritual discipline and should be a spiritual exercise Christians should do daily and more of it in on 31st December. Thinking and reflecting on what you have achieved for God and humanity.
It is high time we had mind shift regards watch night service. We have had enough of watch night services, we have had enough of new year prophecies, we have had enough of breakthrough prayers, it is time we look inward and meditate on the state of our spirituality and that of the nation. There is need to intentionally teach and disciple church members who are willing to be ambassadors of Christ wherever they find themselves. If there must be a watch night service, it should be redefined by going to the foundation as practiced by John Wesley It should be a service that people will be led to praise God, release them to be alone with God, reflect on the past year and guide them to rededicate their lives to christ . Many crossover services in today’s churches are full of jamboree and fun without a call to live a consecrated life that is pleasing to God. If watch night services are done in the right way it will yield fruit of righteousness.
©️ Abolanle Oladipupo
29/12/2024
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