My soul waits for the Lord, More than those who watch for the morning – Yes, more than those who watch for the morning. – Psalm 130 ––
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My soul waits for the Lord, More than those who watch for the morning – Yes, more than those who watch for the morning. – Psalm 130 –– –––––––––
WATCH NIGHT: MY SOUL WAITS
What is Watch Night?
Watch night services have been part of Methodist life since the days of John Wesley, who first referred to Watch Night in his journal in April 1742. Starting around 8.30pm and held late into the night, these services were moments of prayer, preaching, worship, and deep reflection—times Wesley described as being of “peculiar blessing.” Rooted in the biblical call and the words of Jesus to “keep watch,” found in passages such as Psalm 130, Isaiah 62 and Matthew 24, Watch Night became a space for renewal and spiritual awakening.
Watch Night services were often held at significant moments like New Year’s Eve and sometimes during Methodist conferences. As time moved on it became a tradition for churches to hold Watch Night services on New Year's Eve, starting around 11pm and finishing around midnight at the turn of the year. Today, churches have found new ways of gathering on New Year’s Eve such as “Last Light” Services.
A New Year Call to Prayer
As a Connexion, we are approaching 2026 with a special Watch Night call to prayer. Early in the New Year churches are invited to plan a time of extended prayer and worship, creating space to "wait for the Lord"(Psalm 130). In this waiting we will open ourselves to a deeper experience of God’s love for us and for the world—one that renews, restores, and sends us out into the world, ready to share the good news of Jesus with others.
PLANNING YOUR WATCH NIGHT GATHERING
1. Choose Your Date and Time
Decide whether to gather on New Year’s Eve, early in January, or another suitable time.
There is something that happens when we pray into the night so why not give it a go but if not, you could plan an extended "Last light" service" or a day time "Watch Day" gathering.
2. Decide the Format
Think about what kind of gathering will work best for your church:
An extended worship service with lots of space for prayer and worship
Open a prayer room or set up prayer stations in your church sanctuary
Have your prayer room or church open for prayer during the day and hold a gathering in the evening.
Pray through the night on Saturday and finish with your Covenant Service on Sunday morning.
Or a combination of any of the above!
3. Prepare the Space
Think about how to create a welcoming, prayerful and comfortable space.
Provide tea, coffee and treats.
Set up your space with prayer stations.
4. Use any of the prepared Resources
Lectio Divina Guide: Psalm 130, Isaiah 62, Matthew 24
Watch Night Service Guide
Watch Night Prayer Stations Guide
Pray at Home Resources
This call to prayer isn’t so much about restarting the traditional Watch Night service, but rather about planning a time to gather as church to pray, whether on New Year’s Eve or in early January, drawing inspiration from Watch Night as experienced in Wesley’s time.