Watch, Fasting & Prayer
Vigil, fasting, special prayers and worship orders.
ORDER OF WATCH AND PRAY
After Our Lord Jesus Christ had finished admonishing, instructing and teaching his disciples, he washed their feet and ate the last supper with them. He knew the hour of his betrayal was at hand he began to be sorrowful and heavy at heart. He then started to keep vigil and pray. This lasted for three hours from midnight to 3 a.m. prayed as he asked his disciples to watch and pray with him. At 3. a.m. the Jews (led by Judas) came and arrested him. Till this day we observe Watch and Pray and the Holy Spirit has directed that brethren who for any reason cannot be physically in attendance in the Bethel, may observe watch and pray in their homes by staying awake between midnight and 3 a.m. Wednesday night is a very important night in Brotherhood because it was
on this night Our Lord drank the cup of woe.
1. Hymn
2. Prayer by a conductor
3. Psalm 1 {To be repeated by all)
4. Prayer by a member
5. Reading – Matthew 26 : 1 – end (all kneeling with reverence)
6. Anthem by choir(s)
7. Prayer by a member
8. Text- Sermon
9. Prayer by a member
10. Silent prayer (all standing)
11. Anthem by choir(s)
12. Prayer by a member
13. Closing Hymn
14. Psalm 23, The Lord’s Prayer
15. Doxology – Olumba behold us here….
16. Benediction
17. Doxology – Hear our prayers O Lord….
18. Spiritual choruses and blessing st 19. Feast-(Text 1 Corinthians 11 : 23 – 29)
20. Visions, Prophecy, Testimonies and Confession of sins
21. Closing. FASTING
ORDER OF FASTING ON THURSDAY IN BETHELS
We regard Thursday as important day being the day Our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified. All Brotherhood members commemorate his sufferings and passions on that day by fasting from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
He was condemned to death at 6. a.m. crucified on the Cross at 9a.m. He gave up the ghost at 3 p.m.
He was brought down from the Cross at 6 p.m. The three days and three night were as follows: – st 6 a.m. 6 p.m on Thursday- 1 Day st 6 p.m. on Thursday 6 a.m. on Friday- 1 Night nd 6 a.m. 6p.m on Friday – 2 Day nd 6 p.m on Friday 6 a.m. on Saturday- 2 Night rd 6 a.m. 6 p.m. on Saturday- 3 Day rd 6 p.m. on Saturday 6 a.m. on Sunday 3 Night While observing fasting in bethels the order below should be followed: st 1. 6 a.m. 1 Reading: Matthew 27 : 1 – 44 is read (all kneeling down) after reading “O h Lord forgive us our trespasses” is sung by the whole congregation (see S.S.O. page 39)
2. Prayer by a member
3. Anthem by Choir(s)
4. Prayer by a member
5. Confession of sins, Prayer for the entire world by 4 members (2 Brothers & 2 Sisters).
6. Spiritual Choruses, testimonies, visions etc. nd 7. 9:00 a.m. 2 reading: Mark 15: 1 – 32 “Oh Lord forgive us our trespasses” (is sung as in item 1)
8. Prayer by a member
9. Anthem by choir(s)
10. Prayer by a member
11. Spiritual choruses as in item 6
12. Prayer by 4 members rd 13. 12 Noon 3 reading: John 19:1-30” Oh Lord forgive us our trespasses” (is sung as in item 1)
14. Prayer by a member
15. Anthem by choir(s)
16. Prayer by a member
17. Spiritual choruses as in item 6 and 11
18. Prayer by 4 members th 19. 3:00 p.m. 4 reading: Luke 23 : 1 – 49 “Oh Lord forgive us” is sung
20. Prayer by a member
21. Anthem by choirs
22. Prayer by a member
23. Spiritual choruses as in item 6, 11 and 17
24. 5:55 p.m. General confession of sins two by two th 25. 6:00 p.m. 5 reading: Luke 23 : 50 -56 (Oh Lord forgive us our trespasses is sung).
26. Prayer by a member
27. Anthem by choir(s)
28. Prayer by a member
29. Closing Hymn
30. Psalm 23, The Lord’s Prayer
31. Doxology: Come Holy Spirit of God…
32. Benediction
33. Doxology: Hear our prayer…
34. Jumps of Hallelujah, Hosanna and Amen. (Seven times each)
35. Feast
36. Closing.
SPECIAL PRAYER BEFORE THE ALTAR FOR THE
SICK At the close of morning/evening prayers sick people and others who desire special prayer should kneel before the altar and brethren should offer them prayer.
THE ORDER BELOW SHOULD BE OBSERVED
1. The sick kneels before the altar
2. Spiritual songs: (all kneeling while singing
(a) Holy spirit Father do thy work in me.
(b) Thou oh great commander…
(c) Thou greatest doctor…
3. Confession of sins by the afflicted.
4. Spiritual songs/anointment: (Still kneeling down)
(a) Satan se ikot mi do …
(b) There is power mighty in the blood…
5. Prayer by member(s) to the sick one(s)
6. The Lord’s prayer.
7. Benediction by the conductor of the special prayer
8. Hallelujah; Hosanna and Amen – (All should jump seven times each in jubilation)
9. Admonition by the officiating priest.
ORDER OFSERVICE ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY EVENING ONLY
1. Introit” The Lord is in His Holy Temple”…
2. Psalm one – To be recited by all
3. Prayer by the officiating priest
4. Hymn
5. Prayer by a member
6. If on Wednesday read St. John 17 : 1 – 26 to be repeated by Congregation. If on Thursday read Psalm 51:1-19 also to be repeated by the congregation.
7. Hymn
8. Prayer by a member st 9. 1 Lesson
10. Anthem by choir(s)
11. Prayer by a member
12. Golden text/sermon
13. Prayer by a member
14. Silent prayer (All standing)
15. Blessing (see order of full service)
16. Prayer by a member
17. Anthem by choir(s)
18. Prayer by a member
19. Closing hymn
20. Psalm 23, Lord’s prayer
21. Doxology – “Olumba behold us here…”
22. Benediction
23. Doxology – “Hear our prayers oh Lord…”
24. Spiritual choruses and blessing
25. Love Feast
26. Vision, Prophecy, Testimony, etc.
27. Announcement
28. Admonition and Closing.
ORDER OF BIBLE CLASS
Everything we do in Brotherhood of the Cross and Star is exactly as was done by Our Lord Jesusj3hrist. Our Lord knew that the Jews had conspired to arrest and kill him on Thursday. He then decided to eat the last supper with His disciples on Wednesday night. Before He ate, He gathered them and instructed and taught them. This we do till today.
The greatest experience anyone can have is attending Bible Class lecture given by the Supernatural Teacher (Leader O.O.Obu) Himself. It is in these lectures that the secrets of heaven and earth and the true meaning of the Scriptures are revealed by Him.
The Sole Spiritual Head has decreed that Bible Class and Watch and Pray be conduced in all bethels on Wednesdays evenings and fasting on Thursdays no matter the attendance.
Bible Class should also hold on Saturday evenings. The following order should be observed during Bible Class Lectures.
1. Psalm One – To be recited by all
2. Hymn
3. Prayer – by a member
4. Bible Text
5. Lesson drawn from the Text by individuals. (The conductor gives ample time for individuals to draw lessons and explain what they understand by them).
6. Full explanation of Text by the Conductor
7. Prayer – by a member
8. Closing Hymn
9. Psalm 23
10. The Lord’s prayer
11. Doxology – “Come Holy Spirit of God…
12. Benediction
13. Doxology – Hear our prayers
14. Closing.
ORDER OF CONDUCTING FASTING IN PENTECOSTAL CENTRES
1. 6. a.m. st (a) 1 Reading Matthew 27 : 1 – 44
(b) Confession song: Oh Lord forgive us our trespasses.
(c) Prayer by a member
(d) Anthem by choir(s)
(e) Prayer by a member st (f) Reading of the following texts 1 John 1:7- 10; James 5 : 16
(g) Confession of sins (one to the other)
(h) Prayer by 4 member for the entire world
(i) Spiritual choruses
(j) Testimonies, visions, prophecies, dreams etc.
2. 9.00a.m. nd 2 Reading Mark 15 : 1 -32 (Items b-j of the above should be observed except for item f)
3. 10.00a.rn Full service is conducted (Follow order of 10a.m. service)
4. 12 Noon rd 3 Reading John 19:1 -30 Items b-j of No 1 to observed except item f)
5. 3:00 p.m. th 4 Reading; Luke 23 : 1 – 49 (Items b – j of No. 1 item to be observed except item f)
6. 5.55 p.m. General confession of sins – (one to the other)
7. 6.00 p.m. th 5 Reading Luke 23 : 1 – 49 (Items b-j of No 1 item to be observed except item
8. Closing hymn
9. Psalm 23
10. The Lord’s prayer
11. Doxology- Hear come Holy Spirit…
12. Benediction
13. Doxology- Hear our prayers…
14. Hallelujah ; Hosanna and Amen – (All should jump seven times each in jubilation)
ORDER OF SERVICE ON EASTER MONDAY/ RECEPTION OFTHE HOLY SPIRIT
1. Introit
2. Psalm 1 to be recited by all
3. Prayer by the conductor
4. Hymn
5. Prayer by a member
6. 1st Lesson: John 21 : 15-17
7. Hymn
8. Prayer by a member
9. 2nd Lesson John 20 : 18-20
10. Anthem by choir(s)
11. Prayer by a member
12. Golden text: Matthew 28 : 18 – 20
13. Sermon after re-reading the first and second lessons as usual the inductor calls for confession of sins by all members. All kneeling down confessing silently with complete humility.
14. All members still kneeling, the following spiritual songs are rendered.
(a) Odudu usen Pentecost… (S.S.O) page 33
(b) Se nte emende cross eno Enye… (S.S.O) page 33
(c) O! lyip Eyen Erong… (S.S.O.) page 37
(d) lyip okoduoho k’isong… (S.S.O.) page 16
(e) Mkpa usen ita… (S.S.O.) page 34
(f) Se ekenamde eno Israel (S.S.O.) page 34
15. Still kneeling – The three lessons are read seven times each while tho members respond Amen.
(eg) so when they had dined – Amen. Jesus said to Simon Peter -Amen (etc.)
16. End of the Sermon
17. Prayer by a member
18. Silent prayer
19. Blessing
(a) Children
(b) Women
(c) Men
(d) Choristers etc.
20. Prayer by a member
21. Anthem by choir(s)
22. Prayer by a member
23. Closing hymn
24. Psalm 23, The Lord’s prayer
25. Doxology: Come holy Spirit of God…
26. Benediction
27. Doxology: Hear our prayer…
28. Spiritual Choruses and blessing
29. Testimonies, visions and prophecies
30. Closing.