FROM TRADITION TO TRANSFORMATION
- Chern Siang Ling
- Sep 16
- 2 min read
by Chern Siang Ling, MMS Regional Director of Nepal.
As the sun set on 13 April, a quiet yet powerful tradition came to life across the hills and valleys of Nepal. In churches scattered across three regions, members of the Methodist Church in Nepal (MCN) gathered—not merely to mark the turn of the calendar, but to anchor themselves in the presence of God. This was not just a New Year’s Eve prayer meeting. It was a declaration of faith, unity, and a longing for divine renewal.
For MCN, welcoming the new year with prayer is a time-honoured tradition. More than a ceremonial act, it is a sacred rhythm—closing the year in communion with God and stepping into the unknown with hearts surrendered. The global pandemic may have changed many things, but it did not diminish this deep spiritual commitment. Instead, it reshaped the way MCN worships together.
Since Covid-19, the overnight New Year’s prayer service has taken on a hybrid form: the first part uniting churches over Zoom, the second continuing through the night in local congregations. This year was no different—but also, in some ways, it was.
On the eve of the Nepali New Year, approximately 170 believers from across the MCN family tuned in together online. Churches filled their sanctuaries with the glow of screens and the warmth of shared prayer. Hebron Methodist Church led in worship via Zoom, bridging the geographical distance with songs of hope and surrender. Then came a message of purpose and promise.
I shared from Ephesians 2:1–10, reminding everyone of their divine identity: “God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.” It was a call not just to reflect but to respond—to let their lives declare their Maker’s glory, to be vessels of love in a broken world. The message resonated deeply, not only for what was said, but for what was already being lived out in that very moment.
Though there was no formal sharing of testimonies that night, none were needed. The testimony was in their presence. The fact that believers across the nation stayed up through the night, committed to unceasing prayer, spoke volumes. It was a quiet yet powerful witness to the strength of their faith and their love for the Church, their families, and their nation.
In a world often driven by spectacle, what happened on that New Year’s Eve was deeply countercultural. No fanfare. No celebration for the sake of celebration. Just a people on their knees, starting afresh by seeking the One who makes all things new.
And in that seeking, transformation is already happening.
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