Members of HOPFAN church (House Of Prayer For All Nations) in Boy-Rabe, in Bangui (CAR) and their guests spent the prayer vigil of December 31, 2020 to January 1, 2021 in the Joy of the LORD YAHWEH. Throughout the night until in the early morning, they praised the LORD, lifted up their voices to Him in prayer for their specific issues, including for peace in the Central African Republic (CAR), and listened to the Voice of their GOD who spoke to them about His Joy.

Led by the Holy Spirit, Pastor Léonard Gonitoua relied on several biblical passages to emphasize the Joy that comes from GOD, which our Heavenly Father gives us as we move from 2020 to 2021 in a very difficult national and global context. On the one hand, the armed conflict that continues on the CAR territory, with all its consequences on the lives of the inhabitants, and on the other hand, the COVID-19 pandemic that has brought to a halt several activities throughout the world and caused more than one million deaths, not to mention the global financial crisis. Faced with this situation, it is easy to fall into depression and despair. But our ELOHIM, The One who made the heavens and the earth, The One who created Man and Woman in His image and who has only plans of peace and not of misfortune for His children, our GOD The Great I Am is calling us to remain in His Joy that is invariable and that no one can take away from us (John 16:22).

The following are the main Bible verses shared by Pastor Gonitoua during this vigil: Luke 2:10; Luke 19:37; Acts 13:52; Psalm 42:5; Psalm 43:4; John 16:22; Galatians 5:22; Philippians 3:1; Psalm 16:11; Romans 15:13; Ezra 3:10; Nehemiah 8:10; Job 38:7; Psalm 4:8; Psalm 5:12; Psalm 21:7; and Psalm 33:21.

Living with JESUS CHRIST, who came to set the captives free, who is the Way, the Truth and the Life, can only give us Joy, His Joy which then becomes one of our strengths in front of all difficult situations.

If YAHSHUA (JESUS CHRIST) is truly our LORD and Savior, then we have many things to rejoice about, enough to go forward in 2021 with our heads held high and our hearts in His Peace and Joy, to overcome all the wiles of the Devil, and to prosper in all respects as the state of our souls prospers. As in Acts 13:52 (NIV), let us be “filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit”, our faithful Friend promised by JESUS CHRIST to teach us all things, convict us of sins, counsel us and to lead us according to the perfect Plans of ELOHIM for us.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13) “Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10) Let “all who take refuge in” the LORD “be glad”. (Psalm 5:11)

In the Name of YAHSHUA.Amen.