Wherever we are on God’s timeline, we, as Jesus’ disciples, have His command to watch with Him. The beloved Apostle Paul echoed Jesus’ mandate: “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful” (Col. 4:2). One key in this is to walk in a sustained state of watching with prayer, even in the late-night shifts.

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Specific Watches in Scripture

There are 24 hours in a day—and biblical watches were divided into three-hour segments. The following list includes only a few phrases used in the Word of God regarding various watches:

• Exodus 14:24: last watch of the night (the morning watch)
• Psalm 130:5–6: waiting for the morning
• Matthew 14:25; Mark 6:48: the fourth watch
• Acts 3:1: the hour of prayer; 3:00 p.m.—the ninth hour
• Daniel 6:10: three times daily—Daniel’s custom
• Psalm 55:17: three times daily—David’s prayers (evening, morning, and noon).

We, too, can observe different types of watches in prayer at various times. Could it be that these diverse strategic watches are appointed for specific people to keep? Yes! And often when people feel called to a prayer watch, each carries a specific theme.

One might be a devotional prayer watch. Another could be a time of revival intercession, reminding God of His promises and appointments not yet fulfilled. Another might be a spiritual warfare watch. Many people feel called to a governmental prayer watch or a crisis-intervention watch. Some people set aside time for prophetic intercession. I always include an Israel prayer watch, and one for evangelism when I pray to “the Lord of the harvest . . . to send workers into the harvest field” (Matt. 9:38). God is creative and there is variety in these watches and prayer applications. I love the diversity in the Body of Christ and the way He gives various burdens or assignments to His “watchmen on the walls.”

God seems to be strategically calling His people to prayer watches as never before. A little more than a decade ago there were only a handful of Houses of Prayer in North America. Today, there are more than 10,000 Houses of Prayer that combine worship and distinct prayer themes in their diverse watches.

God is choosing and appointing watchmen to make history before the throne of Almighty God. I don’t plan to miss that appointment! I encourage you not to miss your opportunity either.

Surrender to the Lord to be a valiant prayer warrior, seizing your appointment. Decide today that you will enlist—or possibly reenlist—as a spiritual watchman for the purposes of God in your generation. What a destiny and high calling!

• To read the entire article by James Goll, “Watch and Pray,” CLICK HERE. 
• JOIN WITH OTHERS around the nation who are praying on the wall around-the-clock, by going to our PRAYER WALL HERE.