Watches in the Bible are periods of time during which a group of people are responsible for watching out for danger or trouble.
In the book of Genesis, when Noah and his family entered the ark, they had to keep watch over the animals that came with them. They were on watch for 40 days and 40 nights until they were safe from God’s wrath.
In Matthew 14:25-32, Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness being tempted by Satan. At one point he was hungry and asked God for food; this was seen as a test of his resolve. The number 40 is also used as a symbol of testing or temptation in other parts of scripture. For example, Jesus came back from being tempted by Satan after having fasted for forty days (Matthew 4:2).
Understanding the Eight Prayer Watches
God calls Christians to be modern-day watchmen and pray, Therefore, our understanding of the eight prayer watches allows us to pray strategically.
James 5:16, tells us that the “prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” As we pray, we stand watch over our families, cities, and nation. Just as men stood on city walls in the Bible to watch for approaching danger,
Watch and Pray
Jesus told His disciples to watch and pray (Matthew 26:41). To watch and pray means to be spiritually alert at all times so that we can see when Satan is at the door, desiring to entrap us. The watchman on the wall, in biblical times, was always on guard against any attempt of an enemy to attack or infiltrate the city. Similarly, we are to watch not only for the enemy’s activity but also for the manifestation of God’s plans. If we watch for the enemy and announce his activity, we can avert the devil’s plans to steal, kill and destroy what God has for us. Jesus said in Matthew 24:43, “But know this, if the good man of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.”
Oftentimes, we are confronted with having to make major decisions that will impact our lives and the lives of loved ones. It is important that we pray and seek the mind of God. When Jesus prayed to the Father, He said, “Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven,” (Matthew 6:10). We can discover God’s will and thwart the plans of the enemy through strategic prayer and the Holy Spirit’s leading.
God’s divine assignment
The Bible speaks of “watches,” which are specific times of the day or night. There are basically eight watches covering a 24 hour period. In Isaiah 62:6 (NIV), God said that He posted watchmen on the walls: “I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night.” This is a divine assignment. God has appointed Christians to be His watchmen on the walls and pray for the fulfillment of His promises.
All Christians have a prayer watch, even though we may not be aware of it. If you are repeatedly awakened at a particular time at night or led to pray at a certain time in the day, then this would be your prayer watch. In other words, this is the time God has called you to petition Him in prayer or to intercede on behalf of someone.
Understanding the eight prayer watches
Every prayer watch has a purpose. Therefore, understanding each watch will help you know the most strategic times to pray for God’s will to be done in your life and in the lives of others. To read more about the eight prayer watches, click on the titles of the watches below.
