Isaiah 62: 6-7 - Watch and Pray

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Exposition

I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem – God has called His servants to be on watch duty over the Church and the people. They are called to watch and pray for the government and the nation state too. As an adult man or woman, it is your responsibility to watch for your family too.

The watchman is meant to be on the lookout for the enemy approaching the city gates and informing the soldiers of what is about to happen.  It is safe to assume that many know that our adversary, the devil goes about seeking whom to devour. Therefore there is an urgent need for you to be diligent and courageous in your watchman duties. Today the adversary uses new methods in trying to breach your defenses, so it is imperative that you wake up and stand firm, refusing to be mincemeat for it to swallow.

Take a moment to understand that the scripture says, ‘I have set’. God has set means He has empowered you and you have all it takes as you depend on Him to help you in your duties.

which shall never hold their peace day nor night, ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence, and give him no rest,  - The watch man is on duty all the time. 1 Thessalonians 5: 17 tell us to pray without ceasing. Luke 18: 1b says that men ought always to pray, and not to faint. Persistence is required by you. This means you are meant to sleep with one eye open. The watch man is ever ready; the scriptures are a part and parcel of your being. You know your rights as a child of God and you are enforcing the victory that Christ gave to you on the cross of cavalry.

till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth – You are to continue to pray until your prayers are answered. After all the Bible says you should continue to ask until your joy is full. You are being encouraged to continue in prayer until such a time that the Church and its members become famous, a time when the outsider will indeed see you and declare that you are blessed by God. In answer to your prayers, there will be an increase in the House of God on every side, there will be unity and the love of Christ will wax strong.

Prayer

Help me to walk in the available grace to watch on behalf of the Church and my family. Grant me the required resilience I need as a watch man. Help me to tarry in the place of prayer. Open my eyes to all the tools for victory at all times. Help me to desire a deeper relationship with You.  Let my voice be respected in heaven at all times. I ask for speedy answers to all my prayers in Jesus name. I pray that I will always have a reason to praise You every day of my life in Jesus name. Amen.

Bible Reading Plan in a Year

Old Testament - Genesis 11:10-32, Genesis 12, Genesis 13

New Testament - Matthew 5:21-42

Psalms & Proverbs - Psalm 5:1-12

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Habakkuk 2: 1 - Watch and Pray

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Exposition

I will stand upon my watch – Prophets watch whether in good times or in times of distress. Whatever they see or hear, they are meant to pass on to the people.

You have a watch too!!! You have a responsibility to watch. You might be a father or mother, even a child or a minster or member serving a group. You might be a business owner or an employer. It is time to start watching.

Give up yourself to prayer. Look up to God for direction or ask Him for insight into situations. Your wards need Godly guidance and it is only from prayer that the answers will come.

and set me upon the tower – From the tower the watchman could see attackers before they got to the gates of the city.

As you make a decision to set yourself apart to pray, your eyes of understanding are enlightened. In your tower, you will start to fight and the victory gained for you by Christ, you will be able to enforce. The tower is also a place where you read the word of God and you meditate on it.

and will look forth to see what he will speak with me – God still speaks and as the prophet looked forward to hearing from God, so must you expect God to speak with you. The scriptures tell us that the expectation of the righteous will not cut off.

The Lord speaks in small audible voices and also through direct impressions on our hearts. That is why external noises have to be cut off when we are praying.

and what I shall answer concerning my complaint – God is expecting you to plead your case and He has answers which He wants you to pass on to those in your sphere of influence.

Prayer

It is time to pray, help me Father in Jesus name. Help me Father to stand. Help me not to give up or give in. Help me to overcome the challenges of fatigue or discouragement in Jesus name. Help me to dedicate a set time and place where I will always meet with you.

I ask Lord that you teach me how to recognise when you speak to you. Grant me boldness to be able to say what needs to be said to you.

I thank you, my prayer answering Father in Jesus might name. Amen.

Mark 14:38 - Watch and Pray

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Exposition

These were the words of Christ spoken while in the garden of Gethsemane. A reading of the earlier verses will put the verse into proper perspective for you.

Keep watching and praying – This is Jesus encouraging you to keep watching and praying. The encouragement is borne out of His love for you. Remember He has seen the end from the beginning. Jesus is our example, who when faced with the reality of His impending death, prayed. It is beneficial to you to be watchful so you’ll learn how the enemy works. Temptation does not come carrying a giant placard saying – saying I am temptation. It mostly creeps in appealing to your base instincts and before you know it, you are overcome. The enemy comes in the big things and the little things too. That is why you must be watchful.

The devil wants to bring you down. John says he goes about like a roaring lion seeking whom to devour. Your determination today, is you or your children will not be mincemeat for the devil. It is your responsibility for have a discerning spirit and to use it. Spending time in prayer brings one closer to the Maker and it sharpens you, ready for battle.

Importantly you must learn about yourself. Which areas am I weak? What do I seem to be struggling with? This is so that you can see the enemy coming a mile away and you run. After all the bible enjoins that you should abstain from every form of evil.

that you may not come into temptation – Prayer will help you in times of temptation or sin. The bible says it is only the arrogant who will think he can’t fall into temptation.

There is danger in you missing out on the opportunities that Jesus is bringing your way.

There is danger in you going back to your old ways before who accepted Christ as your saviour from the life of sin and death.

There is danger in falling to false pastors who are agents of the devil.

There is danger of being sucked into the cares that are worldy and of no benefit to your eternity.

the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak – The weak flesh is programmed to succumb to temptation. Continue to feed your spirit and deny the flesh. Fasting helps to subdue the flesh.

There is victory for you.

Prayer

I ask for help in resisting temptation. I do not have any power of my own, help me father.

When I am in your presence, the enemy can’t get to me. Help me father to dwell perpetually in your presence.

Help me father to be watchful at all times.

There is a saying that the devil finds work for idle hands. Help me to be focused on the work you have placed in my hands.

Teach me how to pray. Help me father to be able to tarry in the place of prayer. Thank you father for loving and caring for me.

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