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All Night Prayer 5418
All Night Prayer 5418
What is prayer?
It is a form of communication-the lifeline and lifeblood of faith, the means by which we express and
experience the reality of God in our lives. Yet many people find prayer difficult. We may struggle to make time
for it, perhaps feeling that everyone else is better at it-more effective, able to do it for longer, or more
consistently. We might see prayer as a chore-as something we ought to do more of, like dieting or violin
practice. Or as something unpalatable that we know would do us good, like cod liver oil. We can also attach a
lot of strange and difficult words to prayer-words like contrition and intercession, petition and oblation. Or we
may think that we have to pray in certain ways and adopt unfamiliar patterns of speech so that we sound holy.
Perhaps, if faith or church is new and unfamiliar, prayer may seem as unfathomable and alien as a foreign
language! But prayer is essentially simple-as simple and as natural as breathing. It is also about God and not
about us. When we focus too much on what we do and how we do it-on where we do it and how often-then
we can miss the point. Prayer is about being with God.
Prayer is a journey-a journey into God and a journey to the deepest, hidden levels of ourselves. To embark on
a life of prayer is to begin a journey of discovery. As we grow and change, so our praying will grow and deepen
too. Prayer, first and foremost, is an encounter with the living God. Prayer breaks into our everyday lives. It
isn’t something apart from real life-it is at the heart of life. And it isn’t something we have to do at a special
time in a special place. We can meet God where ever we are, in the ordinary things we do Sunday to Saturday.
However we must set aside special time at the beginning and end of the day to meet with God. Praying while
driving is good or while doing dishes but the con to that is during those times our attention is divided. We
need quality time to give God undivided attention.
Prayer is about consciously seeking God‘s presence. Prayer involves deliberate actions and practices. But
prayer is also about developing awareness that God is already present in our lives and our world. It involves
tuning in to what God is doing and saying. Prayer is an act of talking to God. It is synonymous to talking to a
friend. We share our thoughts and wait for the friend to respond. It is a two-way communication. When we
pray we speak to God and expect him to hear an answer our prayers. We sometimes do not hear from God
because we do not listen. We speak what is in our minds and leave it there.
Praying people are a bit like satellite dishes on the sides of houses, they’re eager face is up turned to the skies.
All satellite dishes do is face in the right direction and receive messages. Being a satellite dish-or indeed, sitting
in the sun-sounds quite easy. Perhaps we sometimes try too hard when it comes to prayer. Perhaps we need
simply to grasp that-however we feel-God is with us and within us.
Read Luke 11:5-13. People have often misinterpreted the story, thinking that it somehow suggests that God is
fundamentally mean and disinterested and that prayer is nothing more than nagging-we badger God until he
listens to our request in order to shut us up! But the key to this story-and to a similar story that Jesus told in
Luke 18:2-5 where a desperate widow pestered a corrupt judge into giving her justice-is in the phrase how
much more will God...What is important is the contrast between God and the characters in the story. God is
not like the groggy, reluctant friend at midnight, or the hard hearted judge. He is like a loving, generous
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parent. If even that hungry friend and the abused widow eventually got a response to their request, how
much more will God turn a listening ear to the wants and needs of his children.
God, as our father wants us to come to him with the things that concern us. He wants us-with the simplicity
and trust of a child-to expect an audience as we come to him with our names and our restlessness about all
that is not as it should be. I wonder if you have ever had a relationship with someone that seems a bit one
sided? Perhaps you made all the running did all the talking, and the friend seemed negligent or disinterested.
Or alternatively the friend was self absorbed, talking all the time about their needs and concerns, and you felt
overlooked an invisible. We have said already that prayer is a relationship. Healthy relationships are
two-way-mutual and balanced-not one-sided. Prior then should be a two way conversation where we take
time to listen to God rather than just talking.
Let us remember that God is a spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and truth. Read St.
John 4:24. We are made up of body, soul and spirit. In 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Paul exhorts the brethren and he
prayed that their whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless onto the coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ. Hebrews 4:12 declares that the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two edged
sword. Piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit. Our body is our physical make up. Our hands
are made to do things; our feet to go places; our brains to think; eyes are used to see. The body is the fleshly
part of a human. We can only pray with our body: our mouth to say words, I hand lifting up and praise, our
feet dancing, and our whole body moving. God is more than Bodyworks. It is more than a fleshly work. God
does not desire flesh. Galatians 5:16, Paul and his letter to the Galatians church encourages them to walk in
the spirit and they will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Galatians 5:17.
The soul as defined by the Webster Revised Unabridged dictionary of 1913, defines soul as the immortal part
of man; that part which enables him to think; the moral and emotional part of man’s nature. This old is where
a person develops thoughts, feelings and will. It is this part of human that makes decisions and express his
emotions. Read Genesis 2:7.
The spirit is also defined by the Bing dictionary as a spiritual part of human being that is believed to continue
to exist after the body dies. God is a spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and truth.
Read St. John 4:24. For believers to have a relationship and communication with God we have to speak the
same language. We have to communicate with God through the Spirit. Our spirit needs to communicate with
God spirit and then we can have a two way communication. God will speak to us through his Spirit. 1 Cor
2:9-11 reveals what God has for us and how he communicates with us.
To have a continuous, productive spiritual life, we must communicate with God through the Spirit. Our spirit
must connect with God. Ephesians 6:18. Praying always means on every occasion that we pray.
Jesus prayed in Gethsemane, Luke 22:40. Jesus prayed for strength and while he prayed and angel appeared
from heaven and strengthen to him. Jesus was in pain but he prayed more earnestly and his sweat was as it
were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. Jesus’ example shows us that we should pray constantly
and consistently lest we fall into temptation. Jesus prayed for Peter that his faith might not fail. Luke 22:31-32.
Jesus prayed a prayer of Thanksgiving after they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid.
John 11:41-43. Jesus prayed and because he prayed we should do likewise. He did it as an example for us to
follow. We should pray before we undertake any task, before we cast out devils in Jesus’ name, before we
select leaders in our church or before we make any decisions. Jesus did it and we need to do the same. It is not
my will but thine be done.
Remember the satellite dishes we talked about earlier? All they do is point in the right direction and wait for a
signal. God is not a vending machine, programmed to give us whatever we want if only we get the right coin in
the right slot. He is Almighty God, mysterious and unfathomable-raging fire and still, small voice. If God seems
silent or if you feel deaf today, pray again today or pray again tomorrow.
Communicating our worries and longings to God should be a natural part of our relationship with Him. By
praying, we develop and cement this relationship. In the Gospels, Jesus talks about prayer as an active thing
using the imagery of keys and locks tying and untying, binding and loosing. Matthew 16:19. By praying, we
become active participants in God‘s plan. So many times we think because we prayed then certain things
happened but in truth and in fact prayer puts us in a position to see the plan of God manifest; God already has
His plan scheduled. He simply includes us when we pray. Whether or not we understand the mechanics of
what happens when we pray, we should pray anyway; pray in faith that it will somehow, perhaps in ways we’ll
never fully grasp, make a difference. Prayer will certainly make a difference to the way we view the world-and
in turn to how we act.
Prayer is an active communication with God. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things
not seen. Hebrews 11. Prayer is communicating with God and believing in our hearts that the job is already
accomplished. Thanking the Lord for the job that is done. Then act on our feet. Put faith to the test. James
2:26. Our faith should not be wavering. We should not be swaying to and fro believing today and doubting
tomorrow. We should put our faith to action without wavering. James 1:6-but let him ask in faith not
wavering. For he that waiver it is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. A wavering mind shall
receive nothing from the Lord. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord. James 1:7.
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What are the different types of prayer?
The Bible reveals many types of prayers and employs a variety of words to describe the practice. For example,
1 Timothy 2:1 says, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be
made for all people.” Here, all four of the main Greek words used for prayer are mentioned in one verse.
The Bible also speaks of praying in the Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:14-15) and prayers when we are unable to think
of adequate words (Romans 8:26-27). In those times, the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us.
Prayer is conversation with God and should be made without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). As we grow in
our love for Jesus Christ, we will naturally desire to talk to Him.
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Prayer Watches
In James 5:16, we are told that the “prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” As we pray, we
stand watch over our families, cities, and nations. Just as men stood on city walls in the Bible to watch for
approaching danger, God calls us to be modern-day watchmen and warn those who are in danger (2 Kings
9:17-18). In an attempt to get His disciples to stay awake and “watch”, Jesus asked them “could you not watch
with me one hour?” (Matt 26:40, Mark 14:37). He came back the second time and said to them “watch and
pray” (Matt 26:41) so that we will not fall into temptation.
Watch means to look at (someone or something) for an amount of time and pay attention to what is
happening. It also means a period of time when a person or group is responsible for guarding or protecting
someone or something. A division of time. Biblical definition of watchman: Used to designate a sentinel on the
city walls (2 Samuel 18:25; 2 Kings 9:18;Psalms 127:1; Isaiah 62:6) or on the hilltops (Jeremiah 31:6). Song of
Solomon 3:3;5:7 introduces another class, "the watchmen that go about the city," and thus, it would seem,
points to some system of municipal police. The distinction in meaning between the various words is clear,
tsopheh having the idea of "outlooker" and notser that of "careful watcher" (being applied even to besiegers
from outside: Jeremiah, "watchers"), while shomer also embraces the idea of "defending" or "guarding." In
Isaiah 21:6 metsappeh is to be taken generally in the sense of "watch." In Sirach 37:14 skopos, means simply
"looker." (Encyclopedias - International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Watchman).
For the purpose of our study we understand that “watch” refers to looking at someone or something for an
amount of time and paying attention to it as well as being responsible for guarding or protecting someone.
The watchman has responsibility for being a careful watcher and sounding an alarm to warn the people of
impeding danger. The watchman must be alert at all times. Jesus admonishes us to “Take heed, watch and
pray; for you do not know when the time [of Christ’s coming] is. It is like a man going to a far country, who left
his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch”
(Mark 13:33-37). Take heed to what he has said. We must read his word to know what God is saying to us.
Watch for signs of what God has spoken and the manifestation of his word. Pray continuously and regularly
that we can be close enough to God to hear his instructions.
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.”
Today more than ever, it is important that we pray and seek the mind of the Lord: “Thy Kingdom come. Thy
will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). Major decisions we are confronted with require us to
know God’s individual will for our lives. With the Holy Spirit’s leading, we can discover God’s will and expose
the plans of the enemy through strategic prayer.
The Bible speaks of “watches,” which are specific times of the day or night. There are basically eight watches
covering 24 hours. This is because everyone has a prayer watch, even though they may not know it. This is
why you may find yourself repeatedly praying at specific times of the day or evening. If you have ever been
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awakened during the night or are wondering why you are being led to pray at specific times, it is probably
because God wants you to pray or intercede for someone. Every prayer watch has a purpose.
First Watch (The Evening Watch from 6:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.)
A Time of Quiet Reflection
Jesus used the Evening Watch to go aside and pray (Matthew 14:15-23). After the business of the day is a time
to release anxieties to the Lord before going to sleep. This is a time to meditate on God’s Word. Meditation
quiets our emotions, realigns our mind, and frees our will to do the will of God. What we could not hear
clearly earlier in the day, we begin to hear during this time. During this watch, ask God to give you clear
directions for the next day and about His call on your life.
Jesus also healed many sick people during this time (Mark 1:32; Luke 4:40). This watch is usually for those who
have a strong apostolic calling and anointing to break strongholds and walls. This watch is for seasoned
Christians who are determined to do mighty things with boldness in the Lord.
Period for covenant renewal with God
Through Jesus Christ, we have a Covenant with God. In this watch, we can ask God to manifest the blessings of
His Covenant into our lives. This is also a time to release judgment on the wicked and decree into the new day
God’s blessings upon our life, family, church, city and nation Whatever happens during the day is determined
to a large extent by what is done during the night. The evening is the “foundation” of night and the beginning
of the watches. People involved in the occult say that they begin their active witchcraft at midnight. If we
begin to pray strategically during this watch with the Holy Spirit’s leading, we can prevent the kingdom of
darkness from releasing curses on the new day.
Prayer decrees for this prayer watch: Father, in the name of Jesus,
▪ I am your child by faith in Christ Jesus, and I renew my covenant commitment to love you with all my
heart, soul and strength. Through Jesus Christ, I am Abraham’s descendant and inheritor of the
covenant blessings you promised to Abraham (Galatians 3:26, 27, 29).
▪ You have put Your laws in my mind, and You have written them on my heart. You are my God and I
belong to You. You will forgive my wickedness and You will never again remember my sins (Hebrews
8:10, 12).
▪ Your Word is like a lamp that guides my steps and a light that shows the path I should take. (Psalm
119:105).
▪ Your words are what sustain me; they are food to my hungry soul. Your Word bring joy to my heart
because I have hidden it in my heart so that I might not sin against you (Jeremiah 15:16; Psalm 119:11).
▪ You are my God and I trust You with all my heart and do not depend on my own understanding. I seek
Your will in all I do, and You instruct me and guide me along the best pathway for my life. You advise
me and watch my progress; Even at night, You give me wisdom and tell me what to do (Proverbs 3: 5-6;
Psalm 32:8, 16:7).
▪ I take delight in You and You give me my heart’s desires (Psalm 37:4). I trust You and I lack no good
thing (Psalm 34:10). You supply all my needs from Your riches in glory because of what Christ Jesus has
done (Philippians 4:19), and I have plenty to give to every good work (2 Cor. 9:8). I have favor, good
understanding and esteem in Your sight and in the sight of man (Prov. 3:4).
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This is a powerful watch to be on when commanding the morning and setting things in place before the devil
and his demons have a chance to ruin it. Plane crashes, car crashes, deaths, job loss, and many other acts of
the devil can be stopped during this watch when intercessors obey the voice of the Lord and saturate this time
with powerful, Spirit-led prayers.
Time for spiritual warfare
This is the time to awake out of sleep and confront every storm of destruction and distraction that is robbing
you of God’s blessings and provisions on your life. Also, it is the time to speak peace and calm into every
situation of turbulence and confusion.
Time to strengthen yourself spiritually and seek direction
Be vigilant during this time and watch for God’s revelation for breakthrough and for His plans and purposes for
your life and territory.
Time to pray for release from every prison
The Apostle Paul and Silas were released from prison during this time (Acts 16:25). In addition, God released
the people of Israel from Egypt at this time (Exodus 12:310). According to Judges 16:3-4, Samson escaped from
Gaza at midnight by pulling up the gates of the city and carrying them out with him.
Time to make your case in prayer
This is the period to pray for God’s provision to be released (Luke 11:5-13; Acts 16:3). It is also time for
miracles and for applying the Blood of Jesus.
Dreams flow during this hour
Often, we are awakened during this time with dreams God has given to us. God uses dreams and visions to
bring instruction and counsel to us as we sleep. He also reveals areas where we need to concentrate our
prayers and intercession. “In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls upon men, while
slumbering on their beds, then He opens the ears of men, and seals their instructions.” (Job 33:15).
The devil can also attack you in dreams (nightmares), so always pray before you go to sleep and ask God to
keep you from the enemy’s devices.
Prayer Decrees for this prayer watch:
▪ Father, I plead the blood of Jesus against all demons of the night, nightmares, torment and
sleeplessness. Father, I ask that you protect my mind while I sleep. In peace, I will lie down and sleep,
for You alone, O Lord, will keep me safe. (Psalms 4:8)
▪ Father, by the blood of Jesus and the power of His Name, I spoil every attack of the enemy. I cancel and
forcefully oppose any satanic operations and strategies which are designed to hinder and prevent Your
plans and purpose for my life from manifesting.
▪ Father, You said in Your Word that whatever we bind on earth is bound in heaven; whatever we loose
on earth is loosed in heaven. Therefore, through the name of Jesus and the power of His Blood, I bind
and break all witchcraft, curses, spells, and powers of darkness working against me. I cancel every
attack of oppression, depression, perversion, distraction, hindrance and deception. No evil shall befall
me or plague come near my dwelling. No weapon formed against me will prosper, for You order Your
angels to protect me wherever I go. They will hold me up in their hands so my foot will not hit against a
stone. (Psalm 91: 11-12)
▪ Father, You give me the desires and secret petitions of my heart because I delight myself in You (Psalm
37:4). I proclaim that You are my provision. I have no lack in my family, my body or my finances. You
supply all my needs according to Your glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).
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Fourth Watch (The Morning Watch from 3:00 A.M. to 6:00 A.M.)
This fourth watch is always important because this is the last watch of the night. This watch is the time that
satanic agents who went out to perform their activities are returning to their bases. This is the time of the
morning when the Israelites were delivered from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 12 and 14). This is also the time
Jesus walked on the water to help the disciples who were caught in the storm (Matthew 14:25-33). This is the
time to establish the course of your day by speaking God’s Word and breaking everything that would attempt
to hinder His will for your life to manifest on third day. (Psalm 19:2).
Command your morning
Matthew 24:43 says: “But know this, that 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.” This is a
disciplined prayer watch for those who have the power and training to wake up early in the morning and set
the atmosphere. This is the time for all of the enemy’s plans and strategies to fail. This watch is for gaining
territory, establishing the spirit of prosperity and stopping the devil from hijacking blessings and favor. This
prayer watch sets our day before it begins. This is an opportunity to set things in place before the devil and his
demons have a chance to ruin it. Accidents, deaths, thefts, job loss, and any other acts of the devil can be
stopped during this watch when intercessors obey the voice of the Lord and fill the morning with powerful
prayers.
Time for Declaring God’s Word
This is a time for angelic activity or intervention and a time for blessings from heaven. When we pray, the Lord
hears our prayers and sends His angels to work on our behalf. Consecrate all the work for the day and pray for
protection for God’s people throughout the day. “You will make your prayer to Him, He will hear you, and you
will pay your vows. You will also declare a thing and it will be established for you; so light will shine on your
ways” (Job 22:27-28).
Prayer Decrees for this prayer watch:
Father, in Jesus’ Name…
▪ You have gone before me to prepare my way, to make the crooked way straight, and to make the
rough way smooth. Father, I entrust my work to You and You cause my plans to succeed and
everything I set my hands to do prospers (Proverbs 16:3). Father, today I have favor with all who look
upon me and Your favor makes a circle around me, enclosing me and covering me like a shield. You will
work out Your plans for my life because Your faithful love endures forever.
▪ I enforce Your plans and purpose for my life over and against the plans and purpose of Satan. Satan,
the blood of Jesus is against you. You have no authority over my life. No weapon that is used against
me will succeed, and anyone who speaks against me will be proven wrong because my vindication
comes from God (Isaiah 54:17).
▪ You will defeat my enemies; they will come against me but scatter before me in seven directions!
(Deuteronomy 28:7)
Fifth Watch (The Early Morning Watch from 6:00 A.M. – 9:00 A.M.)
Time that God strengthens Christians (Acts 2:15; Psalm 2:7-9)
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The spiritual significant of sunrise is having Jesus Christ, the King of kings and the Lord of lords, rise over us
(Malachi 4:2). During this watch, pray for such issues as healing in your body, relationships, family,
government, and the economy.
Time for the Holy Spirit to prepare us for service (2 Corinthians 9:30; Ephesians 4:12)
Acts 2:15 says it was the “third hour of the day” (or 9:00 A.M.) when the Holy Spirit descended in the Upper
Room on the day of Pentecost to equip the 120 disciples for service. Regular work schedules usually begin
between the hours of 6:00 A.M. and 9:00 A.M. As you step out, ask the Holy Spirit to equip you for the day.
Prayer Decrees for this watch:
Father, in the name of Jesus…
▪ This day I entrust my work to You and I know my plans will work out well because I can do everything
You ask me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power. (Philippians 4:13; Proverbs
16:3)
▪ Because I reverence Your Name, Your goodness shines on me like the sun with healing in its rays.
(Malachi 4:2)
▪ I praise You and never forget how kind You are to me! You forgive all my sins and heal all my
sicknesses. You save me from the grave and surround me with loving-kindness and tender mercies.
(Psalm 103:2- 4)
▪ I plead the Blood of Jesus over myself. I cover my body, mind, emotions and spirit with the Blood of
Jesus. I plead the Blood of Jesus against physical, mental and emotional abuse. I plead the Blood of
Jesus against any diseases, viruses or illnesses that would try to overtake me. I release the healing
virtue of Jesus Christ into my body. I curse at the root every attack upon my health. Jehovah-Rophe
healed me and keeps me in perfect health all the days of my life. I plead the Blood of Jesus against
calamities, catastrophes and any hidden dangers that would try to come against me. Through the
Blood of Jesus, I have been redeemed out of the hands of the devil.
Sixth Watch (9:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M.)
Time to see God’s promises fulfilled
This is a time to watch for the Word of the Lord to be fulfilled in your life. This is also the time to receive the
supply of all resources needed for every project God has assigned you to fulfill (Exodus 12:35-36). This was the
time that the Israelites got everything that they had to use to build the Tabernacle in the wilderness. Pray for
the provision to accomplish whatever God wants you to do.
Time to reflect on the power of the blood (healing, prosperity, forgiveness, strength)
During this time, Christ was sentenced and crucified at the third hour, or 9:00 A.M. (Mark 15:25, Matthew
27:45). After having been on the tree for three hours, darkness came upon the face of the earth at 12:00 P.M.
and continued until 3:00 P.M., when the period of darkness ended. Because of Christ’s crucifixion, we must
crucify the deeds of our flesh according to Romans 8:12-15. We must die to flesh and commit ourselves to
Jesus Christ.
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▪ Because I reverence Your Name, Your goodness shines on me like the sun with healing in its rays.
(Malachi 4:2)
▪ I praise You and never forget how kind You are to me! You forgive all my sins and heal all my
sicknesses. You save me from the grave, and You surround me with loving-kindness and tender
mercies. (Psalm 103:2-4)
▪ I give myself completely to You, as a living person who has been raised from the dead, and I offer
myself as a tool in Your hands for Your good purposes.
The Seventh Watch (12:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M.)
Midday is an hour of rest and a time to seek the Lord. During this watch, Christ was on the Cross atoning for
the sins of the world and restoration man’s relationship with God. Additionally, Peter had a vision of the clean
and the unclean animals which God used to let Peter know that God was including the Gentiles in His
redemptive plan. Also, it was during this watch that Daniel always went home to pray.
Unfortunately, this is also the time for destruction to run rampant in our nation.
Time of the Secret Place of the Most High (Psalm 91:1)
It is very important to pray in line with Acts 10:9 and Psalm 91:5,6, 14. This is the time to pray to “dwell in the
secret place of the Most High, abiding under the shadow of the Almighty,” and making the Most High your
habitation. Pray and cut off all satanic arrows that are released at this time so that they will not get you or
your family.
Time of letting your light shine brighter (Proverbs 4:18)
The midday is the beginning of the sixth hour (12:00 P.M.) This is the time when the sun is at its fullest and
brightest. Pray that your life would be bright. This is also the time to pray to not be led into any temptation,
trap or snare of the enemy.
Prayer Decrees for this prayer watch:
▪ Father, because Christ lives in me, His light shines through me, and I live so that people will see the
good things I do and praise You in heaven. (Matthews 5:16)
▪ Father, I live within Your shadow and You shelter me. You are the God who is above all gods. You alone
are my refuge and place of safety. You are my God and I trust You. Father, You will rescue me from
every trap and protect me from deadly disease. You cover me with Your feathers and shelter me with
Your wings. Your faithful promises are my armor and protection. I will not be afraid of the terrors of
the night nor the arrow that flies in the day. I will not dread the disease that stalks in darkness nor the
disaster that strikes at midday. Father, You said, You will rescue those who love You and protect those
who trust in Your name. When they call on You, You will answer. You will be with me in trouble and will
rescue and honor me. You will reward me with a long life and give me Your salvation.
Eighth Watch (3:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.)
The Hour of Dying to Self and Rejoicing in the Power of Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ died during this watch. (3:00 P.M.) He took on the sins of man so that we can be reconciled to God
through the His Blood. Those who accept Jesus’ sacrifice can now live a triumphant life through Him and are
allowed to come boldly before the throne of God the Father. As Jesus died and was resurrected, so the Bible
calls us to die to self and live for Jesus. The Apostle Paul said in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with
Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God,
who loved me and gave himself for me.” After His resurrection, Jesus Christ gave us power to live a life of
victory and the authority to accomplish God’s will here on earth: “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All
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authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey
everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew
28:18-20, NIV).
Prayer Decrees for this prayer watch:
▪ Father, in the name of Jesus, I have been crucified with Christ: and I myself no longer live, but Christ
lives in me. The life I now live, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
(Galatians 2:20)
▪ I give myself completely to You. I am a tool in Your hands, to be used for Your good purposes. Sin has
no power over me because I am no longer tied to the law where sin enslaves me, but I am free under
Your favor and mercy. (Galatians 2:20; Romans 6: 13-14)
▪ You have made me what I am. You have created me in Christ Jesus to live a life filled with good works
that You have prepared for me to do. (Ephesians 2:10)
▪ You have begun a good work within me and You will continue to help me grow in Your grace until Your
task within me is finally finished on that day when Jesus Christ returns. (Philippians 1:6)
Ensure that your prayer is complete by remembering ACTS — not the book of the Bible, but the acronym.
ACTS is a great summary of the model prayer found in Matthew. The ACTS prayer goes like this:
● Adoration: Give God praise and honor for who he is as Lord over all.
● Confession: Honestly deal with the sin in your prayer life.
● Thanksgiving: Verbalize what you’re grateful for in your life and in the world around you.
● Supplication: Pray for the needs of others and yourself.
Bibliography:
(1) Grace, C.B. “Prayer Watches,” Ezekiel Regiment Prayer Ministry of San Marcos Texas, March 24,
2009. http://ezekielregiment.wordpress.com/2009/03/24/prayer-watches/
(2) Stewart, Malachi. “The Eight Prayer Watches,” Prophetic Streams Ministries, July
12, 2011. http://www.propheticstreams.webs.com/apps/blog/entries/show/7685793-the-eight-prayer
-watches
(3) Prayer, The Great Adventure by David Jeremiah.
(4) Exploring Prayer by Sue Mayfield
(5) Empowerment for the Christian Walk by Mrs Donna Maria Baker
(6) The ACTS Method of Christian Prayer By Richard Wagner
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