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PRAYER WATCH – 2009 THE BREAKING FORTH OF A NEW DAY
What it’s all about….
We are about to embark upon a spiritual journey that will hopefully change the way that we approach our ‘typical’ prayer times as well as increase the intensity of our personal relationship with JESUS forever. God is in the process of settling and establishing apostolic ministry and spiritual authority. In connection to this establishment the Spirit God is calling watchmen tuned to the Spirit, connected to God’s unfolding purpose and plan. We are those watchmen and we are being summoned by the Spirit of God to a time of specific, strategic prayer and preparation for the season that is set before us.
The following prayer agenda is designed to intimately connect us to God and His unfolding purpose in our time. This season of ‘watches’ that we are preparing to enter will prepare us for the days ahead; these will be days of harvest, productivity, and restoration. In Scripture the day often represents or symbolizes Kingdom labor, productivity and authority. It is noteworthy however, that the day is preceded by the evening hours and the early morning preparations for the day to come. It is interesting to note that in the Jewish mind the Sabbath of the following day begins at sundown the day before. This seems to be significant in that the preparation for the day of the Lord’s activity begins long before the sun of that day ever actually rises.
This is what God is calling us into… a day of authority, productivity, blessing, restoration and harvest. This ‘day’ however, will not break forth of its own accord hence God has set watches of prayer and watchmen within these ‘watches’ (or times of prayer) to prepare for the breaking of the day. We will arise then and declare “This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
Our prayer agenda over the next 60 days is set in accordance with the four watches of the night utilized in New Testament times to mark the hours of the night. These ‘watches’ were actually set in order during the time when Rome ruled much of the known world. These were actually military and civil watches but seemed to coincide with similar watches set by God Himself in Old Testament times. To us, ‘the watchmen on the wall,’ these watches represent certain seasons and modes of focused prayer and meditation.
The first watch: 6PM-9PM, the second watch: 9PM-12AM, the third watch: 12AM-3AM, the fourth watch: 3AM-6AM (daybreak). It was during the evening hours and the dark of the night that much preparation was done in the temple of God for the sacrifices that were to take place at the breaking of the following day. It was also a time of recuperation and stillness as the evening brought reflection of the day before. All in all, it seems to be a time of hearing, understanding and recalibrating of the spiritual senses.
In our society of busyness and chaos it has become increasingly necessary for us to steal away and focus on what God’s plan is for the church and for our individual life. This prayer agenda will provide a place for spiritual things that have been dormant in our lives to come to life again. Hopefully for someone it will also be a time of ‘new things’ where God is able to do in us what He has never been able to do before. We would like to invite you to join us as watchmen on the wall as we enter not only a new year, but a new dimension of the work of the Spirit of God in and through us.
Here’s what to do…
We would ask that during each of these times that you create a specific place in your home and schedule to seek the face of God for at least one hour during the particular watch of focus. The first watch (6-9PM) begins as of January 1. This is the time of the setting of the sun and according to Scripture the evening watch seems to be a time of meditation and learning to listen for divine instructions. We find this in the book of origins (Genesis) when God spoke to Adam and his wife in the ‘cool of the day.’ There are things that God will speak to you during this watch, after the busyness of your day has settled. Our first evening watch will begin as of January 1 and will go through January 15th, when we will transition into the second watch (9PM-12AM). You may find that with some of these watches and seasons of prayer that you will have to be creative with your schedule, but I can assure you that you will not be disappointed if you make the effort!
For each ‘watch’ we have provided some Scriptures for focus, giving some directive as to what to seek for and expect during this particular season of prayer and meditation. Thank you for joining us in this. Please contact us and let us know what you are experiencing or hearing from God during these seasons of prayer. May God go mightily before in 2009 to strengthen, settle and establish you… IN JESUS NAME!
1st WATCH: January 1-15
Please be mindful that in this initial prayer watch; it may not be a time of forceful prayer or intercession, and there is a specific reason for this. This time throughout Scripture seems to be given to revelation and clarity of mind. You may find God talking to you more than you talking to Him. This particular watch is set to make that possible- after all, prayer is communion, conversation between us and God and if we are to go forth and prosper, we need an agenda and a directive that can only come from Him. So, relax and prayerfully listen.
· If you are considering personal consecration (fasting), the first watch is a perfect time to do so in that it lends to much self searching simply because God is the one that is doing most of the talking and re-adjusting in this time.
Day 1 1 Kings 18:36 note the fire that fell upon the altar of impossibility “at the time of the evening sacrifice.” The reason for this seems to be that all other sacrifices done during the daytime hours were for people, forgiveness, disease, dedication, and so on. But the evening sacrifice, the last one of the day belonged completely to God; it was done for no one else but Him. Take this evening and don’t ask Him for anything, just thank Him, let Him speak…. It is the first day of the New Year, it belongs to Him- it is the ‘day the Lord has made,’ and it will break forth into many more! (Psalm 141:2)
Day 2 Genesis 3:8 God’s voice is “still and small.” After the day has settled, in this time we are learning to hear from Him. A cleansing of the heart and the mind from the cares of this day- God has granted this season to tune our hearts to hear things that we have missed through the noise and volume of life. “Speak Oh Lord for Thy servant heareth!”
Day 3 Genesis 1:5-31 the great works of creation were not declared until the evening, the close of the day. There are great works of God that have been set through the day and through the years. Take this evening and declare those works. Thank God that He has called them ‘good,’ and that He will; “perfect that which concerns us all.”
Day4 A day of rest and reflection on your journey thus far through prayer.
Day 5 Genesis 24:11, 63, 64 Notice that a relationship was born at ‘eventide,’ or in the evening. God turned the attention of Isaac and Rebekah toward one another fulfilling God’s promise, Abraham’s prayer and Isaac’s need. In addition it was this relationship and provision that comforted Isaac during a time of loss and mourning concerning the recent passing of his mother. This evening God is comforting and revealing a new provision in place of things that may have been lost or misplaced (children, promises, and works of God’s will in our life).
Day 6 1 Samuel 30:17 by the evening, note…. All was recovered. Declare it in this evening watch… “I SHALL RECOVER IT ALL!!!!”
Day 7 Ezra Chapters 9 & 10; though a lengthy reading- is an awesome example of the evening being a time of repentance, reflection and restoration. Declare it as a time of great awakening in our country, in our churches and in our families!!!! AMEN.
Day8 Ester 2:14 It was the evening when Ester first came into the king and obtained great favor in his sight. There are two kings that we are to contend with as dual citizens of heaven and earth. The more prevalent ‘kings’ to us in this world are those that we contend with daily; bosses, government officials, or other powers that be. Pray for them that God will give us favor before these ‘powers,’ so that we may live and walk as the children of the blessed in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. The second ‘king,’ is not just any king but He is the ‘KING of kings,’ and in this time of evening sacrifice we shall obtain favor as his children in His courts -new anointing, fresh word, fresh focus.
Day 9 Psalm 55:17 it is the ‘evening’ that is sighted as the beginning of seasons- according to the Jewish understanding the Sabbath begins the evening before the actual day; the next day starts the evening before. This is significant to us as children of God; our time of learning and listening is valuable and necessary for our spiritual success. It is here in the evening that we learn to hear the voice and God and come to know and understand what His direction is for each season of life.
Day 10 Genesis 8:11 the dove came to Noah in the evening with a sign of new life. There is a new day beginning in your life and in the church world in general. In this evening time pray for that sign of hope, evidence, the ‘ram in the bush.’ This will be God’s promise that the trail is over, the waters have receded and it is time to possess a new land.
Day 11 A day of rest and reflection on your journey thus far through prayer.
Day12 Genesis 30:16 Records a time of intimacy and cost. It was this night that a child was conceived, and we must also in the evening season seek God for means and ideas to bring forth spiritual fruit in our life.
Day 13 Exodus 12:6 the Passover lamb was to be kept until the 14th day and then sacrificed in the evening of that 14th day; this was the time of deliverance for the children of Israel. This ‘evening sacrifice’ is significant of the strategy for deliverance. May God give us a new plan and idea for deliverance from old ways of thinking and doing as we approach this evening sacrifice.
Day 14 1 Samuel 14:24 It was often custom to break fasts in the evening. To those that have not tasted any food (spiritually) all day… God is going to cause you in this evening to break that fast and partake of the feast that awaits you in His presence. 1 Kings 17:6 it was evening time when the ravens were sent of God to feed the prophet. Seek the Lord that He will provide with fresh provision in your circumstance and that there will be a spiritual sustaining evening in the midst of famine!
Day 15 Zechariah 14:7 “… in the evening time there shall be light.” Despite present darkness of circumstance or of the age, in this evening watch there is a new light shinning, fresh revelation, and renewed faith. (Isaiah 9:2)
NOTE: Tomorrow you enter a new watch of prayer from 9PM-MIDNIGHT (make necessary adjustments in your schedule if needed).
Day 16
Today is the day of the 2nd watch. Your new prayer watch begins at 9PM-MIDNIGHT. It is time now to transition from hearing to preparing for breaking forth into deeper prayers and spiritual warfare. The night has now come on, not the dark of night, but settling in of the night. This is a very significant time for those of us watching. We will spend the next fifteen days in this, the second watch securing things within our life and within the temple and purpose of God. Making sure there is enough oil to last through the night and securing the gates and entry ways of our hearts. It is during this watch that we meet with the midnight hour. In Scripture the midnight hour is very significant in that it represents the breaking point from one day to the next, a time of transition.
We as watchmen have been called to guard this hour, one of the most vulnerable hours of the night.
The enemy of your soul will attempt to intimidate and frustrate the plan of God concerning your life. 1 Samuel 17:16 “the Philistine drew near and presented himself forty days morning and evening.” In this evening declare that every word that the enemy has been using against you will now be turned against him! This battle belongs to the Lord!
Day 17 Remember that it was the midnight hour when Paul and Silas (who were prisoners) sang praises to God and were delivered from prison into a great revival. It’s not the end of a day only; it’s the beginning of a new one. May God put a new song in our hearts as the darkness of night settles in on the world around us. Acts 16:25-34
Day 18 A day of rest and reflection on your journey thus far through prayer.
Day 19 Daniel Chpt 8, 9 God visited Daniel in the evening time, sending angels to empower and direct him. This can also be a season where God would send special ministering spirits to you to minister strength and power for the day that awaits you and for other seasons of prayer that God will call you into.
Day 20 It was night when Nicodemus came to Jesus. He was a learned man, a well respected leader in the community and yet he was stirred. God is stirring the hearts of some people of influence within our country and within our personal area of influence. (John 3:1-8)
Day 21 It was the midnight hour when Samson took the gates of the city (judges 16:3) May God by His Spirit empower you with supernatural strength to possess the gates of your enemies. “Greater is HE that is in you….” God will grant new strategy and spiritual authority in this hour of transition
Day 22 Mark 14:32 it was evening after supper that Jesus came to Gethsemane and it was there in the midnight hour that He truly died. In this night watch God will help us and give us strength to die out to things that have kept us from being acceptable to God’s plan…. REMEMBER it was in this garden, the ‘Olive press,’ where the true oil of the Spirit began to flow!
Day 23 John 20:19 in the evening on the first day of the week after the Lord’s resurrection notice that while they were locked in their room for fear of the Jews that JESUS “appeared unto them.” That’s right, He needed no doors or windows, He is the door, He is the “WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE.” Expect God to meet with you in a special way and to reveal Himself in miraculous ways despite your present circumstances.
Day 24 Genesis 28:11 in this evening watch declare a new Heavenly breakthrough as the angels of God ascend and descend. The setting sun has opened a door to whole new dimension of supernatural experience.
Day 25 A day of rest and reflection on your journey thus far through prayer.
Day 26 According to Leviticus Chpt 11; uncleanness lasted only until the evening. The evening then was a time of refreshing and purification. May it also be a time of refreshing in your spirit; maybe you have touched the dead carcass of some past sin, or come in contact with the ‘disease’ of pride, fear, guilt, shame or unbelief… Declare a time of cleansing as the incense of the evening sacrifice goes forth before the Throne of God; you are now clean to enter into areas of service that because of such uncleanness you were otherwise kept from. Luke 4:40 various sicknesses and diseases that plague our generation as well as even those near and dear to us. In this evening watch declare a time of healing- physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Day 27 Genesis 15:17,18 As the sun sets it is a time of renewing the covenant just as God did with Abraham- so He will do with you in this place of evening prayer. Remember, the promises that belonged to him then, belong to you now…. Claim them!
Day 28 Exodus 11:4 God recognizes midnight as a time of transition and deliverance. God will go out at this hour and break open spiritual prison doors and set captives free. We declare this hour a time of deliverance personally, locally, nationally, and internationally.
Day 29 Psalm 119:62 the righteous judgments of God, fair and pure shall go forth from this watch and reveal His justice and truth in whole new light.
Day 30 Matthew 14:17, 18 It was on this evening that Jesus discerned the work of the enemy. It is also in our time this evening that God will help us to discern the work of the enemy in our life. God, open our eyes, gives us discerning to know the difference between the work of flesh, spirit and the adversary of our soul. In a time when “if it were possible” the adversary would deceive even God’s elect, we need a fresh sharpness of mind and spirit.
Day 31 Matthew 14:23 A time of aloneness with God. He has called us aside as His own to speak to us, to prepare us, to minister to us and empower us.
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