How prayer journaling became my watchtower

The watchmen’s toolkit

About 2 weeks before the start of 2021 the Lord spoke to my heart about the importance and duties of the watchmen and how needed they are in these days. In ancient days watchmen were of utmost importance for the whole city.

The cities were surrounded by thick walls, even horsemen and chariots could move around on them. The purpose was to keep the people safe from outside threats. There were towers around the walls where watchmen would lookout – to keep watch and send out a warning.

Although there are different kinds of watchers, they all need to pass the same qualifying test. We are living in times that watchmen are critical and need to be on their lookout at all times to hear from God.

The environment and competency of the watchman

We are living in a mining area and a certain group of young men was assigned as security guards in a remote mining area, in the field. They had to guard through the night in an area where wild animals wandered around freely. They had no weapons, only a radio to alert the station or people in command.

These youngsters had standard and quick training and were immediately placed in a dangerous environment at night. They were used to being around people all the time, so this task was different and challenging.

A watchman should be equipped.
A watchman should be able to adapt to the times.
They have to be able to resist.
Attentiveness is key.
Discern whether it is an actual threat or not.
Basic protection is needed for themselves.

When Jesus went to the garden Gethsemane to pray the night before He was prosecuted, He took Peter and two others to keep watch as He prayed.

Stay here and keep watch with me
Matthew 26:38

To His surprise He found them asleep.

Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?”

Urgent vacancies for watchmen!

Our cities
Neighborhoods
Revival
Schools
Nature
Job environment
Government
Leadership
Nation
Spiritual harvest
The church

What does it mean to keep watch?

Spiritual watching means to stay awake and to maintain in prayer for Spiritual watching is critical during challenging and threatening times.

Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Matthew 26:41

A glimpse into a watchmans kit.

Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning
Luke 12:35

1.A watchful eye

The essential component in keeping watch is alertness, to be alert of any sound, objects, tracks, vehicles, or people. The spiritual watchman must be diligently in prayer to discern the warnings and unprecedented opportunities God has in store for us.

2.Record times and incidents

Security guards usually have to fill in their start -and end times of their shifts and also fill in a report card of what happened during their shift. I keep my prayer journal as a means to report any threat or opportunities , any revelations or dreams .

3.Sharp vision

Watchmen who sees far into the spiritual nature and issues of affairs are alone competent to give warning. The warning note must be clear and not an “uncertain sound” that will mislead God’s people.

“I will stand at my guard post and station myself on the lookout tower. I will watch to see what He will say to me and what I should reply about my complaint.”
‭‭Habakkuk‬ ‭2:1‬ ‭

As believers, we are all called to watch and pray over our children, our cities, neighborhoods, our congregation… So that we cannot submit to temptation.