Jesus said, “Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.” St. Mark 13:33 (KJV)
I grew up at the knee of a praying mother. She prayed so regularly that her neighbors could set their clocks by her praying. She prayed so long that they were inspired. The point is that she prayed. Many 20th century Christians were “watchers in prayer.”
They believed the Word of God is true and will be fulfilled in its entirety. So, they held Sunday afternoon prayer vigils. My pastor-dad would invite the men of our church to join him on the brow of Lookout Mountain above the city of Gadsden, and they would petition heaven on behalf of our town.
I remember more than one testimony from some old crusty sinner who had received Christ after hearing a dear old saint of God praying out in the backwoods of their property. Then there were the worship services where the Holy Spirit descended upon God’s people after a scheduled prayer meeting for God’s blessings.
Certainly, God’s people are still ringing the prayer bells of heaven. Perhaps we need to be encouraged. Perhaps we need to renew our commitment. Remember, Jesus explained that we would “not know when the time is” that climactic events would occur. But, He knew that “watching in prayer” would keep us all ready and cognizant of the times.
God has promised to hear and answer (2 Chronicles 7:14-16; St. John 14:13-14). Prayer is the communication tool for both talking to God and preparing to meet God. We are God’s agents in our families, in our workplace, and in our community, shouldn’t we be faithful “watchers-in-prayer”?
Dear Father, thank you for this wonderful gift of communication. I know that you always hear us when we pray. O, Lord, deliver us from hindrances to our praying. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be courageous as a watcher-in-prayer,