I will climb up to my watchtower and stand at my guardpost. There I will wait to see what the LORD says and how he will answer my complaint.

 

Ezekiel 33:3 NLT

When the watchman sees the enemy coming, he sounds the alarm to warn the people.

 

The watchman on his watchtower was an image often used by the prophets to show an attitude of expectation.

 

The watchman's job was vital. An approaching army left residents of an ancient city precious little time to flee or to prepare for battle. Everyone's life depended on the alert watchman as he peered into the horizon for the

earliest glimpse of an approaching threat.

 

It was critical that the people be alerted as soon as possible to what was coming.

 

As a believer, God places you as a watchman for yourself your friends, your family, and your church family.

 

It is essential that you be attentive to what God is

saying. It may be that a friend is in crisis and needs God's Word.

 

As you study your Bible, God may choose to give you words of encouragement to share with your friend. It may be that as your children face difficult

challenges, God will speak to you as you pray and reveal

how you can help them.

 

 If you are spiritually alert, you

may receive a warning from God that addresses specific

dangers that those around you are facing.

 

If you are careless, on the other hand, your family may be struggling, but the answers God has for them will go unheard. If you are oblivious to God's message, those around you may miss the encouraging promise from God that He wanted to share through you.

 

Habakkuk wanted to be in the best position to receive God’s message. We should also pay extra attention as we wait for God’s answers when we pray. Listen for what he has to say and watch for what he will do in response to your prayers.

 

 God holds His watchmen accountable for their diligence.

 

Ezekiel 33:6 NLT

But if the watchman sees the enemy coming and doesn't sound the alarm to warn the people, he is responsible for their captivity. They will die in their sins, but I will hold the watchman responsible for their deaths.'

 

Strive to be attentive to every word that comes to you

from God. Your diligence will benefit you and those around you as you heed God's warnings and follow His commands.

 

 *Prayer Points* 

 

 _1. Pray without ceasing_ 

 

Mark 14:38 NLT

Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak."

 

1Thessalonians 5:17 NKJV

pray without ceasing,

 

At times, your spirit must demand supremacy over your flesh.

 

Your spirit will know what your Lord wants you to do, but your flesh will cry out for its own fulfillment. 

 

There are times when sleep must be denied even when you are exhausted, because it would be disastrous for you to rest at such a time. 

 

When the Lord commands you to "watch and pray," it is crucial that you obey.

 

As Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, He knew that the pinnacle of His ministry was quickly approaching. He was aware that the legions of hell were marshalling their forces to defeat Him. 

 

If there were ever a critical time for His closest friends to support Him in prayer, this was it. 

 

Jesus told them that He was deeply distressed, even to the point of death.

 

Mark 14:34 NLT

He told them, "My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."

 

 Surely, they could have sensed the intensity in His voice and the urgency of His demeanour, and surely they could have found the strength to obey His request. 

 

Yet He found

them asleep. No excuses. They had fallen asleep at the most pivotal moment in human history, not once but three times!

 

 

 

 

 _Lord, I repent of where I have let my guard down and not been attentive in prayer._ 

 

2. Stay Spiritually alert 

 

Jesus told the disciples to keep constant watch for his return. Although 2,000 years have passed since he spoke these words, their truth remains: Jesus is coming again, and we need to watch and be spiritually fit. This means working faithfully at the tasks God has given us. Don’t let your mind and spirit be dulled by careless living or the foolish pursuit of pleasure. Don’t let the cares of this life weigh you down. Be ready to move at God’s command.

 

Luke 21:36 NLT

 *Keep alert at all times.* And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man."

 

1 Thessalonians 5:2‭-‬6 ESV

For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but *let us keep awake and be sober.* 

 

Ephesians 6:18 NLT

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. *Stay alert* and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

 

John 10:27 ESV

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

 

Revelation 2:29 AMP

He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches.’

 

Let us pray....

 

 _Heavenly Father, would you help me to stay spiritually alert in prayer and to be attentive to every word that comes from you._