The Eight Prayer Watches: Praying Through the Gates of Time!

Evening Watch 6 pm – 9 pm

Scripture: Psalm 91:1-2 - Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

 

Call For Action

 

Psalm 103:2-5 - Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love, who satisfies your desires with good things and compassion, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Be thankful for what the Lord has done for you in your life).

 

1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (Confessing and praying for mercy and forgiveness).

 

Psalm 4:8 - In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. (Seek peace and rest, including sleeping).

 

Job 33:14-18 - For God does speak—now one way, now another—though no one perceives it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they slumber in their beds, he may speak in their ears and terrify them with warnings, to turn them from wrongdoing and keep them from pride, to preserve them from the pit, their lives from perishing by the sword.

(Seek divine guidance and protection).

 

Midnight Watch 9 pm - 12 am

Scripture: Psalm 119:52 - I remember, Lord, your ancient laws, and I find comfort in them.

Call For Action

Acts 3:19 - Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. (Repentance).

Ephesians 6:12 - For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Spiritual Warfare).

James 5:16 – Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (Seek God’s guidance and intervention).

2 Chronicles 7:14 - If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (Spiritual Breakthrough)

Cock Crow Watch 12 am – 3 am

Scripture: Matthew 26:34 - “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” 

Call For Action

Romans 12:2 - Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will. (Spiritual Awakening and Renewal).

Psalm 23:4 - Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (God’s Presence in our Darkness).

James 5:14-15 - Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. (Intercession For Healing, Deliverance, and God’s Protection).

Psalm 119:18 - Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. (Divine Insight).

 

Morning Watch – 3 am – 6 am

Scripture: Psalm 130:6 - I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. 

Call For Action

Lamentations 3:22-23 - Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Proclaim God’s mercy, provisions, and guidance).

Isaiah 43:2 - When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. (Remember God’s Promises for Protection and Provisions).

1 Timothy 2-1-2 - I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. (Interceding for the Needs of the Community and the World).

Matthew 5:16 - In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Request Divine Appointment to Be a Light for Jesus).

 

Third Hour – 6 am – 9 am

Scripture: Acts 2:15 - These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning!

Call For Action

Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Pray for Strength, Wisdom, and Guidance).

Acts 1:8 - But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Seek the Holy Spirit’s Empowerment and Anointing).

Colossians 4:5-6 - Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. (Intercede for Opportunities to Share God’s Love).

Ephesians 6:18-20 - And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. (Lift Up the Needs of the Church and Ministries).

 

Sixth Hour – 9 am – 12 pm

Scripture: Acts 10:9 - About noon the following day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray.

Call For Action

Psalm 90:17 - May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands. (Pray for Productivity, Success, and Protection).

Jeremiah 29:7 - Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper. (Intercede for the Needs of the Community and World).

James 1:5 - If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. (Ask for Wisdom and Favor in Decision-Making).

Matthew 6:33 - But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Surrender Your Plans to God’s Will and Seek His Kingdom).

 

Midday Watch – 12 pm – 3 pm

Scripture: Isaiah 58:10 - and if you spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.

Call For Action

Isaiah 58:10 - and if you spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. (Intercede for Justice, Provision, Healing, and Breakthroughs).

Psalm 37:5-6 - Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. (Seek God’s Guidance and Blessings for the Remainder of the Day).

Proverbs 11:25 - A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. (Pray for Opportunities to be a Blessing to Others).

Philippians 4:19 - And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. (Declare God’s Promises and Provisions Over Your Life and Community).

 

Afternoon Watch – 3 pm – 6 pm

Scripture: Psalm 119:164 - Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws.

Call For Action

Psalm 121:8 - the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. (Thank God for His Continued Presence and Guidance Throughout the Day).

Philippians 4:13 - I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Pray for Strength and Perseverance to Finish the Day Well).

Psalm 121:7 - The Lord will keep you from all harm— He will watch over your life; (Intercede for Protection and Safety During Afternoon Activities).

Colossians 3:17 - And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Ask for Divine Appointments and Opportunities to Glorify God in the Afternoon).

 

 

Source: Dr Tomi Ademokun

Life's Little Moments!

I stated many times previously that I enjoy going with my wife to her church. I’m not good at maintaining the clapping rhythm. I try to stay in sync to clap when she claps, but I more than once lose my place and lose step. Similar to the way I dance, I move too fast outside of the beat. Yet, I feel a sense of uniqueness each time I attend. It’s a sense of the Holy Spirit peace. I’ve said before that the Spirit of the Lord lifts the congregation to a level of praise and worship that I don’t see in the Catholic Church. Catholics are reserved; they don’t do much shouting and praising. This isn’t the main topic of my discourse. As always, it’s about my thoughts on certain things I see. 

 

A young mother, accompanied by her four children, was seated in front of us. All of her children were male; I estimated that the eldest was approximately eight or nine years old, while the youngest, who appeared to have recently learned to run independently, could not be older than two. This inference was based on his incessant running up and down the side aisle, at a speed matching his toddler legs' capabilities. When he grew fatigued, he would recline in the seat alongside his older brother. The remaining children stayed close to their mother and remained silent. 

 

I became intrigued because I noticed that the older brother would get his baby brother when he got into trouble. The baby obeyed him without any resistance, such as crying or pulling away. I thought to myself, the older brother is taking the father’s place. Where is the father? When I should be thinking about participating in worship, I’m thinking about someone’s business. This was the enemy distracting me from worshiping. It doesn’t matter where the father was; the family was in the House of the Lord. I thought of negative scenarios, but the positives outnumbered them. Forget about the absentee father. Think about a working father, a father who must work his shift and provide for his family. What about the father who is ill or deceased? We don’t know anything about them, so why did I waste time on them?

 

I behaved in a manner consistent with that of most societies, exhibiting traits such as nosiness, scheming, discrimination, speculation, judgmental attitudes, and reliance on stereotypes. Society seemingly requires no factual evidence, proof, or substantiation to draw conclusions; rather, it tends to fabricate and project its assumptions based on appearances. This behavior is reminiscent of our current government. Judgment comes from a need for control, but curiosity and compassion come from trust. When you trust that people are on personal journeys—and that you are too—you don’t need to police or compare. God is the Final Judge. We need to seek His Kingdom and be kinder and caring towards each.

Evolving While Searching!

I texted my youngest niece the other day, and I was happy to see her in such good spirits, even though she had recently parted ways with her best friend. I didn’t press her for details because she was very clear and supportive of her decision. I didn’t need to know everything. She said, “Please don’t feel sorry, don’t feel sad, I was the one who made that decision solely because I am entering into a season where I am looking for depth, alignment, and connection, something that we haven’t had. I promise I am okay. I am just evolving and growing.” This made me so proud of her. I’m always proud of my brother’s children. What parent wouldn’t be proud to hear their children make life-changing decisions?

 

Here’s a thoughtful reflection built around her statement, giving it depth, flow, and emotional resonance. Sometimes, life demands a choice that feels both deeply personal and quietly transformative. This statement reflects a moment of clarity—the kind where you recognize that the life you have been living no longer matches the person you are becoming. To strategize based on the pursuit of depth means she is no longer content with surface-level interactions, quick fixes, or empty routines. It means she is craving conversations, relationships, and experiences that will nourish her internally.

 

Seeking alignment is about more than goals or achievements—it’s about making sure one’s outer life matches one's inner truth. It’s the courageous act of making decisions that may not be understood by everyone, but that honor your values and vision. Alignment is not just about saying “yes” to what feels right; it’s about having the strength to say “no” to what doesn’t—no matter how familiar or comfortable it may be.

 

Connection—genuine connection—is often the rarest and most precious part of life. It’s about being seen and known in a way that is authentic, vulnerable, and mutual. If that hasn’t been present, then choosing to step away from what is shallow or misaligned isn’t selfish—it’s a declaration of self-respect.

 

The promise “I am okay” carries its weight. It’s the reassurance that growth does not always come from a place of pain, but from a place of readiness. Evolving means shedding old skins, releasing outdated versions of yourself, and walking toward something more honest. Growth isn’t always loud or dramatic; sometimes, it’s a quiet, steady shift toward what you know you need, even if no one else fully understands.

 

This is not just a season of change—it is a season of her becoming. A season of change for us all, and she is choosing depth over convenience, alignment over compromise, and connection over pretense, without sacrificing anything truly meant for her. She is simply making space for the life, the people, and the experiences that will match who she is becoming. I will keep praying for her, hoping she finds peace, perseverance, patience, and the discipline to overcome any challenges ahead. This journey will require faith and reliance on the Holy Trinity. Remember, she can't do this alone. There will be spiritual battles, but with God’s tried-and-true methods from the very beginning, she will find the strength to succeed. She's not alone in this — these timeless strategies can offer her the support and encouragement she needs.