Prayer. So much occurs as a result of our prayers. Recently I have been reminded of the watchmen of old …
“O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen on your walls; they will pray day and night, continually. Take no rest, all you who pray to the Lord.”
(Isaiah 62:6, NLT)
The watchmen – always on the lookout as in a military context. Positioned strategically, high on the wall, so nothing could be missed as they scoured the land.
They knew to keep looking for God’s movement and activity. They did not jump down from the walls after a quick, cursory inspection.
Rather, they persisted and stay put, intently keeping their eyes glued to the horizon for the Lord’s response. They strained their eyes to see a first glimpse of response, constantly reporting anything which they spotted. No matter how long it meant, they remained positioned.
May we be as the watchmen of old and model ourselves in this sort of prayer:
“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” (Ephesians 6:18, NLT)
Prayer —> a way of life.
And turns the whole of life
into a prayer.
Today I am joining … Testimony Tuesday and Unite and Intentional Tuesday and True Story and #RaRaLinkup .
I love this image of the watchmen on the tower. What a great reminder that we don’t need to be in such a rush to action, but instead be patient and watchful for God’s movement.
Kathryn, may we stand our post, watching & waiting. Have a great Wednesday!
Love this post and reminder to pray in the Spirit, be alert, and be persistent. With a refocused energy on my prayer life this year, I appreciate the reminder! Lovely post, Joanne!
Thanks, Holly. I think too often, I pray and think my part is finished. No, I am to persist & wait until God acts.
Love this, Joanne. Will be sharing with our prayer group. xo
Thank you, Lyli. May we persist in prayer, big time, in 2016 xo
I pray we be like the tribe of Issachar — women who understand the times and know what we should do. Thank you, Joanne, for sharing your heart at #IntentionalTuesday. : )
Crystal, so funny you should mention the tribe of Issachar as that very verse also crossed my mind while I was writing this post. So glad you added your thoughts!
I’ve been reading in Nehemiah this week, which is all about watchmen on the wall too. Everybody had a post; may we all be faithful to take our stand and pray for our corner of the world. Thanks for this encouragement, Joanne.
Lisa, so glad you shared that we all have a post. May we be faithful to keep our own post & not eye the post of others. Glad you shared!
Incredible message, Joanne! I love this so much! Your words are such a blessing, Love! GOD bless you, beautiful friend! š
Thank you, Tai. You are such an encouraging person. May we all be faithful to the post we have been given!
This totally echoes my heart. I like thinking about the watchmen were positioned strategically to see God move. I want to be like – positioned to see God move in my life as well as in the lives of others. That’s intimacy.
Kristin, I loved your comment. And the thing is… God is so willing to position us strategically to see Him. May we be willing to let Him position us. So talking to myself right now š Grateful you shared!
For years I’ve been a watchman and a prophet. I don’t fit well into most of our world, b/c I see so much sinfulness considering the Word of God. Anyhow, when I read the Bible of watchman/watchmen, and know that women do it, too, way back then, all I can do is fully trust the Lord. Thank you!
Joanne, it may very well be a good thing that you don’t fit into the world. Perhaps that discomfort is what keeps us watching, focused on Him.
Wonderful analogy interpreted so very beautifully! Imprinted a good picture in my mind š Prayer surely should be a way of life…
That image had been in my mind for a few days before I wrote the post. Grateful it was a helpful visual to you too. Thank you for your encouragement!
I have been reading Nehemiah for the past several days as the Jews in the Land began to rebuild the walls. It was interesting that the watchmen, rotated, so that someone was always on duty. Perhaps that is telling us that there is a time for us to rest and let the other watchman watch for awhile. š
Thank you for sharing with us here at Tell me a Story.
Dear Hazel,
Such wisdom in your comment. In rotating, they were able to maintain better alertness too. So glad you shared!