Watch and Pray
Watch and Pray
“Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray.” Matthew 26:40-41a
On this day, August 22, in the year of our Lord 1727, “The Prayer Watch” was launched in Herrnhut, Germany. The Prayer Watch was a twenty-four hour a day, seven day a week, fifty-two week prayer meeting that lasted one hundred years. The small community of only twenty-four young men and twenty-four young women rallied with their pastor, Nicholas Ludwig Von Zinzendorf, and agreed to spend an hour each day in prayer in their own rooms. They interceded for each other’s needs and the needs of those around them. They would sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs as they interceded. All intercessors met together once each week to share praises of how they encountered the manifest presence of God every day.
These German young people used the name ‘Herrnhut,’ which means ‘The Lord’s Watch.’ It took on a double meaning—they would watch for God’s manifest presence as they prayed, and the Lord would watch over them. On this very day, August 22, they wrote, “Today, we considered how needful it is that our church, which is yet in her infancy and has in satan such a mighty enemy, should guard herself against one who never slumbers day nor night, and have an unceasing holy watch kept against him. We resolve, therefore, to write a freewill offering of intercession which will burn night and day.”
Loving Father, set my heart ablaze with the fire of Your manifest presence. Lord, teach me not only to pray, but to watch and pray an hour each day. Fill me now with Your Spirit of prayer.
YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
Unless otherwise indicated, the English Standard Bible (ESV) is used.
This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.
“Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray.” Matthew 26:40-41a
On this day, August 22, in the year of our Lord 1727, “The Prayer Watch” was launched in Herrnhut, Germany. The Prayer Watch was a twenty-four hour a day, seven day a week, fifty-two week prayer meeting that lasted one hundred years. The small community of only twenty-four young men and twenty-four young women rallied with their pastor, Nicholas Ludwig Von Zinzendorf, and agreed to spend an hour each day in prayer in their own rooms. They interceded for each other’s needs and the needs of those around them. They would sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs as they interceded. All intercessors met together once each week to share praises of how they encountered the manifest presence of God every day.
These German young people used the name ‘Herrnhut,’ which means ‘The Lord’s Watch.’ It took on a double meaning—they would watch for God’s manifest presence as they prayed, and the Lord would watch over them. On this very day, August 22, they wrote, “Today, we considered how needful it is that our church, which is yet in her infancy and has in satan such a mighty enemy, should guard herself against one who never slumbers day nor night, and have an unceasing holy watch kept against him. We resolve, therefore, to write a freewill offering of intercession which will burn night and day.”
Loving Father, set my heart ablaze with the fire of Your manifest presence. Lord, teach me not only to pray, but to watch and pray an hour each day. Fill me now with Your Spirit of prayer.
YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
Unless otherwise indicated, the English Standard Bible (ESV) is used.
This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.
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