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Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving (Colossians 4:2, ESV).
Powerful prayers demand watchfulness.
Prayers can be reactive: something bad happens, and then we pray and get on Facebook® to ask for prayers. Prayers can also be “ask to receive” for our needs in life and ministry. We pray for others, we bind the evil one, and offer prayers of gratitude in victory.
But there is a “discipline of watchfulness” in praying that we must learn.
The Greek word for watchfulness is “gregoreo,” a word also translated in the New Testament as “alert,” “vigilant,” and “awake.” The word is used 29 times in the New Testament. Jesus said to the apostles in the Garden of Gethsemane, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” And Paul said to the Colossians, “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.”
The Apostle Peter, writing at the end of his life, as a wise apostle, taught and warned the next generations of Christians, including us. With this in mind, I’ve memorized the following verse, personally knowing its importance in the end times…
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8, NLT),
We should be watching as individual believers for attacks against us, as grandparents and parents for our grandchildren, and children, and especially as church leaders…
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you (Hebrews 13:17, ESV).
Disciplines must be learned and practiced. To train “watchfulness,” do the following:
First: When we pray for ourselves, our families, and others, let’s ask for discernment about the attacks and spiritual warfare in their lives (they exist) and pray accordingly. Remember, Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given…”
Second: Always begin the discipline of watchfulness with thanksgiving, as it helps us to keep a positive focus. The spiritual realm of darkness can assimilate into our souls during warfare. All prayer warriors should remember Psalm 139:11-12…
If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night.” [I remember that] even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.
Third: Learn to command and rebuke. We have the authority of Jesus, but wielding this power can open the doors for battles of which we aren’t prepared, while causing temptations and trials that stretch our faith to its limit. As Paul writes…
Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men [and women], be strong (1 Corinthians 16:13).
Do we have the “discipline of watchfulness”? If we don’t develop this sensitivity along with the ability to pray effectively, who else will?
But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any one of them, that person is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand (Ezekiel 33:6).