The 8 Watches of Prayer

What Time Is Your Watch?  By Pastor Yaquis Shelley

WHOEVER POSSESSES THE GATES
POSSESSES AND CONTROLS
EVERYTHING
I. THE EARLY NIGHT WATCH or FIRST WATCH OF THE NIGHT
(6.00 PM – 9.00 PM)
Lam. 2:18-19; Exo. 27:21; Psalm 119:148
TIME FOR DIVINE BEGINNINGS – Gen. 1:5, 8, 13
THE MANIFESTATION OF THE FATHERHOOD OF GOD
God said in Matt. 16:16-19 that the thing you must possess is the GATES, and one of the keys we need to possess the gates is the key of the
knowledge of TIME. Our day has a gate, our week has a gate, our month has a gate and our year has a gate. We must possess these gates,
because whoever possesses the gates possesses and controls everything. The very first watch is the gate for the beginning of the new day.
[6 PM – 9 PM]
During the first watch, pray along these lines:
Time to Pray and Silence all the Voices (Curses) of the Enemies on our life, family, church, city and nation.
Witches start flying during this watch, going around the precincts of the city (Psalm 59), because they intend to take hold of the gates of the day.
We must possess the gate of our new day. Otherwise it will be the enemies possessing them, releasing curses on our day/s. It is the time to
release judgment on the wicked, because this is the time we have the evening tide in line with Isa. 17:12-14 and Psalm 59. We need to release and
proclaim into the new day God’s blessings, changing the environment or spiritual equation in our life, family, church, city and nation.
Period for Covenant Renewal with God.
It was the watch during which Jesus broke bread with His covenant between God and Israel. It is the time to appropriate the provisions in the Blood
Covenant. Every covenant you have with God can be renewed at this time.
Time for the Nature of the Lamb of God. (Rev. 5)
This talks of ability to do what others can’t:
Behold the Lamb, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah who is able to break every yoke and the seals and open the Title Deed of the Universe (power,
wealth, strength, wisdom, honor, glory and blessings). Humility is the greatest secret of His strength: that is the reason why during this watch, He
tied the towel around His waist and washed His disciples’ feet. Leadership is service.
Time for Preservation of the Fruits of your Life.
Especially the fruits of the body. Every executive/leader can begin to pray for every project he starts to live out its divinely ordained lifespan.
SILENCE THE ENEMY!
II. THE LATE NIGHT WATCH OR SECOND WATCH OF THE NIGHT
(9.00 PM – 12 Midnight)
Rev. 9:16; Acts 23:23; Exo. 3:21; 11:3, 4; 12:35, 36; Psalm 119:148
TIME TO HALLOW AND EXALT THE NAME OF THE LORD
TIME OF PRAYER FOR MINISTRIES, RELIGION
Special Time for Divine Favor. (Exo.3:21-22, 11:3-4, 12:35-36,Psalm 5:12; 45:12; Esther 2:9, 15, 17)
This is the time to receive your provision or supply (strength, abilities, freedom from all limitations, etc.). This is also the time for plundering your
oppressors. This is also the time for favor from men; time for respect from men. If you read Exo. 3:21- 22; 11:3-4; 12:35-36; you will see that God
made the Egyptians favorably disposed towards the Israelites so that the Egyptians gave them whatever they asked for. This must definitely have
been before midnight since by then the angel of death passed through Egypt and no one could go on to the neighbors. It also had to be after
supper, since it was after the Passover feast. Automatically it had to be during this watch of the night between 9.00pm and 12.00 midnight. In Acts
23:23 we see Paul enjoying favor from the captain of the soldiers during this same period.
Pray for the Outpouring of the Spirit of Prayer upon you and the Church in the Philippines. (Zech. 9:12)
PRAYER ALSO FOR THE SPIRIT OF GRACE & SUPPLICATION. It is the time to pray for the release or outpouring of the Spirit of Grace, of
Prayer and Supplication. ( Matt. 26:33). Recall that on the day Jesus was betrayed, He started praying for God’s grace at 9.00 pm. At 10.00 pm,
He came back to His disciples and said, “Could you not watch with me one hour?” At 11.00 pm, He came a second time and said “Are you still
sleeping?” He left them and went back. Then the third time that was 12 midnight, He said, “Rise, and let us go for my betrayer is at hand.” This
period is the time to pray for strength against all temptation and trials.
Pray for Divine Protection. (Psalm 3:1-7; 17:8-14, Acts 23:23; Zech. 1:10)
This is also the period to pray and ask for the release of the troops of God to be on patrol and give angelic escort (Zech. 1:10, Acts 9:23). Acts
23:23, the same army General that had arrested Paul, now ended up protecting Paul! As you pray today, God would cause the people who have
arrested us before to protect His purpose for our lives. What the governor could not enjoy was given to Paul as he was given 470 soldiers as
escort. So every provision we need to do God’s work would be released at this time. That is why even in Hollywood this is the time they show all
the bad films to make provision for your being affected in the next watch.
Prayer for Provision to do Godʼs Work. (Exo. 11:3-4)
Time for the Supply of all Resources needed for every God-given project – see Exo. 35 and 36 cf. 12:35, 36. Pray for the Provision. It was the time
that the Israelites got everything that they had to use to build the Tabernacle in the wilderness. This is also the time to ask for the sense of urgency
to accomplish whatever God wants us to do. The Israelites ate the Passover standing with their tunics tucked with belts around their waists ready to
move!
ASK FOR DIVINE & HUMAN FAVOR!
III. THE MIDNIGHT WATCH OR THIRD WATCH OF THE NIGHT
(12.00 MN – 3.00 AM)
Psalm 119:62; Isa. 42:22; Psa. 68; Acts 16:25; 27:25-44; Exo. 12:29; Exo 12 -14
A SPECIAL TIME FOR DIVINE GOVERNMENTS OVERRULING HUMAN DECREES
TIME FOR SPIRITUAL WARFARE.
This is when the deep sleep falls upon men according to Acts 20:7-12. Remember, according to Matt. 13:25, while men slept the enemy went to
sow tares. This is therefore a period of heightened satanic activities. The devil operates at this time because this is the time that men are sleep
and there are not so many people praying to oppose him. (Matt. 13:24; 1 King 3:20) [This watch is the weak link for Islam – only a few Sufis praying
at this time!!! The story is different during the month of Ramadan when every Muslim is encouraged to pray the “Tahajjud.”]
It is also the time for slaying; when the destroying angel goes through the camp, neighborhood, community, city, or nation (Exo. 12:29 cf. 2 Kings
19:35). Time to declare Psalm 91:5, 6 for Divine Protection for yourself, family, church, city and nation. This period is also the time that rapists
increase their activity, according to Judges 19, the Levite’s concubine was raped about this period and was only left to go before dawn, so pray and
silence them (Judges 19:25).
Time of Release from every Prison (Isa. 42:22; Jud. 16:3; Acts 16:25; Psa. 18:27-28; 2 Kings 19:35)
This is also the time people are generally released. According to the scriptures, God released the people of Israel to leave Egypt at this time. It was
also midnight that Samson according to Judges 16:3-4 carried the gates of the city and went out. This is also the time the wicked are wiped out.
Pray also for greater level of concentration (Mark 1:35; Isa. 17:14). This is also the time for angelic intervention. This is also the time you could
employ the land to fight for you. This is the time to rule in the midst of your enemies.
Freedom for His Bride. (Exo. 12:29; Judges 19:25)
This is the time to pray for the freedom of the bride, especially those who are trusting God for their marriage partners. Therefore, those of you who
are not married, this is a good time to pray for marriages, so you can also get married. For those who are married too, this probably the best time to
pray for your marriage. According to Matt. 25:6, it was at midnight that the Bridegroom came. In the case of Ruth, though she had been sleeping at
Boaz’s feet, it was at midnight that he noticed that a woman was sleeping there. You can pray that God will cause the Body of Christ to be noticed
at this time. This is also time for marriages. Pray for God to show you things to make your marriage a happy one (Ruth 3:1-10). Pray also for the
discovery of new and beautiful things in your spouse. This period is also the time to keep the lamps burning. This watch is also the time to enter
your rest (Psa. 67).
Best time to make your case in prayer. (Mark 13:35; Luke 11:5-13; Acts 16:25-34; Acts 20:7-12)
This is the time to pray to God and make your case in prayer. This is also the period to pray for every emergency provision God makes to be
released (Luke 11:5-13; Acts 16:3). It is also time for most dreams (Job 4:13-14); time for miracles or covenants; time for apply the Blood of Jesus.
This is the time to awake out of sleep and confront every storm of destruction and distraction. Also it is the time to speak peace and calm into every
situation of turbulence and confusion.
WAGE SPIRITUAL WARFARE!
IV. THE DAWN OR EARLY MORNING WATCH
(3.00 AM-6.00 AM)
(Isa 58:8, 8:19-22, 62:1-12; Rev. 22:76; Psalm 18:28; Job 3:9)
YOUR WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN…
(Mark 1:35; Gen. 19:15, 32:25-27; Job 38:12-13 cf. Isa. 17:14; 1 Sam. 11:11)
The significance of this watch can be seen in Mark 1:35, where we see Jesus rising a great while before day and finding a solitary place to pray.
This is a special time for divine judgements.
This is the last watch of the night.
This fourth watch is always important because this is the last lap of the night race: this was when Israel was released from Egypt. This watch is the
time that those satanic agents who went out to perform their activities are returning back to their bases. This is the time the devil and his cohorts
are running back ‘home’ so that they are not caught. This is the time to release judgment on the wicked, who remain stiff-necked after many
warnings and rebukes in line with Prov. 29:1. This is the time every enemy chariot would have their wheels removed (Exo. 14:24-28) and all their
plans, programs and policies would fail. This is the period to release the manifestation of the full intensity of the dayspring shaking out the wicked
(Job 38:12, 13 cf. Isa. 17:14 – Proclaiming before morning).
Though some scholars believe the dayspring falls between 12 midnight stretching up to 6.00 am, the full impact of its intensity is felt in the final
watch of this period (3.00 – 6.00 am) when it begins to shake everything out. This explains why the agents of the kingdom of darkness: those linked
with Satan, heighten their activities, especially between the hours of 12 midnight and 3.00am, knowing that by the next watch (3.00 am – 6.00 am)
they’ll have to cease their activities lest they caught by the full intensity of the dayspring. Testimonies of former witches converted to Christianity
attest to this. They tell of experiences, where when they went out of their bodies on witchcraft operation, they had to return into their bodies before
6.00 am, otherwise they wouldn’t have been able to. This is because they will have been shaken out by the dayspring in line with Job 38:13 quoted
above. It must be because no spirit is supposed to remain in this state by daybreak, we see this demonstrated by Jacob’s encounter with the Angel
of the Lord in Gen. 32:24-30.
It is also the time for Deliverance, to Rise and Shine, for Resurrection.
This is time for deliverance according to Exo. 12 and 14. This is also the time Jesus came walking on the water to release the disciples from the
storms according to Matt. 14:25. This is the time to ask the new day to speak into your life according to God’s will (Psalm 19:2). This is also the
time of declaration of the word.
This is also the time for resurrection power.
This is the time we have to pray that everything that has died in the Body of Christ, in terms of potentials, should be released. This is the time to
rise and begin to shine (Isa. 60:1-5). It is also the time for resurrection of every dormant gift. Every redemptive gift is to rise and shine, that is why,
immediately after this watch the sun rises, and shines (Psa. 18:28). The Lord would light the candle of the Body of Christ, He would enlighten our
darkness and our morning star would no more be dark. This is the time the stone in front of the tomb of Jesus was rolled away. Every reproach
must be rolled away. God says He has a covenant with the day and also with the night.
TIME FOR DELIVERANCE!
V. THE LATE MORNING OR FIRST WATCH OF THE DAY
(6.00 AM – 9.00 AM)
Acts 2:15; Prov. 4:16
THE OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY GHOST … Acts 2:4, 17, 18
The Holy Spirit came before the Third Hour. This is the first watch of the day. This is the watch for the beginning of sunrise.
[6 AM – 9 AM]
Time of Declaration and Utterances. (Acts 2:15; Psalm 2:7-9)
The spiritual significance of sunrise is having Jesus Christ the King of Kings and the Lord of lords rise over us. Instruct the sun that, as it rises over
people, it should accurately represent Jesus Christ the Sun of righteousness and bring healings for the soul: the heart, emotions, minds, bodies,
families, relationships, marriages in our land and also for the land. Pray that the sun of righteousness would rise with healing in his wings. There
shall be healing in your prayer life, health, relationships, family, government, economy, etc.
This is also the time for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit for Equipping for Service and for your Light to Shine this day.
(2 Cor. 9:3; Acts 1:8; Isa. 60:1-22; Matt. 5:16)
It was between 6:00 am and 9:00 am that the Holy Spirit came. So you notice that it was after that people said “they were drunk” and Peter said
“we are not drunk because it is just 9.00 in the morning.” What is the implication? That it is the time for equipment for service. That is why,
generally speaking for those who have regular work schedules, people start work between the hours of 6.00 and 9.00 AM. God gives the necessary
equipment. As you step out, ask God for equipment for the day, “Give us this day….”
TIME FOR HEALING!
VI. THE EXIT AND ENTRY WATCH OR SECOND WATCH OF THE DAY
(9.00 AM-12.00 Noon)
1 Kings 18, 8:56; Jos. 23:14; Matt. 20:3; Acts 2:15
FOR A CRUCIFIED LIFE… Gal. 2:20; Col. 3:5
TIME FOR FORGIVENESS AND HEALING OF RELATIONSHIPS
This is the second hour of the day. This watch begins at the third hour (i.e. 9.00 am)…and it appears from Matt. 20:2-3, so that if you’ve not started
working by this time you’ll be considered idle. Just being busy with something doesn’t give any assurance of any accomplishment. There’s the
need to identify God’s purpose for each moment of your life and pursue it. Otherwise, you could find yourself wasting effort and energy like the
prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18:26-29, who after six hours of calling on their god were worse off than when they started: bleeding and exhausted. By
9.00 am, you should start fulfilling the purpose for which you came to earth.
[9 AM – 12 Noon]
Time for Harvest. (Acts 2:41)
Promises, this is the time to expect the manifestation of God’s promises for your life as in the case of David in 2 Sam. 7:25-29. Also appropriate the
promises for cleansing , a new heart, willingness to work, increase and fruitfulness, as contained in Eze. 36:25-38.
Time to pray and appropriate the Benefits of the Cross (healing, prosperity, forgiveness, strength, etc.).
Jesus was crucified at the third hour (Mark 15:25, Matt. 27:45). After having been on the cross for three hours, darkness came upon the face of the
earth at 12 noon, and then at 3.00pm, the period of darkness ended. Did you notice that even God worked accordding to the watches of the day
especially pertaining to the crucifixion events?
Pray for a Crucified Life.
Because of the crucifixion, let us ask God to help us manifest all of the values of crucified life, by mortifying the deeds of our flesh as stated in Rom.
8:12-15. This is the time to put off the old man, and put on the Lord Jesus Christ (Col. 3:2-11). This is the time to nail witchcraft, bitterness,
jealousy, anger, backbiting, gossip, slander, lying, deception, hypocrisy and in fact all the properties and personality traits of the devil and all the
works of the flesh to the Cross in line with Gal. 2:20, 5:19-21.
Pray for Forgiveness, Healing of Relationships, Pray for the Release of Others.
“Forgive Us for our Trespasses…as We Forgive…” This is the best time to pray this portion of the model prayer the Lord Jesus Christ taught His
disciples. In other words it is time to pray for Healing of Relationship. Let this power of love and unity (in one accord) produce the same effect of
people asking, “How come that we all hear them speaking in our own language?” Pray for the healing of diseases, which are spiritual. This is also
the time for harvest that is for prayers prayed at dawn.
TAKE OFF THE OLD MAN!
VII. THE WATCH OF SHAKING OF FOUNDATIONS & JUDGMENT
(12:00 Noon – 3:00 PM)
John 4:6; Matt. 27:45; Acts 26:13; Jer. 15:8, Job 11:13-20; Psalm 37:20; Dan. 6:13
TIME TO CHANGE THE MEDIA LANDSCAPE…
TIME FOR DIVINE GUIDANCE AND DELIVERANCE FROM EVIL
This is the watch that introduces the Midday, otherwise known as the Noon, or the Sixth Hour or the Fullness of Day (Psa. 55:17, Prov. 4:18, Isa.
58:10, Job 11:15, Psa. 37:3, Jer. 20:16). Both the midday and the midnight are very important.
[12 NN – 3 PM]
Time of the Secret Place of the Most High. (Psalm 91:1)
This is very important to pray in line with Acts 10:9 and Psalm 91:5, 6, 14. It is the time to pray to dwell in the secret place of the Most High, abiding
under the shadow of the Almighty, and making the Most High your habitation.
It is also the time of exercising your God given dominion, operating in love and receiving a divine lift, and letting your light shine brighter until the full
light of day is attained (Prov. 4:18).
The midday is the fullness of the day and it is the beginning of the Sixth hour. This is the time that the sun is at its fullest, and should yield its
optimum best. Pray that the sun will yield its best and precious fruit to you, in line with Deut. 33:4. Pray that your life would be bright. This is the
time to pray not to be led into any temptation, trap or snare of the enemy.
Pray against Destruction that stalks at noon time. (Psalm 91:5)
Destruction is released at midday according to Psalm 92:6-7. Pray and cut off all satanic arrows that are released at this time. This is the time
Justice shall come to you (Isa. 7:14). This is the time of the secret place of the Most High. In Psalm 91, it says that I will not be afraid of destruction
that stalks at noonday nor the arrows that fly by night. The destruction at this time will not get you, family, Body of Christ, etc. because we declare
that the mystery of the secret place of the Most High would begin to speak.
PRAY AGAINST DESTRUCTION!
VIII. THE TRANSFORMATION WATCH OR FOURTH WATCH
(3:00 PM – 6:00 PM)
The Hour of Prayer: 3:00 PM!
Matt. 27:45, 46; Luke 23:44-46; Acts 3:1; 10:3, 30-32
This watch ushers in and begins at the hour of prayer according to Acts 3:1, Acts 10:30, Isa. 60:11-22. The one single most important characteristic
or practice that identifies the church is Prayer. The most important privilege of the entire church is prayer and the only hour in the Bible that is
specifically referred to as the Hour of Prayer begins at 3:00 PM. This was the time that the veil in front of the Holy of Holies tore from top to bottom.
This watch is therefore the time for access!
The Hour of Prayer, Covenant, Power and Triumphant Glory. Time to Remove Limiting Factors.
This time is an hour of Revelation, hour of Grace, hour of Removing Veils (Luke 23:45-46), hour of Power, hour of Glory, hour of the voice of the
Lord, hour of Triumph. This is the time to die to the world (self). This time is also the time of seeking the Lord in Truth. This is the hour of the
establishment of the Kingdom, why? Righteousness and Justice are the foundation of His Throne.
This is the time when Jesus said “It is finished.” At 3:00 pm Jesus gave up the ghost. Jesus went through 6 hours of suffering for the deliverance of
humankind and the universe. Pray for deliverance during this watch. It is also the time for the miraculous and angelic visitation (Zech. 1:10-11,
18-21).
This time also the time of the evening sacrifice. It was at this time that Elijah called forth fire from Heaven to consume the prophets of Baal on Mt.
Carmel ( 1 Kings 18:29, 30, 36-39). Isa. 17:12-14, Matt. 27:45-61, Luke 27:45-47, Mark 15:33-39, Dan. 3:8-30, Gen. 24:63, Rev. 6 and 1 Sam. 17.
Scriptures to Pray: Eph. 1:15-23, 3:14-22, John 17, Jos. 7:6, 8:29-34. Isa. 17:12-14, Dan. 2:20-22. Also study Matt. 27:50-54,
Mark 15:37-39, Luke 23:45-47, Dan. 3:25, 9:21, Gen. 24:63, Acts 3:1, 10:1-32, 1 Kings 18:41-46, Zech. 6:1, Rev. 6:1.
Time to Change / Shape History.
This was the time God changed history because this watch happens to be the time that Jesus gave up the ghost with a loud voice. When Jesus
gave up the ghost, history was changed forever because He now cut a covenant for us with God and there was a triumphant Glory over hell, death
and the grave and the Bible says at that hour darkness departed. The covering of darkness cast over the nations of Philippines shall be broken!
Pray Psalm 29. He said “Eloi, Eloi, Lama Sabachthani” meaning “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” This is because the Father
turned His back on sin. We must pray the Church in Philippines will turn her back on sin; so that leadership in family, government, church,
economy, etc. will turn their back on sin.
Possess this gate of the day, just like in the other watches not only for yourself, but also for your family, your village, your neighborhood, community the city, the nation, the church and God’s Kingdom.
TIME TO CHANGE HISTORY!