In Mark 14, Jesus invites His disciples - Peter, James and John - to follow Him to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. In verse 34, Jesus says to His disciples "tarry here and watch" as He goes to be with the Father in prayer. Jesus returns to His disciples to find them sleeping. What is His response to them? "Watch and pray." (Mark 14:38)

 

In these verses, the word "watch" means to keep awake, to give strict attention to, or to be active. We as a people have the opportunity to obey Jesus today by partnering with the Holy Spirit in prayer. "What I say to you, I say to everyone: Watch!" (Mark 13:37)

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Perhaps the Holy Spirit has been stirring your heart to pray for a specific nation, situation, people group or neighborhood. This is a practical way that you can respond. Prayer watches have a specific prayer target with a start and finish date. We expect to hear Him. We expect to see Him at work. But at the heart of each prayer watch is the desire to know Jesus and make Him known.