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Introduction
intervened and said, “Let there be light!” At the end of time, Christ shall intervene when He comes to set the world right. In between these two events, there hangs a great suspension bridge over which the watchmen of God walk with Him in prayer. This bridge connects Heaven and earth. Believers who are awake to watch and pray pass between the two realms, harmonizing with God in His desires for earth. In the context of fulfilling his call as a watchman, Jeremiah speaks of the justice of God’s judgment: Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem; see now and know; and seek in her open places if you can find a man, if there is anyone who executes judgment, who seeks the truth, and I will pardon her [Jerusalem] (Jeremiah 5:1). Eyes wide open to the crises of his generation, the prophet also had spirit-eyes through which he discerned God’s readiness to intervene if He could find someone who was awake and in harmony with His will. As with the story of our daughter Anna, prayer begins to create the solution before the problem exists. Prayer arrives on the scene, already intervening as the problem unfolds. Prayer remains behind after the crisis is over to pick up the pieces and to recreate what has been destroyed. Prayer revitalizes the wasted land and brings forth a seed-bearing garden. By watching in prayer, light is sown in darkness, the foundations are reestablished, and the pleasure of God is fulfilled. Prayer never ceases. It continues, in season and out, anticipating, observing, plowing, sowing, reaping, fertilizing, watering, and rejoicing. Living our lives with eyes open for God is what watching in prayer is all about. This is the striking difference in Jesus’ prayer life. Prayer is being in harmony with our Father in Heaven and allowing Him to make us a vessel of His will on earth. Watching 15