Watching Over God’s Plans
Ephesians 6:18 (AMPC) Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people).
The plans that God has for the church, and for our lives individually, need to be watched over. The word “watched” is interesting. What does it mean to watch? Who is supposed to be doing the watching? When you watch over a plan, or a person, in the spirit, it is, in a sense, protecting them. The watcher warns of things that are coming or lets you know when something good is about to happen. Who is called to watch?
The Bible tells the Shepherds of the Body of Christ to watch for the souls in the body. Hebrews 13:17 tells Pastors to watch and give an account for those who the Lord has placed in their care. In Acts 20:28-31, the Shepherds are warned to watch over the sheep because of wolves getting in and destroying the sheep. A Shepherd watches by praying, teaching, leading, and guiding the flock God has given them. However, Shepherds are not the only ones called to watch today. Actually, the entire Body of Christ has responsibility to watch. Jesus told us all in Mark 13:33-37 to watch. The Amplified brings it out even more about watching. It says, “…Give strict attention, be cautious, active, and alert.” So, it is important for all of us to watch in the spirit over the plans of God for churches and for our lives.
What is watching? Really, it is a form of prayer. First Peter 4:7 says to watch unto prayer. Ephesians 6:18 says, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” Colossians 4:2 says it like this, “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.” So, watching is a form of prayer. You are not asking the Lord during this kind of prayer; you are waiting in His presence and taking your cues from Him. He is telling you or showing you things to come like John 16:13 says. He will give you warnings of things coming, so you can take authority over them or warn the appropriate people. He will let you know about things He wants to do and help you to pray them in or through. Watching in the spirit is a very important part of a prayer life.
We can learn a thing or two about watching from the Old Testament. Isaiah 62:6 says, “I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night; ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence.” First, God sets us all as watchmen, and we are to be doing it regularly. It is how the Lord warns us of things to come, and we are not to keep silent about Him or to those who need to know. Another really important point to know is found in Psalm 127:1, which says, “…Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” When we watch over a plan, it must be the plan of God. Everything that is done in the name of God must have its origin in Him. Otherwise, we do it in vain. But if it is God’s plan, it must be watched over and bathed in prayer. My charge to you: Get to watching!