“But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.” Matthew 24:43 NIV

The call to watch and pray is strongly encouraged throughout the Bible as a safeguard against evil, particularly at times when there is a sense of urgency and/or an awareness of being vulnerable.

The reality of this truth and the power released through its practice was driven home in dramatic fashion several years ago when our church was broken into under cover of darkness very early one morning.

It just so happened we had a prayer watch scheduled that day and a parishioner, the first to drive into the parking lot, so startled the thief, that they fled empty-handed out the back door. The security alarm indicated they had been in the building less than 3 minutes.

“And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer!” (Isaiah 65:24 KJV)