Freedom Friday – The Watchman

Welcome to the first Freedom Friday! August is almost over so our focus on fasting has ended. I will now post prayers for America on Fridays, because our nation desperately needs our prayers.

If we want America to change, then what we need most are watchmen. Watchmen were men in the Old Testament who were to guard the towers of the fortified cities. When danger was approaching, they were to warn the city. This was an actual military post, but was also used as a metaphor for the prophets. They were to be watchman for the Lord and warn the cities of impending judgment.

“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me: When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul” Ezek 3:17-19 (NKJV).

God told Ezekiel to be a watchman over the house of Israel so he could warn them of judgment. America needs some bold men and women like Ezekiel. When God appointed Ezekiel he told him,  “But the house of Israel will not listen to you, because they will not listen to Me; for all the house of Israel are impudent and hard-hearted. Behold, I have made your face strong against their faces, and your forehead strong against their foreheads. Like adamant stone, harder than flint, I have made your forehead; do not be afraid of them, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they are a rebellious house” Ezek 3:7-9 (NKJV). We need brave men and women who are not afraid of political correctness and will warn the people that judgment is upon us.

Let’s take a look at some New Testament watchmen:

“Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” 37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. 38 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.” 39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” 40 Then He came to the disciples and found them asleep, and said to Peter, “What? Could you not watch with Me one hour? 41 “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.” 43 And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. 45 Then He came to His disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 “Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.” Matt 26:36-46 (NKJV)

Jesus wanted the disciples to watch and pray while he was in the garden. Three times he went to them and found them sleeping. He finely told them it was too late. This I feel is a good picture of America. Judgment is all around us and our country is sinking into financial devastation, our debt is impossible to recover from, our immorality is the same as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the church is asleep on the job. We need to be watching and praying as Jesus instructed the disciples.

Prayer for America:
Lord, America is in desperate need of Revival and Spiritual Awakening, yet the church is sleeping. Please wake us up before it is too late. We need watchmen who are not afraid to take a stand and call sin for what it is. We need prayer warriors who are willing to stay up all night to pray. Please raise up our youth to be bold and courageous and take the place of the sleeping adults in our churches. Please forgive us for our lukewarmness and apathy in our churches. Call out people who will stand in the gap for America. Call out prophets who will warn America of impending judgment. We realize that the hour is at hand, when Christ is preparing to return. Please don’t let him return without waking up Your church in America. We are “unworthy of all the lovingkindness and of all the faithfulness which You have shown” to our nation Gen 32:10 (NASB). You promised in Your Word that You would not send judgment without a prophet’s warning. Please send us prophets. In Jesus Name, Amen.