The Eight Hebrew Prayer Watch Hours And It’s Biblical Meaning
In the rhythmic cadence of our daily lives, where minutes melt into hours and hours into days, it’s easy to lose sight of the profound connection we share with the spiritual realm. In the pursuit of our goals, dreams, and everyday responsibilities, the concept of setting aside dedicated time for communion with the divine often takes a back seat. However, there exists a timeless tradition that invites us to transcend the ordinary and tap into a wellspring of spiritual power – the practice of Prayer Watch Hours.
Imagine the world as a vast, celestial clock, where each hour holds unique energies and opportunities for divine intervention. Prayer Watch Hours, deeply rooted in ancient traditions and spiritual disciplines, guide us in aligning our hearts and minds with these cosmic rhythms. As we synchronize our prayers with specific times of the day or night, we enter a sacred dance with the universe, unlocking channels of communication that bridge the gap between the earthly and the divine.
In this exploration of Prayer Watch Hours, we embark on a journey to understand the significance of these appointed moments and how they can profoundly impact our spiritual lives. Join us as we unravel the secrets of this ancient practice, discover the rich tapestry of spiritual traditions that embrace it, and learn how incorporating Prayer Watch Hours into our daily routines can transform our connection with the divine and empower our journey toward spiritual enlightenment.
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Understanding The Prayer Watch Hours
As the believer that you are, you need to know the prayer watch hours and incorporate them into your daily devotional life with God.
Let me quote a verse from the Bible which says – ‘Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving- Colossians 4:2’. The Bible speaks to us directly about the need to always be watchful on this daily devotional exercise to God.
Understanding the prayer watch hours in the world we are in now is of benefit to you as a believer. But did you know? Despite the teachings on this subject, many Christians are oblivious about the prayer watch hours. But you are an exception to that today.
Your love for God and Christianity is what prompts you to search for a subject matter like this and you won’t be disappointed as I have prepared the answers to your questions.
The prayer watch hours are certain allotted hours out of the 24 hours in a day, in which one should have a quite deep communing time with God. These are the hours when you should extend your praise, adoration, worries, and troubles to the Lord.
However, God is available to hear you at all times but these hours are said to have their significance. Get to know more about these hours of prayer watches in the next categories below.
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The Eight Hebrew Prayer Watches
The Hebrews are known as the ancient northern Semitic people referred to as the ancestors of the Jews.
Bible scholars use the term Hebrews to define descendants of the patriarchs of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament)—i.e., Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (later known as Israel—from that period until their conquest of Canaan (Palestine) in the late 2nd millennium BCE. These people are referred to as Israelites until their return from the Babylonian Exile in the late 6th century BCE when they became known as Jews from that time.
As some of us observe morning prayers, night prayers, or afternoon prayers. It is not so with the Hebrews, the Hebrews observe specific hours for prayers, which is known as the eight prayer watches. The Hebrew prayer watches are grouped into 8 to make up for 24 hours in a day
In the western part of our world, we cling to the belief that the beginning of each day starts in the morning, however, this is not so with the Hebrews, who believe that each day begins in the evening, specifically at 6pm.
You can never win an argument against a westerner on trying to convince the person to believe that each day doesn’t begin in the morning but rather in the evening as it is with the Hebrews because that is our custom and belief.
Below are the Hebrew prayer watches
1. The first of the Hebrews prayer watches begins in the evening from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
2. The second Hebrew prayer watch is from 9:00 pm to 12:00 am.
3. The third is from 12:00 am to 3:00 am.
4. The fourth is from 3:00 am to 6:00 am.
5. The fifth is from 6:00 am to 9:00 am.
6. The sixth is from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.
7. The seventh is from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
8. And the eighth Hebrew prayer watch of the day begins from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. The cycle continues again daily.
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The Eight Prayer Watches And Their Implications
Prayer watches are the certain period in which we commune, communicate, meditate and pray according to God’s word and promises over our lives. These times are grouped into day and night with four watches each. At any of these times, you ought to pray. This is why Paul said we should pray continually.
1 Thessalonians 5:17-19
‘Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit.’
Each of the eight prayer watches has its significance and the prayers to make for each prayer watch. Below are the eight prayer watches.
• The First Prayer Watch (6:00 pm – 9:00 pm)
1 Chronicles 23:30
‘And they were to stand every morning, thanking and praising the Lord, and likewise at evening’.
At this hour while all work and activities of the day are completed, we are to reflect on everything that happens throughout the day at our schools, workplace, and businesses. During this prayer watch, you should pray and be thankful to God for his goodness and guidance throughout the day.
It is an hour of meditation, we are advised from the scriptures to meditate on the word of the Lord day and night. Meditating on the word is our guide to prosperity and successful life.
See Joshua 1:8
‘This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.’
• The Second Prayer Watch (9:00 pm – 12:00 am)
During this second prayer watch, darkness covers the earth at this time. The kingdom of darkness gathers to set and send their evil attacks on mankind. These enemies usually observe and monitor you during the day to know where to attack you at this hour.
Just to inflict pains and sorrows in the lives of believers, the enemies do not sleep at these hours, they prepare their evil devices and plans. Do not be weary during this prayer watch hour, be alert and pray for the destruction of their activities against your lives.
• The Third Prayer Watch (12:00 am – 3:00 am)
Demonic activities get intense at this time, during this prayer watch you should pray against every form of immortality acts, temptations, and voice urging you to succumb to any immoral act. At this hour the Lord’s protection is over us His children.
Psalm 91:5
‘You shall not be afraid of the terror of the night, nor of the arrow (the evil plots and slanders of the wicked) that flies by day.’
During this watch the Lord gives us strength to defeat our enemies and helps us emerge victorious, this can be seen in the case of Gideon, how he defeated the Midianite armies.
See Judges 7:9
‘That same night the Lord said to him, “Arise, go down against the camp, for I have given it into your hand’.
• The Fourth Prayer Watch (3:00 am – 6:00 am)
This is known as the fourth prayer watch of the night. It is crucial to observe this watch and prayer cause the enemies are taking advantage of this hour to cause mayhem in the lives of people.
It is at this time as recorded in the Bible that our Lord Jesus Christ, walked on the surface of sea waters.
See Matthew 14:25-26
‘And in the fourth watch [between 3:00—6:00 a.m.] of the night, Jesus came to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified and said, It is a ghost! And they screamed out with fright.’
Those with zeal and fervency take advantage of this hour to wake up early to destroy the plans and plots orchestrated by the satanic world and to command their morning.
• The Fifth Prayer Watch (6:00 am – 9:00 am)
At these hours of the prayer watch, a new day begins. Some people do begin a new day without observing the first prayer watch of the day, as the sun rises which signifies the onset of a new day, they go about their daily activities with no reverence to this prayer watch, this is not ideal as a believer, because it is at this time of the prayer watch that we get revived by the spirit of the Lord to confront the new day and the pressures it brings.
What happens during the first prayer watch of the day
Manifestation of the Holy Spirit
Acts 2.
It was at these hours 6:00 am – 9:00 am that the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples in the upper room as they pray. It is a time of the outpouring of the Spirit to refresh, refine, and revive us. Being filled with the Holy Spirit is our sustainability and strength in our walk with God cause without the Holy Spirit we are prone to be easily moved by the flesh, which will stand as a barrier to fulfilling the divine purpose of God. The Holy Spirit empowers us to make spiritual utterances to the atmosphere and command the day and our dealings as it is ordained to be.
We can see this example in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Mark 1:35 -‘ And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.’
The Lord wakes up at this time to pray to His Father, in the same manner, we have to pray to commit the whole day to the Lord’s care.
• The Sixth Prayer Watch (9:00 am – 12:00 pm)
At this prayer watch, the sun rises to its peak. But it was not so 2000 years ago while Jesus was crucified on the Cross of Calvary, darkness covered the whole Inhabitat from noon until 3:00 pm the period of darkness ended.
Mark 15:25
‘And it was the third hour (about nine o’clock in the morning) when they crucified Him.’
Matthew 27:45
‘Now from the sixth hour (noon), there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour (three o’clock)’.
That kind of darkness was never experienced since the existence of mankind. The sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ has delivered mankind from the grip of darkness and has redeemed our relationship with God the Father.
The sixth prayer watch also known as the second prayer watch of the day is the time to intentionally think back on the love of God for giving his son to die for us. The power of the cross and the blood of Jesus now gives access to divine mercy, grace, and blessings from the Almighty.
What to expect during this second prayer watch of the day
Benefits of the cross, fulfillment of God’s divine promises for mankind
For God gave His son Jesus Christ to die for mankind so our sins can be forgiven and so at this time you seek forgiveness by the reason of the blood of Christ that died on the cross of Calvary, redemption, healing, and the fulfillment of God’s purpose and promise over your life. God’s purpose in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ was to die for the sake of mankind, and at this prayer hour, the purpose came to fulfillment. It is an opportunity for you to make judicious use of the prayer watch to pray for the fulfillment of your purpose here on earth and God’s promise in your life.
See Colossians 2:13-15.
• The Seventh Prayer Watch (12:00 pm – 3:00 pm)
The seventh prayer watch is also known as the third prayer watch of the day. The sun rises to its highest peak and radiates in its full illumination over the earth. The prayer watch hour is meant for believers to dwell in the secret place and engage in fervent prayers to the Most High God.
Proverbs 4:18- ‘But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until the full day.’
It is a time for sabotaging evil foundations and judgment and gaining freedom and breaking free from satanic plots and attacks. You are empowered to exercise your God-given dominion.
Acts 26:13
‘About noon, Your Majesty, as I was on the road, a light from heaven brighter than the sun shone down on me and my companions.’
It was at this time our Lord Jesus Christ was on the cross dying for mankind to be saved. It was also at this time a vision about the clean and unclean animals was received by Peter and at this hour Daniel usually go into his secret place to pray.
• The Eighth Prayer Watch (3:00 pm – 6:00 pm)
It was exactly at this time that our Lord Jesus Christ proclaimed that “it is finished” and he then gave up the ghost. It is a time to rejoice and be happy for the blood of Christ has cleansed and set you free
1 John 1:7
‘But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin’.
As believers, this is also the prayer watch where we yearn and seek God’s intervention over our spiritual lives and ministries.
Acts 3:1
‘Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour (three o’clock in the afternoon)’.
As the day draws close to an end you should begin to express your appreciation to God for his faithfulness throughout the day.
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Second Prayer Watch (9pm to 12 am)
The second prayer watch is observed between 9:00 pm to 12:00 am. As you have known, all witchcraft and demonic operations are done in the nighttime hours because the devil and his agents love the darkness.
Have you ever been outside of your room at this hours? If yes you will discover that everywhere becomes so dark. At this time these agents of darkness equipped themselves to cause chaos in your life and the lives of your loved ones while you sleep.
As a believer whenever you wake up at this hour and felt an urge to pray, you should take this chance at this time to backfire all the evil arrows and attacks sent to you, also interceding on behalf of your family and friends. The Bible says the devil comes to steal, kill, and destroy at this time, you should always be vigilant for the enemies are roaming around the earth to find whom to destroy.
We are meant to understand from Scripture that, it was at midnight hour like this, that God sent his judgment on the Egyptians by killing every firstborn child and animal in the kingdom to vindicate his people. This signifies how highly spiritual this time is, by praying at this time you gain total freedom and deliverance from the shackles of the enemies.
Did you know what to say or how to pray during this second prayer watch? Check out some of the prayer points I have prepared below to aid you during the prayer watch hour.
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Prayer Points For The Second Prayer Watch
1. Every curse and spell that is at work in my family and lineage, you are broken forever. Any satanic strong man holding people in bondage in my family, today your assignment is terminated forever in Jesus’ name.
2. Any satanic wicked plans, plots, evil agenda, and negative expectation of the enemy over my life be terminated, anywhere they are gathered against my life tonight, may they be frustrated in Jesus’ name.
3. Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise against me. Deliver me from those who work evil, and save me from bloodthirsty men. For behold, they lie in wait for my life; fierce men stir up strife against me. For no transgression or sin of mine, O Lord (Psalm 59:1-3).
4. I break and nullify every contract binding me and my family. Any blood covenant that has been done on my behalf, any sacrifice to gods and altars to monitor and regulate me, I render such monitoring forces useless over my life in Jesus’ name.
5. I take authority over any witchcraft manipulation over my life and my destiny, let the anointing of the Holy Spirit terminate them over my life in Jesus’ name.
4th Watch Prayer Points (3am To 6am)
The 4th prayer watch as earlier stated begins in the early hours of the morning(3:00 am to 6:00 am). This prayer watch should be strictly adhered to and observed as it is the final prayer watch of the night and also the prayer watch that ushers you into the beginning of the day and its activities.
During this prayer watch hour, you shouldn’t just pray any kinds of prayer, there are some prayer points you have to pray because each of the prayer watches has its significance and the prayer points that are to be prayed in between these hours. According to the Bible, it was at this time the Israelites were set free from King pharaoh’s slavery in Egypt.
This is a time to command the morning and decree how you want the day to be, the time of deliverance, a time to expose every orchestration of the evildoers. To aid your prayers, I have prepared some 4th watch prayer points you are to pray during this hour.
4th watch prayer points:
1. I will chase my enemies, and they will surely fall before me by the sword(Leviticus 26:7).
2. My God will bring down the wicked into the pit of destruction; men of blood and treachery shall not live out half of their days. But I will trust in, lean on, and confidently rely on You (psalm 55:23).
3. As we step out today Lord, let your beauty and delightfulness and favor be upon us; I ask that you confirm and establish the work of our hands—yes, the work of our hands, confirm and establish it(Psalm 90:17).
4. Lord you are my Rock, my Fortress, and my Deliverer; my God, my keen and firm Strength in you I put all my trust and take refuge, my Shield, and the Horn of my salvation, my High Tower. I call on you only for you are worthy of my praise; so I will be saved from my adversaries(Psalm 18:2-3).
5. I decree over my life that no weapon that is orchestrated against me and my household shall prosper; for this is my inheritance as the servant of the Lord(Isaiah 54:17).
6. You alone know the thoughts and plans which you have for me, they are thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, plans to give me hope in your final outcome in all I do(Jeremiah 29:11).
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3 Am Prayer Watch And Its Importance
The 3 am prayer watch is considered the fourth prayer watch and the last of the night prayer watch from 3:00 am to 6:00 am. There are usually fewer prayers going on at this time, because, most people normally enjoy the euphoria of sleep at these early hours on their beds while the devil and his agents are carrying out most of their witchcraft activities. This time has a high level of extraordinary and spiritual workings. The satanic world unveiled itself, they become visible to the human realm and execute their evil plots and plans in the lives of men.
The Bible also states this clearly in Matthew 13:25- ‘But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.’
As you sleep during this time, it is the opportunity the devil gets to attack the believers. Also, Jesus spoke on a parable, that ‘men ought always to pray, and not to faint – (Luke 18:1). We are empowered and given the authority by God to command the day and morning as we want it to be.
If you seek to know about the 3 am prayer watch and its importance, you are definitely in the right space, there are various importance of observing the 3 am prayer watch. Explore some of the importance below.
1. It’s the time to bind and hinder the works of darkness from prevailing.
For at this hour the kingdom of darkness is on demonic assignment, executing evil plans over you and your family. The satanic activities at this time increase, that’s why at this time you may likely meet face to face with a spirit or you may feel an extremely heavy presence of spirits.
Proverbs 4:14-17 saying, ‘Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil. Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on. For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong; they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble. For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.’
Ephesians 6:12 – ‘For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.’
So at this time confronting the enemies spiritually through your prayer will destroy and hinder them from executing their plots, which gives you victory.
2. Hour of Communion with God
This hour as earlier said is highly spiritual, this is the time where you watch and wait upon the Lord to know the plans of God cause it is the time the new dawn breaks forth and the darkness ends. At this hour when you are at watch the Almighty comes to commune with you. How overwhelming it is for the Lord to be with you at this quiet time.
Psalm 77:6- ‘I meditate and search my spirit and I commune with my heart in the nighttime.’
3. New dawn, divine favor, and blessings
The enemies have plotted all manner of attacks against you and the church, so at this prayer watch hours their plans are terminated, the veil of shame they put on you and each of their devices against you are loosed. Then you command the breaking of the new dawn and the rest of the day to work according to your favor.
At this hour you seek and receive the blessings from the Almighty to sustain you throughout the whole day. For you can not do without the blessings, the blessings of the Lord are the reason you are where you are and who you are this day. Continue to observe this prayer watch hour.
Now that you are aware of the various prayer watch hours and what to pray for at each watch. You should always observe these watches both day and night because they are all essential to the life of every believer.
Christopher is a well sought-after writer, speaker and life coach, helping many people to enjoy a better life in all endeavors. He speaks and writes on subjects concerning spiritual, relationship, career and finances.