In Biblical times, watchmen were supposed to protect the city walls from the invasion of the enemy. That meant that they had to remain alert during the time they were in their post, discern foes from friends, and sound the alarm when necessary.
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: Ezekiel 3:17
God told Ezekiel that he had set him as a watchman over the house of Israel. He was supposed to listen to the words of the Lord and warn the Israelites when God instructed him. Ezekiel was the prophet of God and was appointed by God for this task. In this case, he was a spiritual watchman for the house of Israel.
I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem;They shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the Lord, do not keep silent, And give Him no rest till He establishes And till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth. Isaiah 62: 6-7
The Lord sets watchmen over His people to intercede on their behalf and be attentive to His voice. The watchmen are intercessors. These are individuals who have a burden to pray for people, churches, communities, and nations, and they listen to hear God on behalf of them.
Has the Lord called you to be an intercessor? If you have a tendency to worry about people’s lives, your church, or your country, you may have a burden to pray by warring in the spirit on behalf of God’s people. You are called to release your worry and become a warrior for God!
Our nation and our communities need our prayers. Many people are quick to share their opinions about anything and everything that is going on in the culture, but it is more powerful when people of God look to the Lord and intercede on behalf of the people. We need the Lord to intervene in the affairs of man and for Him to give us wisdom on how to handle various situations.
Do you have a burden to pray for regularly? Does God share words of encouragement to share with those you pray for?Does your church hold prayer meetings that you can pray with other intercessors corporately? If you don’t have regular prayer meetings, who is interceding for your church and your community?
