Understanding The 8 Prayer Watch Hours In The Bible And Prayer Points You Should Pray

Let’s punch the bag straight-a-way!

In Christian tradition, the concept of “prayer watches” refers to specific times set aside for prayer throughout the day and night. While there isn’t a direct list of eight spiritual prayer watches in the Bible, some interpretations organize prayer watches based on passages that mention times of prayer or spiritual vigilance. Here’s a simplified breakdown:

Evening (6 PM – 9 PM): The first watch traditionally begins in the evening. It symbolizes a time to thank God for the day and seek His guidance and protection for the night ahead.

Midnight (9 PM – 12 AM): The second watch is during the late hours, emphasizing the importance of spiritual vigilance and readiness. It can signify repentance, spiritual warfare, and seeking God’s presence in the darkness.

Cockcrow (12 AM – 3 AM): This watch recalls the time when Peter denied Jesus three times before the rooster crowed. It’s often associated with repentance, renewal, and waiting expectantly for the dawn of God’s mercy.

Early Morning (3 AM – 6 AM): The fourth watch occurs during the early morning hours, symbolizing a time of renewal, spiritual awakening, and seeking God’s guidance for the day ahead.

Morning (6 AM – 9 AM): This watch aligns with the beginning of the day, emphasizing gratitude for new mercies, seeking God’s direction for daily tasks, and committing the day’s activities to Him.

Mid-Morning (9 AM – 12 PM): This watch signifies a continuation of morning prayer, seeking God’s provision and wisdom in the midst of daily responsibilities.

Noon (12 PM – 3 PM): The seventh watch is associated with the time when Jesus was crucified. It’s a time for reflection on the sacrifice of Christ, seeking forgiveness, and interceding for others.

Afternoon (3 PM – 6 PM): This watch marks the transition from day to evening, symbolizing perseverance in prayer, thanksgiving for God’s faithfulness throughout the day, and seeking His protection for the night ahead.

These prayer watches are not explicitly outlined in the Bible but are derived from biblical principles and historical Christian practices of setting aside specific times for prayer and spiritual reflection.

Hebrew Prayer Watches

Prayer is important in the life of a believer. In fact, Jesus was clear about it when he said “men ought to pray and not to faint”.

More so, it is important to know that the bible mentioned some prayer watch hours, especially according to the Hebrew prayer watches, which are a kind of classification of time of the day.

Generally, the time of the day is classified into morning, afternoon and night; but in Hebrew, there are eight classifications, which are the first watch hour to the 8th prayer watch hour. Each of these prayer hours has its significance and the belief attached to them.

I guess you believe in the significance of these prayer watch hours in the bible, so, let’s get down to discussing each of them in detail.

Related Post: Prayer For Family And Loved Ones

Understanding The Eight Prayer Watches In The Bible

‘Arise, cry out in the night: in the beginning of the watches pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord: lift up thy hands toward him for the life of thy young children, that faint for hunger in the top of every street.’ ( Lamentations 2:19 KJV)

Basically, a watch as described in the Bible refers to a specific time or moment of the day. We all have 24 hours in a day. Each hour belongs to a particular watch amongst the eight prayer watches in the Bible.

As mentioned earlier, we have 24 hours in a day which can be divided equally into 8 prayer watches. Mind you, it is important to quickly mention, that according to Hebrew custome, each day begins in the evening, not in the morning, as we have it to be in the western world.

Therefore, the first prayer watch is from 6 pm to 9 pm; the second from 9 pm to 12 am; the third from 12 am to 3 am; the fourth from 3 am to 6 am; the fifth from 6 am to 9 am; the sixth from 9 am to 12 pm; the seventh from 12 pm to 3 pm and the final watch of the day, from 3 pm to 6 pm.

Each of these prayer watches in the bible has its spiritual significance as explained in the Scriptures and we are going to look at how, as a believer, you can take advantage of these periods to pray and effect the needed change in your life and destiny.

With that said, let’s consider each of them.

Significance Of Prayer Watches In The Bible

#The First Prayer Watch Hour – 6 pm to 9 pm

The first prayer watch as the time indicates begins at evening time( i.e. 6 pm). We can also say that it is the beginning of the night for at this time, almost everywhere, all work during the day must have ended and people will either be resting or getting ready to retire to their various places of abode.

This prayer watch is a time for meditation on what God has done for us throughout the day after which we thank Him for seeing us through that day.

Also, it is the time to meditate on the Word of God — Joshua 1:8 KJV “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate therein day and night…” .

Of course, we would have to spend time relaxing with family, however, we can always spare some time to give to prayers and meditation on God’s word at this time of the day.

More so, it is a time for us to renew our covenant with Him as the busyness of the day’s activities might have made us lose sight of Him.

Furthermore, the Scriptures tells us more about this time of the day in Mark 1:32, 34 KJV which says that:

“And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils. And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.”

The main emphasis in this verse is ‘at even, when the sun did set,’ pointing to the period in which Jesus performed a lot of miracles in the lives of people.

Therefore, we can take advantage of this watch and use it judiciously as a time to wrought exploits for the kingdom of God. On the other hand, we can also seek God’s intervention in grey areas of our lives.

#The Second Prayer Watch – 9 pm to 12 am

During this watch, night has come and it is characterized by deep darkness in the natural.

In the spiritual realm, this is the time when forces of darkness gear themselves up to wreak havoc by midnight. If evil persons can do this, how much more is the believer? We should thus take advantage of this time to ward off and destroy all the plans of the Wicked one that he might be planning against us.

Intercessors cannot afford to be sleeping at this time, but must be alert to counter the tokens of the devil and his agents by praying against them vehemently.

As a believer during this watch, you should pray for divine protection over your family and all that pertains to you, because, at this time, the devil is not sleeping but rather on the move to ‘..steal, to kill and to destroy. Pray out Ps 68:1; 35:1-28.

This second prayer watch ends at midnight and the Bible tells us that it was at midnight God executed judgement on the people of Egypt by killing all the firstborn of both man and animals and bringing deliverance to His own.

If you are going to experience deliverance and breakthrough, then you should pray at this time and see what God will do on your behalf.

Let’s look at the third prayer watch.

Related Post: Prayer Points For Family Members

#The Third Prayer Watch – 12 am to 3 am

This watch of the night is a time of much spiritual activity and where forces of darkness are on the rampage to devour and destroy the unguarded.

This is the time when evil men begin their incantations and destructive works to oppress men and put them in bondage.

But as believers, we must never be afraid of them because we have been given authority and dominion over all principalities and powers.

Moreover, God’s word tells us that ‘..we’re sitted with Christ Jesus in heavenly places far above all principalities and powers..’ and so based on our exalted position in Jesus Christ, we can effectively war and prevail against the schemes of the forces of darkness.

We are to make full use of our spiritual gear at this time in warring against the devil and his agents. We stand in the gap for our families, loved ones, brethren etc.

The devil takes advantage of this time because it is during this time that most people are asleep and vulnerable to his attacks and onslaughts.

This is seen through persistent nightmares, sexual dreams and all forms of demonic attcks. But, as believers, we cannot feign ignorance because whether we like it or not, the devil is all out to devour.

So, it is left for us to ‘rise up’ to the challenge and wield the authority and power given to us in Christ and battle against the devil and the forces of darkness.

During this time also, it is a moment of seeking the help of God in seemingly dark and dreary areas of our lives. We can pray to receive divine guidance and leading for our lives.

Furthermore, we take the moment to speak the will and mind of God into our lives, families, business etc and cancel every contrary voice and token against us through the name of Jesus Christ, which is a name that is above every other name, whether in heaven or on earth.

Related Post: Powerful Early Morning Prayers

#The Fourth Prayer Watch – 3 am to 6 am

‘And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus…’

The fourth prayer watch is very essential and must not be taken with levity. Why? This is because it is the last prayer watch of the night. Jesus walked on water to meet His disciples at this watch of the night as revealed in Matthew 14:25-26 [KJV]:

‘And in the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. [26] And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit, and they cried out for fear.’ It is usually at this period that the devil and his agents are returning from their activities and it, therefore, calls for intercession on your part as a believer.

What exactly do you pray during this time? You should pray against every work of darkness that has been done against your life, family, business, journey etc; destroying them and cancelling them all in the name of Jesus.

It is a time to call on God to destroy every work of the devil that has been planned against your life for that day. It can be in the form of an accident, misfortune, bad luck, failure at an interview etc. As you’re led by the Holy Spirit, you should pray against them.

Pray out Isaiah 54:17 and establish the counsel and will of God in your life for that day.

More so, it is a time to cast down imaginations, pull down every stronghold and work of darkness that has been set against you, your family and others for that day.

Our victory is found in Jesus and by the power of the Holy Ghost, we are sure to prevail and bring to nought the counsel of the wicked against us.

Related Post: Ways To Pray And Fast To Get Breakthrough Quick

#The Fifth Prayer Watch – 6 am to 9 am

The fifth prayer watch marks the beginning of the day. This is the time to commit your ways into the hands of God to prosper you for that day as it says in Psalm 37:5 [KJV]:’ Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass.

This is the time to seek God’s face for his help and guidance as you go through that day.

It was this “third hour of the day” (that is, 9:00 A.M.) when the Holy Spirit descended upon the 120 disciples in the Upper Room (on the day of Pentecost) as a form of empowerment for service. (Acts 2:15)

Regular work schedules usually begin between the hours of 6:00 A.M. and 9:00 A.M. This is the time to ask the Holy Spirit to equip you with wisdom and prepare you with strength for the workday ahead.

In like manner, Jesus got up early in the morning, while it was still dark, and went off to a solitary place to pray (Mark 1:35).

#The Sixth Prayer Watch – 9 am to 12 pm

The sixth watch of the day is when the sun is at its brightest. It was during this particular watch that Jesus was crucified on the cross and paid the supreme price for all mankind.

Matthew 27:45-46 [KJV] —’ Now from the sixth hour…’ Believers should take the time to reflect on the sacrificial death of Christ on the cross for us and be full of appreciation and gratitude for what He’s done for us.

Moreover, this is also a time when believers must not be loose or left unguarded. We are mostly occupied at this period and quite busy. We must be vigilant and careful, lest the devil takes advantage of our being loose and steal away the grace of God from us.

While in the workplace, at school, the market or wherever, we must always be on guard of our spiritual lives at this time.

#The Seventh Prayer Watch – 12 pm to 3 pm

This watch begins at 12noon till the ninth hour of the day. Naturally, the sun is at its brightest at noon. Believers should pray in line with Isa. 60:1 and pray that the glory of God rises upon their lives and families.

It was during this time that Peter went up to pray and there received the revelation from heaven heralding the entrance of the gospel to the Gentiles.

Also, Cornelius received a vision of an angel appearing to him at this time in correspondence with the vision received by Peter as revealed in Acts 10:3 [KJV] —’ He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming into him…’

Believers can maximize this period to seek the face of the Lord to reveal His perfect will for our lives at the moment and even for years to come.

#The Eighth Prayer Watch – 3 pm to 6 pm

And finally, the eighth prayer watch!

As Christians, more especially those with a specific calling of God upon them, the beginning of this watch is a time to seek the face of God for our lives, ministries and the assignment God has entrusted into our hands.

Let’s take a cue from Peter and John in Acts 3:1 [KJV] ‘Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.’

On the other hand, it was a time of visitation for the man at the gate called Beautiful. Believers should pray to receive (lest they miss) the visitation of God in peculiar areas of their lives that need divine intervention as in the case of the impotent man.

In addition, this marks the beginning of the last phase of the day. Generally speaking, work begins to draw to a close and as such, we should possess a deep sense of gratitude and appreciation in gratefulness for the victories God had won on our behalf during that day.

Related Post: Praying Powerfully And Effectively

How To Pray Effective Prayers That Guarantees Testimonies

 

Things have not been the same again ever since the time the first man God created fell till now. As a consequence of the fall, man has been brought under varying forms of limitations and embargoes. This ranges from physical setbacks in health, deformities and limitations in almost every facet of life. Therefore, man has had a deep desire to be free from whatever holds him down.

Man has turned into several means to achieve this from both the wrong way and the right way — from rituals involving sacrifices of various forms to all sorts just to have a breakthrough. However, one way stands out as the only true and lasting way for a man to have a breakthrough. This is through prayer.

What then is prayer?

You might ask why ask this? The truth is that most people think they are praying when in fact, they are not. Also, people all over the world claim to pray to the Sovereign God and yet it is little or no result further compounding and confusing them while others pray and get results instantaneously.

So let’s address the question for proper understanding and effectiveness in praying for a breakthrough, even in any of these prayer watch hours.

Prayer is communication with God. Think of it, you speak with people now and then isn’t it? How do you do such? Simple and easy right? Yes. Prayer is the same way but this time, with God Himself.

For your prayer to be heard and answered by God, however, the issue of sin must have been dealt with by being born again or converted.

Why? The psalmist has said in verse 18 of the 66th chapter of Psalms that “if I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” In other words, sin hinders God from hearing us. Therefore, we must have been saved by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross before God can hear us.

Furthermore, our prayers must be in the faith. We can keep praying from now till whenever but if there is no faith in God’s ability to give us a breakthrough, our breakthrough prayers cannot be answered.

James made mention of it by saying, “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.”

People seek breakthroughs for various areas and spheres of life from spiritual breakthrough to be released from the oppression and works of the devil to financial breakthrough from poverty and penury; academic or career breakthrough which involves breaking the yoke of failure and stagnation etc.

What area of your life are you looking up to God for divine intervention and breakthrough? I want to let you know that through Christ, your breakthrough is sure because He came to heal the brokenhearted, to set the captives free and to destroy all the works of the devil.

So wipe your tears away. The same God who visited Jabez, Jacob, Hannah and many others granting them their desired breakthrough will also visit you.

Pray these short powerful midnight prayers for breakthrough with all fervency and faith in God because ‘The effectual fervent prayer of the righteous man avails much.’ That being said, what then are the prayers you can and should pray for your breakthrough? Let’s delve in!

Short Powerful Midnight Prayers For Breakthrough With Bible Verses

 

1. Thank God for His power to save and to set free (John 8:32)

2. Thank Him for the gift of life and the privilege to approach His presence.

3. Thank Him for Jesus through whom you will experience breakthrough (Rev. 12:11)

4. Thank Him for His thoughts and plans towards you (Jer. 29:11)

5. Ask Him to purify you with the blood of Jesus

6. O God my Father, deliver me from every setback and chains holding me captive.

7. O God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, enlarge my coast and make me break forth on every side.

8. Increase my greatness, O Lord, and comfort me on every side, in Jesus’ name

9. O God, open my eyes to see the way to my breakthrough, in Jesus’ name.

10. Powers of hell hindering my breakthrough, be destroyed, in Jesus’ name.

11. Every satanic gathering against my breakthrough, be scattered in Jesus’ name!

12. I pull down every stronghold limiting me and hindering my breakthrough in Jesus’ name.

13. Every limitation of my father’s house affecting my life, be broken in Jesus’ name.

14. Holy Ghost power, break me free of every chain of limitation and setback in Jesus’ name.

15. O God, lift up my head from the dust and set me among princes in Jesus’ name.

16. O God, cause my light to come forth and shine in Jesus’ name!

17. I break forth into joy and happiness in Jesus’ name!

18. Every yoke of barrenness in my body, be broken by the power of the Holy Ghost in Jesus’ name!

19. Powers of darkness against my promotion, fall down and become impotent in Jesus’ name.

20. O Lord, bless the work of my hands and bring prosperity in Jesus’ name

Related Post: Powerful Declarations of Victory