Watch – and Pray
Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010In chapter 13 of the gospel according to Mark, Jesus instructs disciples of all generations about the signs of His return. In Mark 13:33, after describing the signs, He winds it all down to this: ”Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.”
Why did He tell us to watch? For at least two reasons.
First, Jesus wants us to watch so we will see and know the signs of the times. We’re now seeing signs of what He referred to as the “beginnings of sorrows” in Mark 13:8 and Matthew 24:8: wars and rumors of wars, nations and kingdoms rising against each other, earthquakes, famines, and troubles. The beginnings of sorrows will usher in a string of prophetic events culminating in Jesus’ return.
Disciples of Jesus should not be surprised by His return. We’re supposed to watch so we will see. In Matthew 24:37, Jesus says the coming of the Son of Man will be like the days of Noah. How is that significant? Noah knew a flood was coming. No one else even knew what a flood was. But Noah knew because the Lord told him, and Noah prepared – despite the ridicule of his family and neighbors. If Noah knew, so will we even as the rest of the world sits in darkness!
In fact, in 1 Thessalonians 5:2, the Apostle Paul by the Holy Spirit tells us that the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night. But in verses 4-5 he tells us that day won’t overtake us as a thief because we are not in darkness, but are children of light.
We should not be surprised! In John 16:13, Jesus announces that when the Holy Spirit comes He will reveal things to come! Every Spirit-filled believer should be turning inwardly to see what the Holy Spirit is revealing.
Why should we watch? So we’ll see and recognize the signs of the times.
There’s a second reason for us to watch. Jesus told us to watch – and pray! We must watch so we’re thoroughly equipped to pray to the Father, in the Name of Jesus, effectively and with great precision.
If we as members of the Body of Christ step up, keep our eyes open, and pray with power in these days, great things will happen in the earth. Will you take your place? Will you watch and pray?

How did it happen? Riley Stephenson, Minister of Evangelism for Kenneth Copeland Ministries, trained and led teams from Abundant Life Church into the fray. Danielle Dallas and Kelly Cates, two experienced members of Brother Riley’s soul winning team, dove in as well. The Holy Spirit moved, and lives were changed forever.

If you want to know more about what to do, check out Brother Riley’s web site: www.rileystephenson.com. His site has lots of great materials. Also, his YouTube channel (rileystephenson) is chock full of great videos, including a few from this last weekend’s Halloween. Or contact us at Abundant Life Church. We’ll hook you up with our new evangelism director, Lola Reardon.

