"On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have appointed watchmen; all day and all night they will never keep silent. You who remind the Lord, take no rest for yourselves; and give Him no rest until He establishes and makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth" Isaiah 62:6-7
Sign up today for your hour on the wall by contacting our Prayer Coordinators
The Watchman Prayer Ministry Kick-off will be on Sunday, January 4, 2009
What is the Watchman Prayer Ministry?
The Watchman Prayer Ministry is a lay ministry of Fairview Baptist Church that unites its participants in the ministry of intercessory prayer. A symbolic "wall" is built with 168 people who commit to pray during a designated hour each week. This provides intercessory prayer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. During this hour, the watchman will pray for the needs of the congregation, the ministries of Fairview, our pastors, leadership, community, state, nation and the world. The watchman will refer to the church's website for updated prayer requests, devotions and other prayer alerts.
How does it work?
Participants will commit to being "the prayer watchman" for one hour each week. A monthly newsletter called the "Watchman Prayer Alert" will be available on the church's website and in print and will contain specific prayer requests, updates and other helpful information to assist watchmen during their watch. The watch may take place wherever the intercessor is as long as he is able to complete one hour of uninterrupted time with the Lord.
Following the assigned hour on the wall, the watchman will call the next hour's watchman to duty and report: "I have completed my watch and I now commend you to the Lord while you watch and pray."
How Do You Become a Watchman?
By prayerfully seeking the Holy Spirit's leadership and call to this ministry, an individual may contact the prayer coordinator to sign up to be a watchman. The individual will then be assigned a time on the wall.
What if I'm Not Able to Maintain the Watch?
This approach is so simple that reserve intercessors are not needed in case of absences. For instance, if the Watchman is out of town, he or she is still accountable for the same hour on the wall wherever he or she is located and, if possible, for calling the next Watchman. Watchmen will continue serving their assigned hours until they notify the prayer office that they wish to be relieved of the responsibility. If an intercessor fails to take the assigned watch, the prayer office will call and offer assistance. If the Watchman fails to keep his assigned hour of watch for two consecutive weeks, the prayer office will enlist a replacement.
Can Children Take a Place on the Wall?
To secure a position on the wall, a Watchman must be of a mature and responsible age. Parents are encouraged to allow children to participate in the parents' assigned hours on the wall. This will be good training and spiritual preparation for the child, who will understand the principle of prayer through practice with the parents. High school students and mature middle school students may be ready for their own watch on the wall.
