The first prayer watch begins in the evening, which is the “foundation” of night. The evening is a time for us to relax and be with family. It is also a time when we reflect upon what occurred during the day (good or bad) and pray a prayer of thanksgiving to God for being with us and bringing us through it (1 Chronicles 23:30)

Time for Meditation

In addition to reflection and prayer, the first prayer watch is a time to meditate on God’s Word. Meditation quiets our emotions, realigns our mind, and frees us to hear God speaking to us. What we could not hear clearly earlier in the day, we begin to hear during this time. During this watch, ask God to give you clear directions for the next day and insight into His call on your life.

Period for Covenant Renewal with God

God’s covenant is found in the Bible and one of the many covenantal benefits we have is healing. Jesus healed many sick and demon-possessed people during this time. (Mark 1:32; Luke 4:40). This watch is usually for those who have a strong apostolic calling and anointing to break strongholds and walls. At this time, seasoned Christians are determined to do mighty things with boldness in the Lord.

If we begin to pray strategically during this watch with the Holy Spirit’s leading, we can prevent the kingdom of darkness from releasing curses on the new day.

Prayer Decrees for the First Prayer Watch

1. I am God’s child by faith in Christ Jesus, and I renew my covenant commitment to love Him with all my heart, soul, and strength. Through Jesus Christ, I am Abraham’s descendant and an inheritor of the covenant blessings God promised to Abraham (Galatians 3:26, 27, 29).
2. God has put His laws in my mind, and He has written them on my heart. Father, You are my God and I belong to You. You will forgive my wickedness and never again remember my sins (Hebrews 8:10, 12).
3. God’s words are what sustain me; they are food to my hungry soul. And Your Word brings joy to my heart, because I have hidden it in my heart so that I might not sin against you. (Jeremiah 15:16; Psalm 119:11)
4. God directs my steps and delights in every detail of my life. If I stumble, I will never fall, for He holds me by the hand. (Psalm 37:23-24)
5. I take delight in the Lord, and He gives me my heart’s desires (Psalm 37:4). I trust Him, and I lack no good thing (Psalm 34:10). God supplies all my needs from His riches in glory because of what Christ Jesus has done (Philippians 4:19). Now, I have plenty to give to every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8). In addition, I have favor, good understanding, and esteem in God’s sight and in the sight of man (Proverbs 3:4).

The second prayer watch is the time in which intercessors are able to impact the spiritual realm before the enemy gets ready to wreak havoc. In the natural, this watch is characterized by deep darkness. In the spiritual realm, this is the time when diabolical assignments and sabotage from the enemy are set in motion.

Pray for God’s Intervention

During this watch, it is important for intercessors to pray for God’s protection over their families, cities, and nations: “Let God arise, and His enemies be scattered” (Psalm 68:1).

The Bible tells us that midnight is a time when God intervenes and deals with the enemies that are trying to keep us from entering into His perfect plan for our lives. Psalm 119:62 says, “At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You because of Your righteous judgments.”

According to Exodus 12:29–31, it was at the midnight hour that God struck down the first-born of Egypt, which resulted in His people being released from captivity and set free to worship Him.

This watch, then, is a time for divine judgments, deliverance, prayer for the economy, tearing down walls of darkness and all the wicked structures from our economic, educational, religious, and political systems.

Prayers to Pray during the Second Prayer Watch

Pray aloud Psalm 59 and Psalm 68:1-4. Pray that God will arise and scatter His enemies. Have a session of praise and worship exalting God and commanding all creation to praise Him. Read aloud Psalm 148.

Prayer Decrees for the Second Prayer Watch

Heavenly Father…

1. Arise and scatter all your enemies! Chase them away! Drive them off like smoke before the wind; melt them like wax in a fire! Let the wicked perish in Your presence. But the righteous are glad and rejoice before You. They celebrate with joy and sing songs of praise to Your name! (Psalm 148: 1-4)
2. God saves me from my enemies and protects me from those who have come to destroy me. Oh God my Strength! I will sing your praises, for you are my place of safety. (Psalm 59:1, 9)
3. I decree and declare that the blood of Jesus forms a hedge of protection around me, my family, and our home. The blood of Jesus hides us from all demonic personalities, making it difficult for them to effectively track or trace us in the realm of the spirit.
4. I rebuke and lose my family and myself from all evil curses, spells, incantations, psychic powers, or sorceries that have attached themselves to me or my family bloodline. I declare all of these curses are null and void, in Jesus’ Name.
5. In the name of Jesus, I break off every power of the kingdom of darkness and cancel every proud idea that has established itself against Your plans for my life. I bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

The third prayer watch is a period of much spiritual activity. This watch hour will strengthen your faith. It is the same time that Peter denied Christ three times. Matthew 26:34, 74; Mark 144:30; Luke 22:34; John 13:38).

The Witching Hour

This watch is the darkest and most demonic part of the night, especially at midnight. Witches, warlocks, and Satanists have fun and start their incantations during this part of the night. The devil operates at this time because this is the time that men are in a deep sleep and there are not as many people praying to oppose him (1 Kings 3:20). This watch calls for seasoned intercessors.

You must not be afraid of witchcraft during this watch. The Lord has given us dominion and authority over all things. This prayer watch is geared for those who already know how to use their spiritual armour and war against the enemy. This is the time to pray against satanic attacks on your life, family members, marriages, churches, and communities. We are most vulnerable to the devil’s attacks because, at this time, we are asleep. Declare Psalm 91:5-6 for Divine protection for yourself, family, church, city and nation.

Time to Set Your Day Before It Begins

This is a powerful watch to be on when commanding the morning and setting things in place before the devil and his demons have a chance to ruin it. Plane crashes, car crashes, deaths, job loss, and many other acts of the devil can be stopped during this watch when intercessors obey the voice of the Lord and saturate this time with powerful, Spirit-led prayers.

Time for Spiritual Warfare

This is the time to awaken out of sleep and confront every storm of destruction and distraction that is robbing you of God’s blessings and provisions on your life. Also, it is the time to speak peace and calm into every turbulent and confusing situation.

Time to Strengthen Yourself Spiritually and Seek Direction

Be vigilant during this prayer time and watch for God’s revelation for breakthrough. In addition, seek His plans and purposes for your life and territory.

Time to Pray for Release from Every Prison

The Apostle Paul and Silas were released from prison during this time (Acts 16:25). In addition, God released the people of Israel from Egypt at this time (Exodus 12:31–37). According to Judges 16:3-4, Samson escaped from Gaza at midnight by pulling up the gates of the city and carrying them out with him.

Time to Make Your Case in Prayer

This is the period to pray for God’s provision to be released (Luke 11:5-13; Acts 16:3). It is also time for miracles and for applying the Blood of Jesus.

Dreams Flow during This Prayer Watch Hour

God uses dreams and visions to bring instruction and counsel to us as we sleep. Often, we are awakened during this time with dreams God has given to us. Besides this, God reveals areas where we need to concentrate our prayers and intercession. “Job 33:15-16 confirms this: “In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls upon men while slumbering on their beds, then He opens the ears of men and seals their instructions.”

At the same time, the devil can torment you in your dreams through persistent nightmares or sexual dreams. So, always pray before you go to sleep and ask God to keep you from the enemy’s devices.

Prayer Decrees for This Watch

Heavenly Father…

1. I plead the blood of Jesus against all demons of the night, nightmares, torment, and sleeplessness. Father, I ask that you protect my mind while I sleep. I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O Lord, will keep me safe. (Psalms 4:8)
2. I praise You because You counsel me. Even at night, You put Your instructions deep inside my mind. And Your Word is like a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. (Proverbs 16:7; Psalm 119:105)
3. In Jesus’ Name, I spoil every attack of the enemy. I cancel and forcefully oppose any satanic operations and strategies which are designed to hinder and prevent Your plans and purpose for my life from manifesting.
4. You said in Your Word that whatever we bind on earth is bound in heaven, and whatever we loose on earth is loosed in heaven. Therefore, through the name of Jesus and the power of His Blood, I bind and break all witchcraft, curses, spells, and powers of darkness working against me. I also cancel every attack of oppression, depression, suppression, perversion, distraction, hindrance, and deception.
5. Father, no evil will befall me, or plague come near my dwelling. No weapon formed against me will prosper because You order Your angels to protect me wherever I go. They will hold me up in their hands so my foot will not hit against a stone. (Psalm 91:11-12)

You give me the desires and secret petitions of my heart because I delight myself in You (Psalm 37:4). I proclaim that You are my provision. I have no lack in my family, my body, or my finances. You supply all my needs according to Your glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).

The fourth prayer watch is always important because it is the last prayer watch of the night. It was during this time the Israelites were delivered from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 12, 14). Moreover, Jesus walked on the water to help His disciples, who were caught in a storm, during the fourth prayer watch (Matthew 14:25–33).

Equally important, the fourth prayer watch is the time that satanic agents, who went out to perform their activities, are returning to their bases. Therefore, this watch is the time to establish the course of your day by speaking God’s Word and breaking everything that would attempt to hinder His will for your life to manifest on the third day (Psalm 19:2).

Command Your Morning

Matthew 24:43 says: “But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.” The fourth prayer watch is a disciplined prayer watch for those who have the power and training to wake up early in the morning and set the atmosphere. In addition, it is the time for all of the enemy’s plans and strategies to fail. Furthermore, the fourth prayer watch is for gaining territory, establishing the spirit of prosperity, and stopping the devil from hijacking blessings and Favor.

Not only this, but the fourth prayer watch sets our day before it begins. It is an opportunity to set things in place before the devil and his demons have a chance to ruin it. Accidents, deaths, thefts, job loss, and any other acts of the devil can be stopped during this watch when intercessors obey the voice of the Lord and fill the morning with powerful prayers.

Time for Declaring God’s Word

This is a time for angelic activity or intervention and a time for blessings from heaven. When we pray, the Lord hears our prayers and sends His angels to work on our behalf.  “Job 22:27-28 says, “You will make your prayer to Him, He will hear you, and you will pay your vows. You will also declare a thing and it will be established for you; so light will shine on your ways.” Therefore, this is an opportune time to consecrate all work for the day and to pray for protection for God’s people.

Prayer Decrees for This Watch

Heavenly Father…

1. I enforce Your plans and purpose for my life over and against the plans and purpose of Satan. Satan, the blood of Jesus is against you. You have no authority over my life. No weapon that is used against me will succeed, and anyone who speaks against me will be proven wrong because my vindication comes from God (Isaiah 54:17).
2. You are my God, the Rock I run to for protection. Moreover, You are my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. Father, You will defeat my enemies. When they come against me, they will scatter before me in seven directions! (Psalm 18:2; Deuteronomy 28:7)
3. You know the plans You have for me. They are plans for my welfare and not for evil, to give me hope and a good future. (Jeremiah 29:11)
4. Today I commit my work to You, and my plans will succeed. Therefore, Your favor rests upon me and makes everything I do successful.  (Psalm 90:17; Proverbs 16:3)
5. Your angels daily surround and defend me because I reverence You. I trust in You and find new strength. Therefore, I can rise up like an eagle in the sky and run and not get tired. I can also walk and not grow weak. (Isaiah 40:31

The fifth prayer watch is a time for building our spiritual and physical strength before the day begins (Acts 2:15; Psalm 2:7-9). The spiritual significance of sunrise is having Jesus Christ, the King of kings and the Lord of lords, rise over us (Malachi 4:2).
During this watch, we should pray for such issues as healing in our bodies, relationships, family, government, and the economy.

Time for the Holy Spirit to prepare us (2 Corinthians 9:30; Ephesians 4:12)

Acts 2:15 says it was the “third hour of the day” (or 9:00 a.m.) when the Holy Spirit descended upon the 120 disciples in the Upper Room (on the day of Pentecost) to equip them for service.

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 and prepare you 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).

Prayer Decrees for This Watch

Heavenly Father…

1. Today I entrust my work to You, and I know my plans will succeed. (Proverbs 16:3).
2. I can do everything You ask me to with the help of Christ, who gives me the strength and power, in Jesus’ Name. (Philippians 4:13)
3. Because I reverence Your Name, Your goodness shines on me like the sun with healing in its rays. (Malachi 4:2)
4. I praise You and never forget how kind You are to me! You forgive all my sins and heal all my sickness. Father, You save me from the grave and surround me with loving-kindness and tender mercies. (Psalm 103:2-4)
5. I release the healing virtue of Jesus Christ into my body. And I curse, at the root, every attack upon my health. Jehovah-Rophe heals me and keeps me in perfect health all the days of my life.
6. I plead the Blood of Jesus against calamities, catastrophes, and any hidden dangers that would try to come against me. Through the blood of Jesus, I have been redeemed out of the hands of the devil.
7. My life is not my own. Therefore, I dedicate my body to You as a living sacrifice—holy and well-pleasing to You. (Romans 12:1)

The sun is at its brightest during the sixth prayer watch. However, while Jesus Christ was dying on the cross, darkness fell across the land until about three in the afternoon (Mark 15:25, Matthew 27:45). This was the darkest period known in human history. However, in spite of this, God’s divine love for mankind shone bright. The blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ redeemed mankind and restored his relationship with God, the Father.

The Apostle Paul says that we should be thankful to God because, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, He “hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins,” (Colossians 1:13, KJV). In light of this, the fifth prayer watch is a time to reflect on the power of the Cross. Because of Christ’s work on the cross, we have direct access to God and His benefits and blessings.

Time to See God’s Promises Fulfilled

It is time for the Word of the Lord to be fulfilled in your life, during this prayer watch. Additionally, this is the time to receive all of the resources needed for every project God has assigned you to fulfill (Exodus 12:35-36). The Israelites used everything that they had to build the Tabernacle in the wilderness (Exodus 25–30; 35–40). Pray for the provisions to accomplish whatever God wants you to do.

Prayer Decrees for This Watch

Heavenly Father…

1. You have gone before me to prepare my way, to make the crooked path straight and the rough places smooth. Father, I entrust my work to You and You cause my plans to succeed, and everything I set my hands to do prospers. (Proverbs 16:3)
2. Father, today I have favor with all who look upon me. Your favor makes a circle around me, enclosing me and covering me like a shield (Psalm 5:12). You will work out Your plans for my life because Your faithful love endures forever (Psalm 138:8).
3. In Jesus’ name, I entrust my work to You this day, and I know my plans will work out well. I can do everything You ask me to with the help of Jesus Christ, Who gives me strength. (Proverbs 16:3; Philippians 4:13)
4. Because I reverence Your Name, Your goodness shines on me like the sun, with healing in its rays. (Malachi 4:2)
5. I praise You and never forget how kind You are to me! You forgive all my sins and heal all my sickness. You save me from the grave and surround me with Your loving-kindness and tender mercies. (Psalm 103:2-4)

The seventh prayer watch begins at noon. Historically, Christ was on the cross during this time, atoning for the sins of the world. God’s redemption and restoration for mankind were manifested through His Son. It was also during this time that Peter received the vision of the clean and unclean animals. This initiated the inclusion of the Gentiles in God’s redemptive plan. Also, it was during this watch that Daniel always went home to pray.

Midday is an hour of rest and a time to seek the Lord. Additionally, it is the time in which the promises of God are released, foundations are shaken, and we exercise our God-given dominion.

Time of the Secret Place of the Most High (Psalm 91:1)

During this prayer watch, it is very important to pray in line with Acts 10:9 and Psalm 91:5, 6, 14. This is the time to pray to dwell in the secret place of the Most High, abide under the shadow of the Almighty, and make the Most High your habitation. Pray and cut off all satanic arrows that are released at this time so that they will not get you or your family.

Time of Letting Your Light Shine Brighter until the Full Light of Day is Attained (Prov. 4:18)

The midday is the beginning of the sixth hour (12:00 P.M.). Moreover, it is the time when the sun is at its fullest and brightest. Therefore, pray that your life will be bright. Furthermore, this is the time to pray not to be led into any temptation, trap, or snare of the enemy.

Prayer Decrees for this watch

1. My good deeds shine for all to see, so everyone will praise You. (Matthews 5:16)
2. I have peace with God through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Therefore, I can enter into the rest He has provided for me.
3. God has called me to testify of Jesus Christ to those whom the Holy Spirit leads me.
4. God is above all gods. He alone is my refuge and place of safety. The Lord is my God, and I trust Him.
5. I go to God for safety, and He protects me. He alone is my refuge and place of safety; He is my God, and I am trusting in Him.
6. God rescues me from every trap and protects me from deadly diseases. He shields me with His wings! They shelter me. His faithful promises are my armour. Therefore, no evil will befall me, and no disaster will come to my home. God has put His angels in charge of me to watch over me wherever I go. They will catch me up in their hands so that I will not hit my foot on a rock.

The eighth prayer watch is the hour of rejoicing in the power of the Cross. During this prayer watch, Christ willingly became a sin offering. Moreover, He shed His blood for the sins of the world so that all mankind would be reconciled with God, the Father (Colossians 1:20).

Moreover, those who accept Jesus Christ’s sacrifice can now live a triumphant life through Him and are allowed to come boldly before the throne of God, the Father (Hebrews 4:16). To come ‘boldly” means that we can freely speak to God about all that is on our hearts and receive His mercy for our situation.

Time to Change or Shape History

Jesus died on the Cross (3:00 P.M) during the eighth prayer watch. Moreover, He went through six hours of torture and suffering for the deliverance of mankind and the world.  History was changed forever when Christ died. Because of His death, Jesus became our Blood Covenant with God and triumphed over hell, death, and the grave. After His resurrection, Jesus Christ gave us the power to experience the same victory as He did. Therefore, pray for deliverance during this watch and rejoice that the Blood of Jesus cleanses you from all sin (1 John 1:7).

Prayer Decrees for This Watch

Heavenly Father…

1. I have been crucified with Christ, and I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)
2. I give myself completely to You. I am a tool in Your hands to be used for Your good purposes.
3. You have created me, in Christ Jesus, to live a life filled with good works that You have enabled me to do by the power of Your Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 2:10)
4. The good work You began in me will continue until You complete it on the day when Jesus Christ comes again. (Philippians 1:6)
5. I am grateful that You always lead me in victory through Christ. And through me, You spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere like perfume.
   (2 Corinthians 2:14)