It had been a particularly busy day. My “to do” list had been extremely long and as I pulled down the covers for some much needed sleep, items remained.  

My thoughts migrated to a couple of things I try to do every day; post “relationship wisdom” and “today’s funny” on social media.   started doing this a number of years ago. Instead of debating politics and trying to solve world problems, I decided to make people laugh and share simple relationship truths. I feel it is a relevant contribution to the daily social media barrage we cope with. 

As I set my alarm, I noticed my clock signaled 12:01 a.m. and the next day and date. Humm…a new day had begun.  All of my life I had assumed my new day began at sunrise. I knew technically  it started just after midnight but for all practical purposes and for conversation sake, it was the daylight hours that started my new day. I quickly posted the memes and turned out the lights, smiling because I had just checked off “to do” items for the next day. My mind wanted to think about my new revelation, but my body wanted sleep. 

Every new day begins in darkness, quietness, and rest. That is a different picture than the hustle and bustle of work and school prep from sunrise until around nine in the morning. What does God want from me during those six hours of darkness and quiet from midnight until 6 a.m.? What does the Bible say about this time period and does what I do during these hours effect the rest of my day?  

There are four night watches discussed in the Bible, three observed by the Hebrews and the fourth added by the Romans. First watch is a time to pray and silence all voices of the previous day. It begins a period of trust.  In the darkness the eye cannot distinguish colors and clear visibility and human response is limited. We should begin each new day with prayer and declaration of our forgiveness and our trust in God. Traditionally, a guard would stand watch while others slept. He would sound the alarm if danger approached.  He was the protector of the new day. God and his Spirit are the protectors of our new day!

According to the article, Significance of the 4th Watch, “There is strategic significance in praying during the early morning hours. Though many are called to different times of the day or night to pray, prayer/worship during these hours are highly effectual in harnessing God’s transforming power. The fourth watch is defined by the Roman watch as a time spanning from 3-6 a.m. Biblically, these strategic events take place particularly during the night and early morning.

• Jacob wrestled with God and met Him face to face just before entering into his destiny as Israel. Genesis 32:22-31  

• Moses led the Israelites across the Red Sea Exodus 14:25-26

• Gideon defeated the Midianites (middle watch), Judges 7:19-24

• Peter and Jesus walk on water, Matthew 14:25-26

• The angels appear to the shepherds in the field to announce the birth of the savior.  Luke 2:8-14

• Jesus is resurrected from the dead, Matthew 28:1

• The bridegroom wooes His bride in the night hours, Song of Solomon, Matthew 25:1-13

The Hebrew watch was divided into three watches, the first, middle and morning watch. As the Roman influence and supremacy was established, the number of watches increased to four and were described in numerical order 1st (6-9 p.m.); 2nd (9 p.m.-12 a.m.); 3rd (12-3 a.m.); 4th (3-6 a.m.).   

During the 4th watch, there are significant power encounters that make way for the Kingdom of God to penetrate the earth. Such prayers are highly protective and effectual particularly when linked with other watchmen.”

God is the watchman of each new day! Our interaction with him through prayer in the early morning hours can make a monumental difference in the daylight hours of our day and our preparedness for his second coming.  Consider Luke 12:35-40 NKJV, “Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat and will come and serve them. And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore, you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

If you wake during the night, pray and practice the presence of the Lord.  Great things will happen!