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VERSES FOR VIGILS
Think about all the incredible things that happen in the Bible just before dawn. The Holy Spirit made sure those powerful moments were recorded so we could learn about the intense spiritual battles fought during those quiet hours. God's trying to get our attention, showing us that praying at night, especially in the wee hours of the morning, is different, special. The Word tells us to pay attention to what the Spirit is revealing to us.
Ephesians 6:181 talks about "praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints." A vigil, staying awake all or part of the night, was a way to keep watch, like a sentinel standing guard. But it also reminds us to stay spiritually alert, awake to the darkness around us in the world.
When you're going through a tough time, those late-night hours can be a powerful time to seek God's comfort. Lamentations 2:192 says, "Arise, cry out in the night, at the beginning of the watches; Pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord. Lift your hands toward Him..."
Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Be of sober spirit, be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
But keep on the alert at all times, praying earnestly that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
My soul waits for the Lord More than the watchmen for the morning, The watchmen for the morning.
And do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed.
Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find awake when he comes; truly I say to you, that he will gird himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and will come up and wait on them.
The voice of Your watchmen! They lift up their voices; They shout joyfully together; For they will see with their own eyes When Yahweh returns to Zion.
Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
I have set Yahweh continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Obey your leaders and submit to them—for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account—so that they will do this with joy and not with groaning, for this would be unprofitable for you.
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.
Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; Set me securely on high away from those who rise up against me.
His watchmen are blind; All of them know nothing. All of them are mute dogs unable to bark, Dreamers lying down, who love to slumber;
¶Be still in Yahweh and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out schemes of wickedness.
For the anxious longing of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.
But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He is manifested, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.
Whether he comes in the second watch, or even in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.
See to it brothers, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
“How blessed is the man who hears me, To watch daily at my doors, To keep watch at my doorposts.
For You, Lord, are good, and by nature forgiving, And abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You.
Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.”
and said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise up and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
Do all things without grumbling or disputing, so that you will be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to boast because I did not run in vain nor labor in vain.
I will set no vile thing before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me.
Awake, awake, Clothe yourself in your strength, O Zion; Clothe yourself in your glorious garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city; For the uncircumcised and the unclean Will no longer come into you.
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and does them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain descended, and the rivers came, and the winds blew and fell against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.
And I beheld, I set my heart upon it; I saw, I received discipline. “A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest,” Then your poverty will come as a robber And your want like an armed man.
The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be of sound thinking and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.
And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart,
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Surely my soul waits in silence for God; From Him is my salvation. Do not trust in oppression And do not put vain hope in robbery; If riches increase, do not set your heart upon them. ¶Once God has spoken; Twice I have heard this: That strength belongs to God; And that to You, O Lord, belongs lovingkindness, For You repay a man according to his work. Surely He is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken.
“Then the kingdom of heaven may be compared to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. And later the other virgins also *came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.’ But he answered and said, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’ Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know the day nor the hour. “For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and handed over his possessions to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents. In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more. But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. “Now after a long time the master of those slaves *came and *settled accounts with them. Now five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. And the one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed five talents over to me. See, I have gained five more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ “Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, ‘Master, you handed two talents over to me. See, I have gained two more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ “And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’ “But his master answered and said to him, ‘You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed. Therefore, you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’ “For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them,
“Call out from your throat, do not hold back; Raise your voice like a trumpet, And declare to My people their transgression And to the house of Jacob their sins.
Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.
But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.
who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.
How blessed are those whose way is blameless, Who walk in the law of Yahweh. With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me stray from Your commandments. I perceive more than the aged, Because I have observed Your precepts. I have restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Your word. I have not turned aside from Your judgments, For You Yourself have taught me. How sweet is Your word to my taste! Sweeter than honey to my mouth! From Your precepts I get perception; Therefore I hate every false way. ¶Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. I have sworn and I have confirmed, To keep Your righteous judgments. I am exceedingly afflicted; O Yahweh, revive me according to Your word. Oh be pleased with the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Yahweh, And teach me Your judgments. My soul is continually in my hand, Yet I do not forget Your law. Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You. The wicked have laid a snare for me, Yet I have not wandered from Your precepts. I have inherited Your testimonies forever, For they are the joy of my heart. I have inclined my heart to do Your statutes Forever, to the end. ¶I hate those who are double-minded, But I love Your law. You are my hiding place and my shield; I wait for Your word. Depart from me, evildoers, That I may observe the commandments of my God. Sustain me according to Your word, that I may live; And do not put me to shame because of my hope. Uphold me that I may be saved, That I may have regard for Your statutes continually. You have rejected all those who stray from Your statutes, For their deceitfulness is a lie. You remove all the wicked of the earth like dross; Therefore I love Your testimonies. Blessed are You, O Yahweh; Teach me Your statutes. My flesh quakes for dread of You, And I am afraid of Your judgments. ¶I have done justice and righteousness; Do not leave me to my oppressors. Be for Your slave a guarantee for good; Do not let the arrogant oppress me. My eyes fail with longing for Your salvation And for Your righteous word. Deal with Your slave according to Your lovingkindness And teach me Your statutes. I am Your slave; give me understanding, That I may know Your testimonies. It is time for Yahweh to act, For they have broken Your law. Therefore I love Your commandments Above gold, even above fine gold. Therefore I deem all Your precepts concerning everything to be right, I hate every false way. ¶Your testimonies are wonderful; Therefore my soul observes them. With my lips I have recounted All the judgments of Your mouth. The unfolding of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple. I opened my mouth wide and panted, For I longed for Your commandments. Turn to me and be gracious to me, According to Your judgment for those who love Your name. Establish my steps in Your word, And do not let any wickedness overpower me. Redeem me from the oppression of man, That I may keep Your precepts. Make Your face shine upon Your slave, And teach me Your statutes. My eyes shed streams of water, Because they do not keep Your law. ¶Righteous are You, O Yahweh, And upright are Your judgments. In righteousness, You have commanded Your testimonies And in exceeding faithfulness. My zeal has consumed me, Because my adversaries have forgotten Your words. I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches. Your word is exceedingly refined, Therefore Your slave loves it. I am small and despised, Yet I do not forget Your precepts. Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And Your law is truth. Trouble and anguish have found me, Yet Your commandments are my delight. Righteous are Your testimonies forever; Give me understanding that I may live. ¶I called with all my heart; answer me, O Yahweh! I will observe Your statutes. I called to You; save me And I shall keep Your testimonies. I eagerly greet the dawn and cry for help; I wait for Your words. My eyes eagerly greet the night watches, That I may muse on Your word. Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness; O Yahweh, revive me, according to Your judgments. I will muse upon Your precepts And look upon Your ways. Near are those who pursue wickedness; They are far from Your law. Near are You, O Yahweh, And all Your commandments are truth. Of old I have known from Your testimonies That You have founded them forever. ¶See my affliction and rescue me, For I do not forget Your law. Plead my cause and redeem me; Revive me according to Your word. Salvation is far from the wicked, For they do not seek Your statutes. Many are Your compassions, O Yahweh; Revive me according to Your judgments. Many are my persecutors and my adversaries, Yet I do not turn aside from Your testimonies. I see the treacherous and loathe them, Those who do not keep Your word. See how I love Your precepts; O Yahweh, revive me according to Your lovingkindness. I shall delight in Your statutes; I shall not forget Your word. The sum of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments is everlasting. ¶Princes persecute me without cause, But my heart is in dread of Your words. I rejoice at Your word, As one who finds much spoil. I hate and abhor lying, But I love Your law. Seven times a day I praise You, Because of Your righteous judgments. Those who love Your law have much peace, And nothing causes them to stumble. I hope for Your salvation, O Yahweh, And I do Your commandments. My soul keeps Your testimonies, And I love them exceedingly. I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies, For all my ways are before You. ¶Let my cry of lamentation come near before You, O Yahweh; Give me understanding according to Your word. ¶Deal bountifully with Your slave, That I may live and keep Your word. Let my supplication come before You; Deliver me according to Your word. Let my lips pour forth praise, For You teach me Your statutes. Let my tongue answer with Your word, For all Your commandments are righteous. Let Your hand be ready to help me, For I have chosen Your precepts. I long for Your salvation, O Yahweh, And Your law is my delight. Let my soul live that it may praise You, And let Your judgments help me. I have wandered off like a lost sheep; search for Your slave, For I have not forgotten Your commandments. Open my eyes, that I may behold Wonderful things from Your law. I am a sojourner in the earth; Do not hide Your commandments from me. How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, They seek Him with all their heart.
Let your eyes look directly ahead And even let your eyelids be fixed straight in front of you. Watch the track of your feet And all your ways will be established. Do not turn to the right nor to the left; Turn your foot from evil.
And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.
¶But as for me, O Yahweh, I have cried out to You for help, And in the morning my prayer comes before You.
Then He *said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.”
And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who draws near to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
“But be on guard, so that your hearts will not be overcome with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap; for it will come upon all those who inhabit the face of all the earth. But keep on the alert at all times, praying earnestly that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
¶Surely wait in silence for God, O my soul, For my hope is from Him. Surely He is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be shaken.
O Yahweh, in the morning, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch.
Therefore, having girded your minds for action, being sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Now I urge you, brothers, to keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and stumblings contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own stomach, and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.
“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes or figs from thistles?
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, laying aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our benefit, so that we may share His holiness. And all discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful, but to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed. Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord, seeing to it that no one falls short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; that also there be no sexually immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal. For you know that even afterwards, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears. For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, and to the blast of a trumpet and the sound of words which was such that those who heard begged that no further word be spoken to them. fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers.
He gives power to the weary, And to him who lacks vigor He increases might. ¶A voice is calling, “Prepare the way for Yahweh in the wilderness; Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God. Though youths grow weary and tired, And choice young men stumble badly, Yet those who hope in Yahweh Will gain new power; They will mount up with wings like eagles; They will run and not get tired; They will walk and not become weary.
See how great a love the Father has given to us, that we would be called children of God; and we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; In You I hope all the day.
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is dignified, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, consider these things.
Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and make manifest the motives of hearts. And then each one’s praise will come to him from God.
These all with one accord were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and His brothers.
“Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven.
Therefore, comfort one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.
Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.
praying at all times with all prayer and petition in the Spirit, and to this end, being on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,
Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
First of all, then, I exhort that petitions and prayers, requests and thanksgivings, be made for all men,
praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been bound,
And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers.