Join our Prayer Vigil on November 3-4!
"Vigil" evokes powerful imagery - from late-night prayer to soldiers standing guard, even families eagerly awaiting a birth. Derived from the Latin word "vigilia" for a soldier's night watch, early Christians adopted it for their nighttime worship gatherings. In the New Testament under Roman rule, the night was divided into four watches:
• First watch: Evening (sunset to 9pm)
• Second watch: Midnight (9pm to midnight)
• Third watch: Rooster crowing (midnight to 3am)
• Fourth watch: Morning (3am to 6am)
Mark 13:35-37 reminds us: "Therefore keep watch... at evening (first watch), at midnight (second watch), when the rooster crows (third watch), or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”
Jesus emphasized the importance of vigilance and prayer, as seen in the Garden of Gethsemane. He urged His disciples to "watch and pray" to avoid succumbing to temptation, recognizing their willing spirits but weak physical strength. On the 3rd and 4th of November we’ll be keeping the second and third watches of the night.
Sign up sheets will be made available next Sunday.
Comments