The Ministry of the Watchman
The Ministry of the Watchman began in 1990 as a prophetic teaching and intercessory prayer ministry. It began with the vision of Barbara Williams, who felt a strong desire to teach and train people who would be skilled in warfare according to the Biblical functions of the watchman.
The Ministry of the watchman is a function of the school of the prophets (company of prophets) that was developed during the ministry of the Prophet Samuel. (1 Samuel 10:5). The prophet was one who had revelation, (visions, dreams, prophecy) who interceded (stood in the gap, made up a hedge) protected the people (warfare strategy, executing the word of the Lord), taught other prophets, anointed leaders, provided counsel to warriors concerning divine strategy, as well as prophesying the word of God according to the revelations that he received from God.
Knowing the need in the world for prayer, Barbara obeyed the call of God to develop the ministry into a format that is easily taught to all believers. Responding to the word in Habakkuk 2:2 to write the vision down and make it plain upon tables that he who sees it may run with it, she developed the prayer manuals that are used internationally by watchmen. These manuals contain prophetic prayers that declare the word of God to principalities and powers that keep souls in bondage.
The commitment to a consistent watch versus non-structured prayer was received according to the command in Habakkuk 2:1 to stand upon my watch, see what the Lord is speaking, and be accountable for this watch when God calls for an answer.
This ministry is also a training area for ministry gifts (school of prophets), as the believer’s ministry is taught and practiced according to Mark 16:17-18. Believers are taught to move in the power of the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit are in operation as the Spirit wills. Believers are taught to be sensitive to and obey the voice and the leading of the Spirit of God.
The watchman prays prayers that affect the cities in which they pray. The prayers are primarily aimed at “declaring unto the principalities and powers the manifold wisdom of God.” The prayers are prophetic in that they declare what is to come. Our vision is to see a great outpouring of the Spirit of God that will release souls to be won into the Kingdom of God. Our vision is to occupy until the Lord comes, and see the whole earth filled with the knowledge of His glory as the waters cover the seas. (Habakkuk 2:14)
It is toward this end, and this end alone that we pray. We receive the vision directly from the word of God and as prophetic people are sensitive to His timing in these things.
We believe the coming decade to be crucial for the placement of ministry in the earth, and are working to see that Godly watches are strategically placed so that the builders in the body of Christ will be like Nehemiah, who set a watch over the work that God had given him, so that it was not destroyed by the enemy as quickly as it was set up. We are people who have a “mind to work.” (Nehemiah 4:6)
We also have a vision for liberty among the people of God to move in the power of God to win souls. We believe that the heathen are our inheritance, and we ask God for souls. We fight the powers that oppose us and spoil them of their prey (the souls of men), so we oppose enemies like drug, prostitution, crimes against children and the elderly, as well as pray prayers that increase and edify the body of Christ.
We share our ministry with others through our newsletters, website, social media, and through the published word in books, prayer manuals, teaching CDs, DVDs, as well as podcasts, live-stream events.
Our aim is to encourage and strengthen the body of Christ through teaching, testimony and news pertinent to the Ministry of the Watchman.
We invite you to join us at our local meeting in your area, or contact us for our newsletter, prayer manuals, or for information on establishing a chapter in your area.
The Ministry of the Watchman, Intl.
1-800-560-9240
[email protected]
P.O. Box 43334 – Cleveland, Ohio 44143