Text: Deuteronomy 20; Matthew 14

The third watch of the night begins at midnight. It is the night’s darkest both physically and spiritually. It is the watch where true spiritual warfare is waged. Thus, the heart of the fast’s third watch will be spiritual warfare—doing battle through prayer in the heavens.

Prerequisite to this battle is the proper attire, the spiritual armor spoken of by the Apostle Paul. Review Ephesians 6 and get dressed for battle: The Scripture readings these past three weeks have added to the belt of truth, sinch it tightly around your waist; your breastplate of righteousness has been refitted through repentance, its dents, scratches, and sporadic holes covered and restored by the blood of the Lamb; your shoes prepared with a renewed desire to share the good news; your shield of faith enlarged by the reading of the Word; your helmet firmly in place with each thought being captive to Christ; and your sword sharpened by twenty days in forger.

Get prepared for battle, be not afraid and remember the words of our Lord: “When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt” (Deuteronomy 20:1 KJV).