Every young boy dreams of being a knight in shining armor protecting his castle—fighting off a vicious enemy’s onslaught coming to hurt and harm. Movies through the years have helped portray the stoic watchmen walking the wall and protecting their kingdom. Their keen and alert eyes are of utmost importance to those who live behind the walls trusting the watchman’s protection. A soldier must be loyal, alert and ready to lay down his life defending those who live in their community.

In the movie A Few Good Men, Demi Moore played a military attorney who defends two marines accused of killing a fellow soldier. After being asked, “Why do you love them so much?” she answers, “Because they stand on a wall and they say, ‘Nothing is going to happen to you. Not tonight; not on my watch.” That is how we should view the call of intercession. We stand on the wall and keep watch for the enemy’s attack, saying, “Nothing is going to happen to our families or the church on my watch.” We must stand on the wall of intercession for our generation.

God has placed different ones in key positions to stand watch with keen eyes of the Spirit. In Isaiah 62:6-7 the Word of the Lord says, “I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; They shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the Lord, do not keep silent”.

God has placed watchmen on the walls of His church, men and women to watch and cry out day and night. God has called them to knock on the door of Heaven continually. This word watchman refers to guarding and protecting as a hedge of thorns might keep the enemy away.

The Gospel of Mark says it like this, “Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is,” (Mk. 13:33-37). Every believer is called to be alert, standing on the walls of the church and guarding His kingdom.

Picture with me the Great Wall of China. Built thousands of years ago it has outlived warlords, dynasties and changing opinions. It spans over 5,000 miles and proceeds through mountains, grasslands and deserts. For centuries, it has kept out those who wanted to come against the kingdoms of ancient China. Today this magnificent monument stands as a great historical wonder but is empty of any significance. The kingdoms and territories that it once protected have long been defeated and plundered. All across Europe and even America there are incredible buildings, markers of great moves of God, now only empty religious relics. The body of Christ has built walls and stood watch over the many years of history, but at times the watchmen have been distracted, slack and weak. Isaiah 56:10 says, “His watchmen are blind, They are all ignorant; …Sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.”

Unfortunately, those who once were energetic and zealous have become spiritually blind and ignorant of the coming danger. So many believers have chosen to shut their eyes or stop up their ears. The prophet Jeremiah spoke the word of the Lord, “Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’ But they said, ‘We will not listen,’” (Jer. 6:17). The watchman has the weight of responsibility on his shoulders to warn the people. Whether through an act of ignorance or rebellion, we will be found guilty if we do not warn God’s people of the danger at hand. It’s time to get back on the wall!