This is hymn 55 of the Open Heavens daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
HYMN 55: CHRISTIAN, SEEK NOT YET REPOSE
1. Christian, Seek Not Yet Repose;
Hear Thy Guardian Angel Say,
“Thou Art In The Midst Of Foes:
Watch And Pray!”
2. Principalities And Powers,
Mustering Their Unseen Array,
Wait For Thy Unguarded Hours:
“Watch And Pray.”
3. Gird Thy Heavenly Armour On;
Wear It Every Night And Day
Ambush’d Lies The Evil One:
“Watch And Pray.”
4. Hear The Victors Who O’ercame;
Still They Mark Each Warrior’s Way;
All With One Sweet Voice Exclaim,
“Watch And Pray!”
5. Hear, Above All, Hear Thy Lord,
Him Thou Lovest To Obey;
Hide Within Thy Heart His Word:
“Watch And Pra!.”
6. Watch, As If On That Alone
Hung The Issue Of The Day;
Pray, That Help May Be Sent Down:
Watch And Pray.
CHRISTIAN, SEEK NOT YET REPOSE HYMN COMMENTARY
Beloved in Christ, this hymn serves as a stark and urgent wake-up call to the Church militant. “Christian, Seek Not Yet Repose” dispels any notion that the Christian life is one of casual comfort or passive peace on this side of eternity. It is a hymn of spiritual alertness, a sober reminder from Scripture, angels, saints, and Christ Himself that we are in a contested zone, engaged in a daily conflict that demands constant vigilance and dependent prayer.
Why Sing This Hymn
We sing this hymn to shake off spiritual slumber and complacency. It is a call to arms, reminding us of the reality of unseen spiritual warfare, the necessity of God’s armor, and the non-negotiable disciplines of watchfulness and prayer. It is a hymn for the soldier, not the sleeper.
1. It is a Hymn of Angelic Warning (Verse 1)
The hymn begins with a direct command from a heavenly perspective. Our “Guardian Angel”—a ministering spirit concerned with our welfare—issues a warning against seeking premature rest (“repose”). The reason is immediate and positional: “Thou art in the midst of foes.” This is not future tense; it is our present reality. The prescribed action is twofold and inseparable: “Watch and pray!” We are to be spiritually alert and spiritually dependent.
2. It is a Hymn of Unseen Enemies (Verse 2)
The nature of our foes is revealed. They are not merely human or circumstantial, but “Principalities and Powers”—high-ranking, organized spiritual forces of darkness (Ephesians 6:12). They operate as an “unseen array,” a military host waiting for our “unguarded hours.” Their strategy is not frontal assault, but to exploit our moments of spiritual carelessness, distraction, or fatigue. The defense remains the same: vigilant watchfulness and fervent prayer.
3. It is a Hymn of Essential Armor (Verse 3)
Given this enemy, we are not left defenseless, but we must actively equip ourselves. The command is to “Gird thy heavenly armour on,” and to wear it “every night and day.” This is not Sunday attire, but constant spiritual equipment (Ephesians 6:13-18). The urgency is because “Ambush’d lies the evil one.” Satan is not a distant legend; he is a prowling, strategic adversary (1 Peter 5:8). Our survival depends on being fully armed and spiritually awake.
4. It is a Hymn of Victorious Testimony (Verse 4)
We are not the first to fight this battle. The “Victors who o’ercame”—the great cloud of witnesses who have gone before us—still observe our fight. From the vantage point of heaven, they know the cost and the strategy. With one voice, they echo the angel’s cry, confirming its timeless truth: “Watch and pray!” Their testimony validates the path to victory.
5. It is a Hymn of Supreme Command (Verse 5)
Above the angel’s warning and the saints’ testimony stands the command of our Lord Himself, “Him thou lovest to obey.” His word is not just to be heard, but hidden “within thy heart” (Psalm 119:11). It is our sword and our guide. To love Christ is to obey His command to be vigilant and prayerful.
6. It is a Hymn of Ultimate Priority (Verse 6)
The final verse intensifies the call, framing our watchfulness and prayer with ultimate seriousness. We are to watch “as if on that alone hung the issue of the day.” Our spiritual alertness is that critical. We are to pray because our help is not from within, but from above: “that help may be sent down.” Our victory hinges on our dependent connection to divine reinforcement.
A Word for Your Spirit Today
Have you grown spiritually drowsy? Have you laid aside your armor, thinking the battle is distant or won? This hymn sounds the alarm.
You are in the midst of foes. Your unguarded moments are targeted. Do not seek false repose. Today, consciously gird on the full armor of God through prayer. Hide His Word in your heart. Adopt the posture of a watchman on the walls and a supplicant at the throne.
Listen to the angel, the saints, and above all, your Lord: “Watch and pray.” The issue of your day—your peace, your purity, your testimony—does indeed hang upon it. Be sober, be vigilant, and pray without ceasing.
The battle is real. The command is clear. The victory is promised to those who watch and pray.
In the mighty name of Jesus, our Captain and Intercessor, Amen.
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