Watchfulness: Recovering a Lost Spiritual Discipline

by Brian G. Hedges, Donald S. Whitney (Foreword)

Are you watchful in your Christian life? Although watchfulness is not as familiar as spiritual disciplines like meditation, prayer, and fasting, it is just as necessary for a healthy spiritual life. Scripture exhorts all Christians to be watchful, regardless of their station and season in life. In Watchfulness, Brian Hedges provides a fresh look at the what, why, how, when, and who of watchfulness, drawing principles from Scripture and instruction from believers of the past who have understood this discipline and written about it. Designed for reflection, self-examination, and personal application, with "Examine and Apply" questions at the end of each chapter, this book will chart your course toward greater watchfulness, increased holiness, and deeper communion with the triune God.

Genres: Theology, Christian Living, Christian, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Christianity, Audiobook

166 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 8, 2018

About the author

Brian G. Hedges is the Lead Pastor of Redeemer Church in Niles, Michigan and the author of multiple books including Christ Formed in You, Christ All Sufficient, Watchfulness: Recovering a Lost Spiritual Discipline, and With Jesus: Finding Your Place in the Story of Christ.

Reviews

[Brian]

I suppose it seems strange for an author to read or review his own book. I won’t venture to give it a rating! Suffice to say, that I return to this book because it is essentially a digest of what I have learned from the Puritans on the topic of watchfulness. I don’t think I will ever outgrow my need to watch my heart. That’s why I re-read my own book.

[Becky Pliego · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic. Friends, this is a must read. I cannot recommend it enough. The author relies heavily on the writings of John Owen, and other authors like Flavel, Watson, and Mc.Cheyene.

[Rafael Salazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

The single best resource on spiritual growth I've ever encountered. I listened to it on audio and two thirds into it I decided to order my physical copy. This is a convicting, powerful, timely book for Christians who love the Lord. Obeying Jesus' command to watch and pray is our only hope of finishing this race well.

In sum, you need to read it.

[Ivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent treatment of an overlooked spiritual discipline. I needed this reminder to “watch” as well as “pray.”

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding book! I definitely will be purchasing a physical copy to reread this in the future. I also think this would make a great small group read for discussion.

[Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has now entered into my list of recommended reads. It’s usually the smallest books that have the most impact and cause the reader to ponder after reading one paragraph. I will definitely return and return again to this book. Too many highlights to count. Convicting, encouraging, and practical.

The final reminder from Bunyan’s Holy War summarized the importance of watchfulness: Emmanuel’s charge to Mansoul “Remember, therefore, O my Mansoul, that thou art beloved of me; as I have therefore taught thee to watch, to fight, to pray, and to make war against my foes, so now I command thee to believe that my love is constant to thee. O my Mansoul, how have I set my heart, my love upon thee! Watch! Behold, I lay none other burden upon thee than what thou hast already. Hold fast till I come!”

[Kaitlyn S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book on a whim at a conference last year. It looked interesting . . . I had read a few of the puritans on the spiritual necessity of watchfulness, but I hadn't seen a book written for *my* generation about this much needed, oft neglected, spiritual discipline.

I would highly, HIGHLY, recommend this book, ya'll. It was a rather quick read, fairly easy to understand, but chocked full of theological basis for cultivating this art of watchfulness. There were multiple passages quoted from some beloved and well-known puritan theologians (Flavel and Owens, to name two), and there was actually practical advise as to how we can implement, cultivate, and pursue watchfulness (ever notice how the practicality of some books is just missing? You know, do this, because it's right, but I'm not going to tell you how . . . ).

A five star read, that will definitely be coming off my shelves again!

[Wilson Porte Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Que livro maravilhoso. Há poucos livros sobre vigilância escritos e este é uma verdadeira pérola. Brian Hedges passeia pelos puritanos e por autores contemporâneos mostrando como o exercício do "vigiar" é uma marca do verdadeiro cristão, e como devemos por em prática esta marca em obediência à palavra de Jesus sobre vigiar e orar. Impactado pela leitura. Sem vigilância, estamos entregues à Satanás, à nossa carne e ao mundo. Sem vigilância, estamos entregues à queda o tempo todo, sendo feitos de brinquedos nas mãos de nosso inimigo. Sem vigilância, nunca saberemos o que é crescer em graça diante do Senhor. Este livro me ensinou muito sobre vigiar e orar.

[Elliot H · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great introduction to the Puritan art of watchfulness (and the Puritans got it from Scripture). The author pulls mainly from John Owen, Robert Murray McCheyne, and John Bunyan but he certainly cites others throughout the book. Every chapter was extremely insightful and practical. Peyton said this and I agree with him, “reading this book has made me realize I just need to go read the Puritans”

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful little book on an oft neglected spiritual discipline. Peppered with quotes from the Puritans, this book would make an excellent study for small groups or individuals

[Mikey Roman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another one that I’d recommend every Christian get their hands on and read. Heeding the instruction of this book can change your walk entirely.
This is gonna be on my reread regularly list.

[Jeffrey McDowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much needed. Challenging and convicting.

[Ben Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most helpful books I’ve read on the Christian life. It gives you a glimpse especially at how Puritans understood the Christian life, and it gives you so many of them at their very best!

[Syd Sawyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a gift for the believer! This book is so helpful in how it speaks about what it means to be watchful, and why that’s important for sanctification. And how God does the work there- He keeps us!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t have words for how much I loved this book. It’s so very needed and Hedges did a wonderful job writing it. It’s very simple, organized, and filled with glorious encouragement and firm warnings. I will reread this one again and again. Top five Christian nonfiction for sure. I could quote the whole thing but I love how he finished the last chapter on watchfulness in the church:

“…you need the church. Watchfulness is not like playing solitaire. Though watching is a discipline, it is not a solo sport. We cannot effectively watch ourselves without others. We need pastors who watch for our souls. We need brothers and sisters to exhort and admonish us to keep our eves on Jesus, to sir us from spiritual drowsiness through godly conversation. We need companions on our pilgrimage to heaven. We need spiritual friendship.”

[Chrys Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book on the important task of guarding our hearts. It’s both biblical and rich with quotes from devotional giants such as John Flavel, John Owen, Mcheyne and others. Get it, Mark it up, study it, discuss it, and apply it. This is one of those that you read every year or two.

[Jonathan Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

The research for this book alone deserves five stars!! What a thorough book. And an important topic! Highly recommended

[Arthur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Que alegria ler este livro, com certeza um dos melhores livros que já li, muito prático com compilações de ótimos pregadores do passado (Flavel, Spurgeon, M’Cheyne, Owen, Bunyan) sobre um dos temas menos falados sem dúvida em nossas igrejas a vigilância do cristão.

Esta obra nos ensina o que é de fato ser vigilante.
Necessitamos ser muito cuidadosos, atentos, sempre em alerta, observando os perigosos em nossa volta e dentro de nós, examinando nossos comportamentos nossos pensamentos ou seja nosso coração. “Sobre tudo o que se deve guardar, guarda o coração” Provérbios 4:23

Essa vigilância não é simplesmente um cuidado ocasional ou passageiro mas deve ser considerada com persistência em toda nossa caminhada.
Não tiramos férias de orar e vigiar. “Vigiai, pois, a todo tempo, orando” Lucas 21:36

Mas ser vigilante contra o quê?
Contra o pecado, o mundo e o diabo.

O inimigo das nossas almas quer nos tragar como um leão. “Sede sóbrios e vigilantes. O diabo, vosso adversário, anda em derredor, como leão que ruge procurando alguém para devorar” 1 Pedro 5:8

Talvez um dos melhores conselhos que recebi do livro está abaixo.

“Godly conversation with other believers is one of the most important strategies for keeping a wakeful, watching heart” provavelmente uns dos exercícios espirituais menos desenvolvidos em um cenário de pandemia, nós não somos eficientemente vigilantes sem o outro, precisamos de pastores observando nossas almas, precisamos de amigos e irmãos para nos exortar, aconselhar e manter nossos olhos em Jesus, nos movimentar da sequidão espiritual através de boas conversas, precisamos de companhias em nossa peregrinação aos céus.

Um dos indicadores que estamos cada vez mais cheios do Espírito Santo: estamos meditando mais nas Escrituras, temos orado mais, temos mais comunhão e portanto somos mais vigilantes.

Que Deus nos abençoe nessa maratona não olhando nossos pés mas com nossos olhares fixos em nosso Salvador Cristo Jesus.

[Gabriel Magill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book on a spiritual discipline that is not given enough attention in modern Christian writing! This book is a summary and practical application of a number of Puritan writings on the subject of watchfulness. While this topic could lend itself to legalism very easily, Hedges does a great job pointing the reader to Christ and their need for grace in order to accomplish the hard work of watchfulness. I think this discipline becomes only more relevant with modern times as we are bombarded with images and ideas even in our own homes through the accessibility of technology. I would highly recommend this book to any Christian who is seeking to grow in their Christian walk.

[Bri Rainey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this densely theological yet practical book over the summer with the women of my church. It’s one of the best Christian living books I’ve ever read. Watchfulness is terribly overlooked as a spiritual discipline and I learned so much as I was deeply challenged.
Hedges pulls from great puritans and preachers of the Faith, often criminally discarded in our day! A lot of references to Pilgrims Progress by Bunyan.
I just loved every word of this book. Highly recommend, especially to someone who may lean even a little bit reformed in their theology.
“The battle is already won. So run, weary Christian. Run to your conquering King!”

[Katie Barrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book so much!

I would buy a hard copy of this (it’s “free” on KU) and keep it as a short & profound treasure alongside “The Spiritual Disciplines of the Christian Life”. I would absolutely read this again and answer the questions from each chapter thoughtfully. So glad I read this, at the very time I needed to. Only God can do that.

[jacob van sickle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Watchfulness is a spiritually invigorating exploration of the long-neglected spiritual discipline of watchfulness. I appreciate Hedges’ writing and his skillful use of Puritan quotations, which enrich the book with depth and historical insight.

[Daniel Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply excellent.

[Eliézer Salazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cuts deep in the soul and calls Christians to keep their eye on Jesus, by watching and praying. Every Christian must read this book.

[Hollie D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compilation of Puritan thoughts on watchfulness along with the author's commentary. Exhorting and practical.

[Katie Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredibly eye opening book. It’s practical, short and easy to understand, but full of deep truths about our need to be watchful as God commands us to in our daily lives as we wait for the coming of Christ. It shows the “what, why, how, when and who” of watchfulness from first and foremost Scripture - but also past believers such as Bunyan, Gurnall and Owen. It contains great thought provoking questions at the end of every chapter as well. Everyone should read this book and if you can, find someone to go through it and discuss the questions with you! 10/10 recommend!

[Iain Hamill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant little book. Very helpful, one I’ll be recommending and returning to. Also a reminder that I need to read Bunyan’s Holy War still.

[John Rakshith Prabhakar · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most vital read of the year!

[Reilly Irvine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so thankful that I came across this book. I had originally wanted to read a puritan book on watchfulness, but I don't regret turning to this modern-day look at the subject. Brian Hedges loves the puritans and their devotion to God; he has soaked up what they have to say and shares this treasure with his readers. He especially draws on Owen, as well as Bunyan and M'Cheyne, with lengthy quotes that helps you understand their view and passion for the subject. Yet all the while, Hedges keeps us in direct contact with God's written word.

Watchfulness is certainly a sad omission in the Christian life today. We ought always to be aware of our sinful tendencies - the snares of flesh, the devil, and the world - but we ought, even more so, to keep our eyes fixed on Christ. With watchfulness comes prayer. And we must search our hearts to know what situations make us weak and more prone to temptation.

There's a lot packed into this book, so I recommend everyone wanting to deepen their walk with Christ to "take up and read." Such a person is sure to walk away edified. Much thanks to the author!

[Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book Hedges outlines and recommends (as the title suggests) watchfulness, a spiritual discipline that has received very little attention since the time of the Puritans. He draws heavily from both Scripture and several post-Reformation pastors to demonstrate how important watchfulness is for the process of sanctification. The discipline seems to be rather an amalgam of several smaller disciplines with the unified goal of heightening the believer's awareness of his own sins, the temptations that surround him, and the God who forgives. I found the book very thought-- and prayer-provoking. I recommend it to any christian who feels the weight of their sin -- more so to anyone who doesn't feel the weight of their sin.