PRAYING TO SLEEP WELL

When I got back to Vancouver  a week or so ago from Ontario I had trouble sleeping for a few nights.  Maybe it was jetlag or just the backlash from the emotional roller coaster our family had been on with the death of my mom earlier this month.  In any case, I had trouble some nights getting to sleep.  I woke up often.  In normal times I have to encourage myself to get off the bed in the morning and in those days I knew between 6 and 6:30 that it was useless to lie on the bed any longer. 

I’m happy to say that things have sorted themselves out and I now need my alarm and a bit of “Get off the bed” self talk to get my feet to the floor around 7:30 in the mornings.

Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that we can all struggle with from time to time and some folks on a more regular basis.  It can sap our energy, our mood, our health, and our quality of life. 

The God who created us promises sleep to those he loves – that’s us.  There are lots of tips available to try to help us fall asleep: We can practice going to bed and getting up at the same time each day, exercising regularly, not napping after supper, not eating or drinking close to bedtime, avoiding caffeine etc. However, the “go to” method should first be to pray and ask God to give us the sleep He intends for us to have. 

In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for he grants sleep to those he loves.  Psalm 127:2

If something has caused us to be fearful, God promises us that we will dwell in safety. We can sleep peacefully because God will be awake to watch over us. 

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. He who watches over you will not slumber. Psalm 4:8, 121:3b

If it’s worries about the future keeping us awake, then God offers peace to us if we will pray and offload our concerns to Him. 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6-7

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the promise of sleep, healing , restful sleep.  We give our concerns, our worries, and our fears to You and ask You to take care of them through the night so we can rest and be refreshed.  We ask You to wash through our conscious, sub-conscious, and unconscious mind and cleanse us with the blood of Jesus so nothing can harm us while we sleep.  We will lie down in peace and sleep because You are watching over us.  Amen