So many of us struggle with getting a good night's sleep. There are all kinds of remedies, some truly helpful and some just snake oil, but sometimes, no matter what you do, you just have one of those nights. Aaargh!
Instead of tossing and turning, growing increasingly frustrated as you watch the hours tick by on the bedside clock, why not try a different approach?
You may not be sleeping, but you can at least use the time constructively. No, I don't mean doing laundry, watching TV or catching up on Steemit.
Why not spend these 'wee' hours with the Lord? The hours between midnight and sunrise can feel very lonely, but did you know that all over the world, monks, nuns, and others are also awake praying and meditating? Why not join in?
TIME SPENT IN PRAYER IS NEVER WASTED
Remember, time spent in prayer is never wasted. You'll accomplish more in 5 minutes of prayer than you will in an hour of worry! There is also scientific research that suggests that deep prayer/meditation may have similarly restorative properties for the brain and body as sleep and that it may improve the quality of our sleep.
What is also very likely to happen is that, before you know it, you'll drift off to sleep, effortlessly.
Here are a few verses to get you started :
ARE YOU WORRYING OR ANXIOUS?
Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you. Peter 5:7
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep. Matthew 6:27
Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? Psalm 127:2
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns—and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Matthew 6:26
Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. Psalm 62:1-2
ARE YOU AFRAID?
You shall not fear the terror of the night nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the destruction that stalks at noonday - no plague or calamity shall come near your dwelling. Psalm 91
The angels of the Lord encamp all around those who revere Him. Psalm 34
Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I fear no evil for You are with me, Your rod and staff they comfort me. Psalm 23
Be strong and of good courage for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6
Behold I have given you authority to trample on serpents and scorpions and authority over all the power of the enemy so that nothing shall by any means harm you. Luke 10:19
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1;7
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid., trust in Me-(Jesus)- and in the Father. John 14:27
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4
I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety. Psalms 4:8
When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. Proverbs 3:24
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear... 1 John 4:18
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8;38
Nik Shuliahin on Unsplash
FEEL OVERWHELMED or DEFEATED?
For with God, nothing shall be impossible. Luke 1:37
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13
The God of Heaven will give us success. Nehemiah 2;20
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
Because of this, I say to you, whatever you ask for when you pray, have faith that you will receive it. Then you will have it. Mark 11:24
The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that revere him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.
Psalm 145:18-19
For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he says shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he says. Mark 11:23
In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Romans 8;31
IS YOUR MIND JUMPING ALL OVER THE PLACE?
Be still, and know that I am God Psalm 46:10
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3
Those who abide in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91 -
It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones. Psalm 127:2
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all. 2 Thessalonians 3:16
Samantha Sophia - Unsplash
So the next time you find yourself wide-eyed in the middle of the night, with worries and fears swirling around, start praying.
Remember what Jesus did in the desert when Satan tried to tempt Him? He responded with 'It is written', followed by Scripture.
After only 3 tries, the devil gave up and left! Then angels came and ministered to Jesus. Memorize some or all of these verses, or write them down and keep them near your bedside.
Start praying either aloud or silently. If a hymn or song comes to mind, that's good too, for as it is written, He commands His lovingkindness on us in the daytime and in the night His song is with us'.
Resist the thoughts that trouble you by focusing on the Word of God, and they will have no choice but to flee. Then you can get some much-deserved rest!
“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6:31
Alex Block - unsplash
REFERENCES
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3328970/
Front Neurol. 2012; 3: 54.
Published online 2012 Apr 18. Prepublished online 2012 Mar 26. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2012.00054
PMCID: PMC3328970
Meditation and Its Regulatory Role on Sleep
Ravindra P. Nagendra,1 Nirmala Maruthai,1 and Bindu M. Kutty1,*