Nightly Prayer

     When we go to bed, our bodies relax.  Our mind wonders.  We go to bed and that is when we become the most vulnerable.  When we sleep we have no control over the dreams we have, anxieties that begin to plague you, or the quality of rest.  Some people wake up the next morning feeling more tired than when they went to bed.  

    Night time can become a time of dread for some people.  You can control what you eat and what time you stop eating, exercise, the night time routine, and the sleeping arrangements.  That is all good and it helps, but what we need to do is to go to God before we crawl into bed.  We need to make time with Him a part of the nightly routine.  

    Not everyone can have a meaningful devotion at night.  It can be harder to focus, but you can still pray.  Do the devotion when you are able to give Him your full attention, but don't stop talking to Him throughout the day.  In some cases, throughout the night.

    When you are hurting it is a good time to call out to God.  Pray to Him with expectation that He will resolve the issue and give you sleep.  Expect Him to listen and give you mercy.  When the pain seems all consuming turn to Him in prayer.  When you are in pain and tired it is a lot easier to sin than when you are standing strong.

    When you are lying in bed and sleep is far away, silent your mind and search your heart.  Talk to God while you lay there.  You will probably fall asleep during the prayer and that is okay.  The important thing is that you are trusting God to give you peace, joy, and safety.  The important thing is to communicate with God and trust Him to give you rest.

Psalm 4