Finding Peace When Sleep Won't Come
Your Nightly Prayer for Apr. 11, 2025
by Michelle Treacy
TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE
“My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.” - Psalm 63:5-8
SOMETHING TO PONDER
Often when we think about sleep deprivation, we think of the new parents whose little one keeps them awake, or those who worry in bed over teens who have not yet returned home. Maybe even the worrier, who just cannot settle nor rest. Today I would like to add to that list of insomniacs those who are fighting battles no one else sees. Those who are struggling and, in some ways, living in fight or flight. Those who are broken and unable to sleep, may be for safety reasons, because it is here that we take a peek into the life of David.
This Psalm was written by David when he was in the Judean wilderness running for his life. It is easy to say to some, “well count sheep”, or as we tell our 12-year-old little girl as the clock is striking 11 pm and still her eyes have not closed, “why not sing your favourite artists lyrics in your head”, because we know it will drown out her anxiety. But for David, sleep wasn’t evading him, it just wasn’t an option. For him, this was a life-or-death matter.
But I love that when sleep was impossible, that David used these wee hours of the morning to direct his focus. We read in verse 6 that he says, “I remember you on my bed and meditate on you in the watches of the night”. And so, I wondered today as I read those words, where is my focus when sleep evades? Do I intentionally bring my mind back to think on the things of God or do I just allow frustration in those wee hours, or that pain, or anger and annoyance to take hold?
What if we spent a few moments whether we lie on our beds, our friends couch, or maybe we are in a hostel, or a hospital bed or maybe the only bed we have is the back seat of our cars and maybe we lay there for just for a second or two and let our thoughts drift toward Christ. David is clear that his thinking of God is easy because of all the help God has been to him. But what if we were to do the same and intentionally think on God's goodness, what if we were to look back and see His hand? Maybe we would find ourselves saying as David “I will sing for joy”.
It’s easy to say these things, I know, a lot harder to put them into practice, but I believe the reason David meditated on God is found in Verse 8 where he writes “my soul clings to you”. A better translation is that would read “My soul is attached to you”. What incredible words. Oh, to have your soul recognise that it is attached to a loving God who upholds us whatever season we find ourselves in.
I will be practicing this, and I trust that you will also. Let’s pray before we look at three things to meditate on.
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Lord,
It is so easy at night to become frustrated and annoyed by the sleeplessness I face. Knowing tomorrow I must get up and work, fight, fend and maybe even look after another. The dawn breaks and my soul shatters at the thoughts of another day with no sleep. But Lord, I know you are the God of grace, and you pour grace out on your people to help them when they need it.
Help me, Jesus, to see these wee hours as a gift of grace where I can spend time with you, where I can meditate, pray, and hear your voice in the quiet hours when no one else needs me, and I can be nowhere else but your presence. Help me to refocus my attention to you.
In Jesus name,
Amen.
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
1. It is easy to say just meditation, But some would say: “what would I meditate on?” some would say. Well, Philippians 4:8 gives us a few ideas, it reads: “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” It is the good and pure and it is the holy things we should allow to fill our minds.
2. Sometimes refocusing our minds can seem silly. But what if we were to take a week or two and try this idea? Would we see a benefit? We are already not sleeping; we may as well redirect our focus. As David is writing this Psalm, he is recognising that nothing in life is worth anything if God is not in it with him. This is such a massive lesson for the Christian to see. Even sleep, it really is worth noting if God is not in it.
3. Praising God is an activity of the heart, and it should not be impacted by the circumstances around us. Rather, it should be the overflow of a soul that loves God and recognises His grace, or His mercy and His forgiveness to us. I know, friend, that hard seasons come, but do not let those steal your praise.
Photo Credit: © Getty Images/tommaso79
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