Nighttime is usually a designated time for sleep and the recharging of our bodies and minds after a long day of work and other activities. Many people, however, have issues with sleep, and these issues are sometimes caused by thoughts of fear and worry. We have probably all heard of someone who often wakes up in the middle of the night worrying about something that is troubling him or her, and those who lose valuable sleep over these worries. Likewise, many have had trouble sleeping for fear of someone breaking into their home, or some other negative event taking place during the night. If you or someone you know has issues with fear or worry during the night, there is a solution to this problem. The solution is prayer!
I make it a priority to pray at various times during the day, and the time before bed is no exception. After all of the children have gone to sleep, and before I lay my very tired head down, I pray to God for protection for myself and my family as we sleep. No matter what happens during the night, I know that God is always there to help us, and has the best for us in mind. This prayer, like all prayers, gives me comfort and a feeling of peacefulness, which helps me in going to sleep because I know my Heavenly Father is watching over us always. These prayers help me from being afraid, which is like what King Solomon said in Proverbs 3:24-26, “When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.” Also, in Psalm 4:8, King David wrote, “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.”
Prayer can also help us during the night when it is a temptation to wake up and worry about various problems that we are facing or are anticipating in our lives. Worry is a symptom of a lack of faith in God’s ability to take care of us, therefore, we should not worry at any time. Instead, we should lift our burdens up to God in prayer, even in the middle of the night. The Psalmist says in Psalm 119:62, “At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.” When we lift our prayers to God, and lay our problems at His feet, we can go back to sleep having that sense of peace and relief that only faithful Christians can have, knowing that our God will take care of things in ways that are best for us. “I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me” (Psalm 3:5). “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
So, instead of spending the night covered in worry and fear, take a little time to say a prayer or two to God for help, and He will help you! Of course, you have to do your part and trust in Him to take care of you. Saying a prayer for help, but not trusting that God will help you will not get your prayers answered. God always hears the prayers of obedient Christians, and He always gives an answer in the way He sees best. “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him” (I John 5:14-15).
Even if you just have trouble sleeping for other reasons that do not include being fearful or worrying, pray to God for help with that issue, too! We should pray for everything of which we feel that we need help, no matter how little or big the situation is! Our Father always wants to hear from His Children! Sweet dreams to everyone, and may God bless you all richly as you serve Him! Good night!
-Brandi Gann
