The world is full of difficult news these days. Families are breaking apart, it’s more than difficult to get a new job and the political acrimony is beyond belief. I have been thinking about all these issues lately and admit that I am deeply disturbed by all the negative news, particularly as I get ready to sleep.
In fact, I was reading an article earlier today about a former senior executive who is no longer working, can’t find a new job and is living in his car with his dog. His savings are depleted and medical costs have overwhelmed him. He said that he hopes this only a temporary measure and he shouldn’t have to endure this more than a few months, but he acknowledges that the future is uncertain. This gentleman certainly looked the part of a senior executive and was eloquent in his quotes, but I was stunned that there are so many folks like this currently struggling – especially as winter approaches.
As I was thinking about this man, and praying for him as well, I had an unusual thing happen. A social media reel popped up in my feed. It featured an elderly nun who was speaking about prayer and our relationship with God. I couldn’t help but be impressed by her authenticity and sincere devotion to our Lord. She made a point of saying that every evening before we go to sleep, there are three things that we should include in our evening prayer.
First of all, this nun suggested that we should thank God for the day that we have been given. She followed up that we include the fact that God has given us large and small blessings, even in the midst of hardship. And we should thank God for guiding us and sustaining us throughout the day. That includes the blessings that we were unaware of or nearly missed.
Second, we should approach God with an attitude of depending on Him to handle our problems. It is important to turn over to our Lord the burdens, regrets and fears that we had today. We should also trust Him with tomorrow rather than heading to our rest with anxieties.
Lastly, we should pray for a deep sense of calm to quiet our minds. We should include that God will look over our families and ourselves during the night. Finally, we should acknowledge that as we sleep, God is awake and in control as we get our rest..
I have taken the liberty of including a prayer that includes these elements and might be of interest to you:
“Heavenly Father,
As the quiet hours of the night draw near, I come before you with a heart full of thanksgiving and gratitude. Thank you for the gift of life and for walking with me throughout the day. Thank you for your seen and unseen blessings, for the food you provided, the work I did and the people I met. Thank you for your constant protection, guarding my steps and keeping my family from harm. Thank you for your grace that sustained me, even in the moments that felt heavy or hard.
Lord, I ask for your forgiveness for any words, actions or thoughts that failed to honor you. Cleanse my heart and fill me with your peace. As I prepare to sleep, I surrender all my worries, trials and tomorrows into your hands. Fill my mind with your goodness, watch over our home and loved ones; and grant me a deep and peaceful rest.
All these things I ask in the name of your Son, the Risen Christ, Amen. “
Throughout the years, I have petitioned the Lord to assist me, been grateful for the day that He has given me as well as other expressions of thanksgiving and gratitude. But I fail to ask the Lord to allow me to sleep in peace and to look after me throughout the night. Yet, after listening to this person of God earlier today, I want to include the elements of God’s provision and safety during the night.
Therefore, our verse for tonight is a short one from the Psalms. The psalmist tells us, and the Lord, in Psalm 4:8, “I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.” What a great addition to my evening prayer.
My encouragement this evening is that God is always inviting us into a more intimate relationship with Him. And, for the most part, we are at our most vulnerable as we prepare to rest for the night. Therefore, my prayer this evening is that we will all be authentic before the Lord and not hesitate to ask for his protection and safety during the night as we rest in His peace. Have a great day, and night, in the Lord, grace and peace…