Sleepless nights are hard. Getting less sleep or interrupted sleep gets old fast. There’s something wonderful about a good night’s sleep. So much hinges on a good night’s sleep too.
Recently I’ve gotten off a medication that had caused me to sleep soundly. It’s not the reason I took it but it was a nice side affect. My body is trying to readjust to not having this extra help. The result is I’m awake 1-2 hours a night in the middle of the night.
This may seem unfortunate, but I’ve decided to use this time as a very important part of my prayer life. This time is mostly dedicated to praying for others. Lately I have received more than the normal amount of prayer requests. I think the Lord knew I had time now for praying for more, so He has increased the amount of people asking.
The requests came in like a flood in one day. So I bought a prayer journal just for prayers for other people. I needed to gather them from all the various places I had received them: text messages, Word Press communications, Facebook and Messenger.
When filling in the prayer book, I realized I didn’t know how I really wanted things laid out. I started writing a prayer request down, then I’d skip a couple lines and add the next one. When I got to prayer request number 3, I jokingly thought to myself, “this person needs a whole page.” Then it dawned on me, “hey, that’s a good idea, a whole page for my closest friends and ones I pray for most.”
I have a few friends that I pray for regularly. I wrote about my method for doing this in Praying for Friends. These friends get their own page. Other people who get their own page are family members and friends. Also, my friends who have ministries often request prayer for certain people or issues.
Now that I had that set up, you may be wondering, do I turn on the light in the middle of the night? No, because by writing their requests out during the day, I remember them better. And I trust the Holy Spirit will lead me on whom to pray for that night.
I do however use the prayer book to remember to respond back to the person to say I have been praying for them. I often ask how it’s going and a specific question concerning their request. Honestly, before the book, I would see the prayer request, pray, then forget to check in again. This is helping me be more accountable.
Dear Jesus, Not sleeping all the way through the night has been hard. I like to have a good night’s sleep. But I am thankful that during my night time awake time I can talk to you about my friend’s requests. It is an honor to bring those things to your throne in the wee hours of the night. This bad thing is turning into a very good thing.
God’s Word to us: I love when you bring me their requests. It shows you care deeply for them. I will answer from on high your requests. This little pocket of time is being used well. I will make sure you have people to pray for during your sleepless nights.
Bible verses talk about praying at night:
Jesus: “It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God.“
King David: “When I remember You on my bed,
I meditate on You in the night watches.“
Paul and Silas: “But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.”
I invite you to join me. When you have a sleepless night, instead of just lying there or worrying about something, decide to use that time to pray. Some nights I pray for family members living in my house. Some nights I pray for my body to be healed. I pray about each part that needs God’s healing touch. Other nights I pray for my goals. But most of the time, I pray for those who have shared their requests with me. This is the perfect time to do this.
I’d love to hear from you! In the comment section below, tell me what you do during a sleepless night. Does that make it better or worse?
Send me your prayer requests. I will pray for them.
Blessings.
Kim
Psalm 63:6
Luke 6:12
Acts 16:25
This is the source I found the All Night Prayer Bible verses from:
Source: https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/All-Night-Prayers