Recently in Sleep Category

How can a young man keep his way pure?
  By living according to your word.

I seek you with all my heart;
  do not let me stray from your commands.

I have hidden your word in my heart
  that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:9-11

Our children need to be protected by God’s word when they sleep. We know this, at least in part, because Scripture promises it will offer protection while one is sleeping. By implication, those who do not seek the protection the Scriptures offer are vulnerable to spiritual attack during sleep. The question at the end of the last post was How do children acquire this protection? The verses above, from Psalm 119, are a good place to start.

When you walk, they will guide you;

when you sleep, they will watch over you;

when you awake, they will speak to you. Proverbs 6:22

On average we spend 1/3 of our lives sleeping. Sleep refreshes our bodies. A good friend of mine, a pediatrician, tells me that when we sleep our metabolism slows down so the maintenance functions of the body can be accomplished. Cell and tissue repair occur during this down time, rather than when the body is active and needing energy to do other things. Sleep is an amazing component of God’s creation of man. It is a daily reminder of our finiteness as creatures. God, our Creator, has no need of sleep and thus is able to constantly care for his people.

My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment,

  do not let them out of your sight;

  they will be life for you,

an ornament to grace your neck.

Then you will go on your way in safety,

and your foot will not stumble;

when you lie down, you will not be afraid;

when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Proverbs 3:21-24

Let’s review  this prayer for going to sleep.

I lie down and sleep;
       I wake again, because the LORD sustains me. Psalm 3:5

O Lord God, who has given man the night for rest, as you have created a day in which he may employ himself in labor, grant, I pray, that my body may so rest during this night that my mind cease not to be awake to you, nor my heart faint or be overcome with apathy, preventing it from adhering steadfastly to the love of you. While laying aside my cares to relax and relieve my mind, may I not, in the meanwhile, forget you, nor may the remembrance of your goodness and grace, which ought always to be deeply engraved on my mind, escape my memory. In like manner, also, as the body rests may my conscience enjoy rest. Grant, moreover, that in taking sleep I may not give indulgence to the flesh, but only allow  myself as much as the weakness of this natural state requires, to my being able thereafter to be more alert in your service. Be pleased to keep me so chaste and unpolluted, not less in mind that in body, and safe from all dangers, that my sleep itself may turn to the glory of your name. But since this day has not passed away without my having in many ways offended you through my proneness to evil, in like manner as all things are now covered by the darkness of the night, so let everything that is sinful in me lie buried in your mercy. Hear me, O God, Father and Preserver, through Jesus Christ your Son. Amen.

This prayer is taken from a collection of prayers by John Calvin recorded in The Christian Life, edited by John H. Leith.  The short prayer can have a tremendous impact on families. In the next few posts we will examine this prayer as it applies to young children, teenagers and yes, even to parents. But for now, read it carefully and thoughtfully. Ask God to help this be your prayer as you prepare for a night’s sleep.

May the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you.