Why Should We Both Stay Awake? - Your Nightly Prayer
Why Should We Both Stay Awake?
Your Nightly Prayer for Feb. 17, 2025
by Michelle Treacy
TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE
“Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.” - Psalm 121:4
SOMETHING TO PONDER
I love the Psalms because they do not reveal to us bible stories of those who have it all together, but often they reveal humans just like us who are struggling and need God to come and be present with them. That resonates with me in my life.
This Psalm was written by King David, a man who had profound highs and yet weighty lows in his spiritual life. He knew what it was to bask in God’s presence and also wonder where God was in different seasons. Psalm 121, added to 14 other Psalms, compiles what we know to be the Psalms of Ascent. It is possible it was sung by Levitical priests on their way to Jerusalem or by Pilgrims at the beginning of their pilgrimage.
However, whatever use it serves, I believe it was written as a cry from David to the Lord, a personal conversation and dialogue between them. Yet we have no idea what David was dealing with when it was penned.
This Psalm is written so simply that it needs no dissecting to be understood. The words are plain and yet the meaning is deep. As it opens, “I lift my eyes up to the hills, Where does my help come from?” The answer quickly follows, “My help comes from the Lord, the creator of heaven and earth!” Then, we go on to read all the ways the Lord helps us. He does so by watching over us, and He does so by not letting our foot slip, by being our shade in the sun, and by keeping us from harm. It matters not which hour of the day we are in or where our feet find themselves planted the Lord is attentively watching over His children and ensuring their safety both “now and forever more”
Whatever it is, friend, that keeps you awake at night, I urge you to consider handing it to the Lord again and allowing Him to deal with it. You can rest easy knowing the author of your faith, the creator God, the savior of the world, is watching over you and keeping you protected.
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Father God,
In this season, sleep feels like a distant memory. My circumstances are getting in the way of rest, and I know you are the God of rest, the God who initiated the idea of us resting. I struggle to find peace in my mind to shut it off and yet I know you are peace. So now in this moment I cast my cares once again on you and trust that you will be my peace. You will help me to have sleep that is sweet, just as is described in Proverbs 3.
In Jesus name,
Amen.
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
1 God does not sleep or slumber, he is not dozing or snoring, so rest easy friend because He is watching over you.
2 Our God is a creator God, and it is in Him we will find our hope and our strength, whatever it is that we face.
3 Consider this night something that you can thank God for, something that was
Photo Credit:©Unsplash/Alexander Grey
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