WHEN SLEEP WON'T COME - Christianity Today

During the latter part of my service in five pastorates, I developed a habit of sleeplessness in the middle of the night. As my responsibilities increased in larger situations, I felt I needed more than ever the refreshment that sound sleep brings. But to my disappointment I would become wakeful after four or five hours in bed and often would lie awake for an hour or two before falling asleep again.

In earlier pastorates I had experimented in getting along on less rest, trying both a couple of hours of study in the middle of the night or making myself begin my day at 5 o’clock in the morning. These experiments were never successful. Inevitably I dragged through a tired and tiring day.

I had to face my limitation. Others could do with less rest, but I needed about eight hours in bed.

As my habit of lying awake became pronounced, it occurred to me that if I couldn’t lick it, I could join it. I began to recognize that in the stillness of the night I could lie in bed but engage profitably in prayer, especially intercessory prayer.

My prayer began to take shape and method. The shape was simple: to use a short time for praise and thanksgiving, to confess my unworthiness and unprofitableness, and to take the rest of the hour for intercessions. The method was simple: each day had its own category of concerns.

¥ Sunday morning became the time to pray for ministers and churches with whom I had special acquaintance.

¥ Monday was working people. I prayed for servants of the community, city officials, policemen, and firemen, social workers, and public health nurses.

¥ Tuesday became the day of concern for heads of nations and world peace. Areas of war and lesser strife required special intercession.

¥ Wednesday was health day. I visualized in prayer all the hospitals I had known in my pastorates and asked; for the presence of the healing Christ through Christian doctors, nurses, administrators, helpers, patients, and visitors.

¥ Christian education and communication of the gospel by direct teaching, literacy efforts, Bible translation, magazines and books, radio, and television filled Thursday intercessions.

¥ Friday was marked by prayer for families I knew. This field was almost limitless, and I emphasized loved ones, friends, and acquaintances both generally and specifically when I knew of severe trials.

¥ Saturday completed the week. This became the day to obey the Lord’s command in Matthew 9:38, “Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” I thought of the need for witnessing Christians in all areas of government, industry, education, athletics, fine arts, and performing arts. I included all agencies committed to world evangelism.

I have used the past tense to describe what became a habit. I can put all of this into the present tense, for this is my continuing practice. It seems that without any effort before going to bed I know when I awaken what day it is and how my thoughts should move.

I do not think it is more spiritual to pray in the night than in the day. Some nights my thoughts are confused and broken; I trust the Lord to understand my limitations. I do not pray audibly. I know that “he who searches the hearts of men knows what is the mind of the Spirit” (Rom. 8:27).

There are two advantages to praying in the middle of the night. Quietness and absence of strain mark the hours after the first period of sleep. Also a feeling of a head start on the day prepares the way for the morning devotional use of the Bible.

After an hour or so of intercessory effort, I usually fall asleep again, and I have a strengthened sense that “underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deut. 33:27).

Cary Weisiger